Move over, Champagne! There's another popular drink that's taken the world by storm: Bubble tea, also known as boba, is a refreshingly sweet tea-based drink that can be made in numerous ways with a diverse range of flavors. Let's delve into the background of this bubbly beverage and share a delicious bubble tea recipe using our Nerada Black tea.
Bubble tea goes by several names, including pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, tapioca milk tea, boba tea, and zhu naicha. It originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s and gained immense popularity in the 1990s, especially among young people in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Originally served hot, it's now commonly enjoyed cold.
What's in Bubble Tea?
Bubble tea comes in various varieties and flavors. It can be made with milk or without (non-milk teas), and there are even fruity, juice-based versions.
Base Ingredients:
- Tea serves as the base, commonly using black tea, green tea, or oolong.
- Milk options include regular milk, condensed milk, powdered milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk.
The Unique "Bubbles":
- The distinctive feature of bubble tea is the tapioca pearls (or bubbles), made from tapioca starch extracted from the cassava plant.
- These pearls start as hard, flavorless white balls but transform into springy, flavorful bubbles when cooked with flavored syrups.
Variations:
- Tapioca Pearls: The classic choice, providing chewy texture and flavor.
- Flavored Jellies: Alternative to tapioca pearls, available in various shapes and flavors like coconut, lychee, mango, and coffee.
- Popping Boba: Similar to tapioca pearls but filled with fruit juices or syrups, coming in flavors such as mango, passionfruit, melon, strawberry, kiwi, or coconut.
Classic Recipe:
- For a simple and traditional bubble tea, opt for a basic milk tea comprising black tea, frothy milk, ice, and tapioca pearls.
With so many options available, you can customize your bubble tea to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and textures to find your perfect combination!
