Have you had boba tea yet? Maybe you call it bubble tea, pearl milk tea or boba milk tea. Either way it is a Taiwanese tea-based drink invented in tea shops in Taichung, Taiwan, during the 1980s. They sometimes call it “bubble” as that is an Anglicized imitative form derived from the Chinese boba meaning “large breasts,” which is slang for the large, chewy tapioca balls that are commonly added to the drink. Most boba tea recipes contain a tea base mixed with fruit or milk. There are the ice-blended versions which are usually mixed with fruit or syrup resulting in a slushy consistency. My favorite is coffee milk boba tea which is iced coffee with a lot of milk and the boba pearls.
Back before I accidentally deleted my personal blog I had a recipe I had written out with step by step instructions on how to make boba tea. As there are so many different version, like soup or salad, I will leave you to find a recipe that suits you.
Today, one can find shops entirely devoted to boba tea, similar to juice bars or coffee shops of the early 90s. Some of these cafés such as Tea Station use plastic dome-shaped lids, while other boba tea bars such as Anime Ramen serve it using a machine to seal the top of the cup with plastic cellophane. This method allows the tea to be shaken in the serving cup and makes it spill-free until you are ready to drink it. The cellophane is then pierced with an oversized straw large enough to allow the pearls to pass through.
Let’s back up a bit, yes, it is true. You suck the boba tea pearls right up through the straw and chew on them. They have the consistency of a Gummy Bear.
The basic idea is you get these tapioca pearls from the store and there are many different styles. When I make boba tea I will take the pearls and soak them for 24 hours in a honey, water, and sugar mixture before I add them to the drink.
Here is a before and after shot:
Like I said there are so many styles and ways to prepare boba tea it is impractical to say what is right or wrong. The best thing to do is find an establishment that sells it near you and try a few different styles. It is a super fun drink and always makes me smile.
Have you ever had boba tea? What style did you have and what were your thoughts on it? Where did you first learn about it? Let me know in the comments below. Would love to hear from you.
Nope, never had it. Heck, I’ve never even heard of it before or seen it on any of the restaurants I’ve been to.
Does sound interesting though so I reckon I’ll keep and eye out for it. Better be good though or you’ll be hearing from me lol
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Do you have a ChinaTown or AsiaTown or something like that near you? They may have a tea cafe there and most likely they will have boba tea. Here in Las Vegas we have places where that is practically ALL they sell. (A place is opening up near me called Cafe Teaze where they serve the drinks while wearing lingerie. Not saying I approve. Just putting that out there… LOL http://www.facebook.com/CafeTeaze)
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Actually we do Troy. I’ve actually written a post about it on my Scenic Adelaide blog http://www.scenicadelaide.com/2008/03/02/adelaides-very-own-chinatown/
Hopefully I will remember to check it out next time I’m down that way.
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Cool. Cool. Let me know what you think when you do.
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I tried it once, and wish the place stayed open long enough to have more, but alas it closed! Yours look yummy!
Perhaps should rewrite the recipe for you Jodi. That way you can make some yourself. Sadly I did not adhere to the advice from Leisure Suit Larry when he said ‘Save Early. Save Often.” Actually I was counting on my web host to do my back ups and they were not doing FULL back up so everything was lost when I agreed to override a previous version blah blah blah.
Anyway, in my recipe there was a secret from a Boba Tea Master. I suppose I should go visit him again and ask for permission to republish his secret. …actually it would just be an excuse to have some of his tea. 🙂
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very nice recipe..thanx for this sharing..it looks nice.
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Have you ever had boba tea? Let us know what you think.
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment
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It must taste good at all coffee milk tea boba iced coffee that is filled with lots of milk and pearls boba
Yes, it is delicious. My girlfriend does not like the pearls though. They have the sort of Gummy Bear consistency and she says it is weird for that to come up through the straw.
Try it and let us know ok?
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I am kind of new to your blog, but the blog has some seriously nice stuff that I found very interesting as well as informative.
Keep up the good work!
I think the generacion kpop use that
Been drinking boba since high school. Perfect combo of texture and flavor. Just don’t be fooled into thinking it’s healthy. It’s…sugar.
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For sure! Especially if you soak the pearls in honey water over night as I like to do. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. I appreciate it!
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I don’t like tea, but my boyfriend does… I’ll try to make him this one.
He is one of those healthy eaters and this is right up his alley.
Milk tea is very popular in Asea, especially for teenagers
It is delicious. Who can blame them?
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Love boba and yes, it does kind of taste like a gummy bear. I’ll have to make it at home sometime.
Let us know how it works out for you Kevin.
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A great article i love it.you are really doing very good job please keep it up.god bless you.excellent points you have made here.i loved it your post. Thank You So Much.
My pleasure. Glad you like.
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I have tested all coffee but first time testing boba iced coffee .When
i drink,feel better.I am thinking what i have missed.
Thanks for this posting.have a good day with boba iced coffee.
The stuff is indeed delicious. In fact, I think I may get some after work tonight.
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i had boba tea in Pasadena,CA. While i was on a date with my then GF, brings back so many memories
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That’s a nice addition for the smiles Troy. Boba tea is well loved due to its exotic and sweet flavor not forgetting the chewy tapioca. I loved the mixed fruit and loved it.