How to Make Bubble Tea Tapioca Balls (Boba Pearls)

By Kat Lee

Boba tea by any other name…

Pearl Milk Tea, Bubble Tea, Tapioca Tea, Boba Tea, or in Taiwan, which is said to be the home country the drink originates from, they call it zhenzhu naicha — all these are different names that are essentially interchangeable for the same delicious drink.

Although Taiwan undoubtedly wins top slot for the boba capital of the world (with Hong Kong a close second), these cold beverages are a go-to option for millions across the globe; it’s enjoyed all over Asia, North America and Europe. Located in the United States myself, I’ve seen the growing popularity over recent years, with many new bubble tea shops often strategically placed near college campuses!

The recent history of bubble tea, and when boba really started to make a name in the beverage world, dates back to the early 1980’s, however, Milk tea had been known and enjoyed in Taiwan and East Asia long before that.

Bubble tea (in Chinese: boba nai cha) comes in a vast array of flavors (there are hundreds of different variations to how the tea is made up), but the foundation for the popular drink pretty much sticks to the basics. The main ingredients are : tea, milk, sweetener, and tapioca balls, also known as boba. The name Bubble Tea and Pearl Tea…