Wacky flavour and texture combinations made this Taiwanese dessert-like beverage so popular in the 2000s. It's possible that you've had a cup of this milky iced tea with strange gummy spheres at the bottom and that you're a fan, but how much do you really know about this Asian trend? In this comprehensive guide, learn about bubble tea from its origins to its most recent interpretation.

What is Bubble Tea?

Taiwan is the home of Taiwanese bubble tea, a tea-based beverage. Pearl milk tea, boba tea, and QQ are other common names for this amazing drink. The frothy bubbles that form when the drink is shaken to combine the tea, milk, and flavourings were the original inspiration for the name "bubble tea," but the tapioca pearls at the bottom of the cup have since taken on that moniker. The drink's original name was boba, but now the terms bubble tea and boba tea have been used interchangeably.

History of Bubble Tea

This drink, unlike many others, was first created in Taiwan in the 1980s. Tapioca pearls were first added to frothy tea drinks by a Taiwanese tea stand which saw an opportunity to create a novel and delectable beverage. These drinks were named "bubble tea" because of the bubbles found in both the froth and the pearls at the bottom of them. For many Asians, Bubble Tea has become "the drink" of choice.

Also Read: Oolong Tea Guide

What is the Taste of Bubble Tea?

Even though you can make bubble teas with a variety of flavourings, the classic flavour is black tea with milk cream and brown sugar tapioca. 

You'll also find fruit-flavoured bubble teas on the menus of most restaurants and cafes. You can try lychee, white peach, yuzu, and yakult, which are some of the most popular Asian flavours. Sweet taro, a purple-hued treat with a nutty, vanilla flavour, is also worth a sip.

In the event that you prefer to sip slowly and savour your drinks, ask for less ice so that the flavour of your bubble tea is not diluted by melting ice. And if chewy foods bother you because you have a texture sensitivity, don't fret! For a change of pace, you can now add anything from flavorful jellies to fresh fruit to ice cream to custard pudding to your cup of tea.

How to Make Bubble Tea?

Now that you know its history and some of the most popular flavours, it's time to make your own bubble tea. First, let us know some of the major ingredients you will need to make bubble tea. 

1. Sugar Syrup

When making bubble tea, a simple sugar syrup is a must. You can use it to sweeten your bubble tea as well as to soak the tapioca pearls. The best starting point is 250g white sugar and 250ml water, with sugar to water ratio of 1:1. Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, then lower the heat to simmer. Place the sugar syrup in the refrigerator to cool down. Soak 10-20 tapioca pearls in sugar syrup, and you'll have enough left over to sweeten your bubble tea drinks. If you have any sugar syrup leftover, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks and use it in your favourite cocktails. Prior to preparing your tapioca pearls, you'll want to make this in order to give the mixture enough time to cool down.

Also read: Matcha Green Tea

2. Tapioca Pearls

Bubble tea, for many people, would be incomplete without the chewy, gelatinous black marbles that are sucked up the straw while drinking the tea. These can be made at home using tapioca pearls that are quick to cook. To make tapioca pearls, you have to follow these steps:

1. In the first step, you have to boil the water. 
2. Add the pearls and wait for them to float to the top of the mixture. Simmer for two to three minutes with the lid on the pan. Place in a warm place, cover, and let sit for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. As they cool, the pearls will harden, so it's best to cook them until they feel a little softer than you normally prefer.
3. Allow them to cool in a bowl of sugar syrup after cooking. When the pearls have cooled, use them immediately.

Now that you know how to prepare the main ingredients of bubble tea let's check out the recipe for making the classic bubble tea. 

What is Bubble Tea Made of?

The major ingredients that are required to make a classic bubble tea are:

1. 2 black tea bags
2. 150ml milk
3. 450ml hot water
4. 120g tapioca pearls
5. 50ml sugar syrup
6. Ice

Also read: Chamomile Tea and Weight Loss

Steps to Follow:

Here are the steps that you need to follow to get the best classic bubble tea:

1. In the first step, you have to steep the tea in hot water and then leave it to cool down. Remove the tea bags before moving on to the next step.
2. Divide the tea evenly between two glasses, and then add milk and sugar syrup to your preferred sweetness level. Gently mix until a homogeneous mixture is achieved.
3. Using a spoon, divide the tapioca pearls evenly between the two glasses. To remove the sugar syrup from the pearls, use a slotted spoon.
4. At last, add a few ice cubes to your drink.
5. Your drink is ready to serve. 

Conclusion

So this is all you need to know about bubble tea and its origin and how to prepare it. So if you wish to enjoy an amazing drink, then follow the steps mentioned above and make the frothy bubble tea and have it with your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to drink bubble tea?

A. To enjoy the bubble tea, all you need is a large jumbo straw which is available at any boba cafe.

Q. Are the tapioca pearls used in bubble tea gluten-free?

A. Yes, the tapioca pearls used to make bubble tea are gluten-free. Cassava root, a tuber native to South America, yields tapioca starch, which is used to make the tapioca pearls. It is a gluten-free starch that can be used in place of wheat.

Also read: Black Tea Benefits