Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, pearl tea, and tapioca tea – depending on what country you’re from, originated in Taiwan and has been growing in popularity worldwide.
The boba itself is made from tapioca flours or let’s say tapioca pearls and sometimes mixed with brown sugar or other ingredients like mochi/rice flour. Tea base for boba drinks are usually black or green tea, sometimes fruit flavors such as peach, lychee and strawberry can be added in customized options. Milk transforms it into the much creamier drink. And this is where the classic milk tea is made from – black tea with milk and boba pearls.
As boba tea becomes popular in the market, people are getting smarter as well. Now, boba tea blends in new different flavors and toppings. Best selling today is the Creamcheese series.
These days, there are a lot of boba tea retailers – the most famous ones being Kung Fu Tea, Cha Time, Gong Cha, Lollicup, and the newest contender – Tiger Sugar.
Is Boba Tea Good for you? Yes, it can be good for you, if you choose the right ingredients. Making this beverage at home by yourself is one healthier way to prepare. Just avoid adding too much sugar to it, as additional sugar is somehow unhealthy, it boosts the overall calorie count of the drink.
For more drink ideas, check out Thirst Quenchers on Amazon and Sugar-free Juices for Diabetes.
Benefits of Bubble Tea
Boosts Energy
Bubble tea like Green Tea or Black Tea helps you boost energy. If you do not want to drink with sugar, tea without sugar can provide you a kickstart to your metabolism.
Strengthens Immune System
Green Tea is one of the widely common flavors of bubble tea. It contains some ingredients like Catechins and Polyphenols that help you boost your immune system and some fruit topping over it makes it better.
Mood Enhancer
Every day may have various situations that can cause you to stress, and shift moods. If you need to keep a smiling face, as one of Boba tea benefits, take a sip and lighten up your mood. It reduces the tense muscles in your body. It also contains caffeine that refreshes the body, also contains antioxidants that can help reduce stress.
Where To Find The Best Instant Boba Tea?
While most people would argue that the best boba can only be found in retailers/stores, instant boba has grown in popularity these past years. You can go to a popular Asian grocery store and found some instant boba kits in the freezer section.
Some of the kits may require you to cook the tapioca balls first, but there are some ready-made boba balls that only needs to be warmed up with hot water on the stove or in the microwave for a few minutes.
Nevertheless, one can not argue that the popularity of these instant boba kits is here to stay because of its convenience.
Below are some of the boba tea kits that you can order online or find in the Asian groceries near you.
Best Instant Boba Tea
| BOBA TEA | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Boba bundle kit by Yulu Foods | 10/10 (Editor's choice) | |
| ULTIMATE D.I.Y. Bubble Tea Party Kit | 9/10 | |
| 3:15 pm Milk Tea | 8/10 |
Instant Boba Tea Bundle – Variety Pack with Authentic Tapioca Pearls
Quick-prep instant bubble tea bundle featuring multiple flavors and authentic tapioca pearls.
Kit includes:
- Instant flavored boba tea packets (assorted)
- Pre-packaged tapioca pearls (instant-cook)
- Wide boba straws
- Instruction leaflet
Direction to make:
- Boil or microwave tapioca pearls (per instructions, usually 2–3 minutes)
- Mix instant tea packet with hot water or milk
- Add pearls into cup, pour tea mixture over
- Adjust sweetness, add ice if desired
- Enjoy with wide straw
Ultimate Boba Bubble Tea Kit – Classic Flavors
DIY bubble tea set with classic flavors and tapioca pearls for at-home boba lovers.
Kit includes:
- Assorted flavored milk tea powders (classic, taro, honeydew, etc.)
- Packaged tapioca pearls
- Wide boba straws
- Measuring scoop
Direction to make:
- Boil tapioca pearls until soft and chewy (usually 5–10 minutes)
- Brew or mix flavored tea powder with hot water
- Add cooked pearls to a cup, pour in tea mixture
- Sweeten or adjust to taste
- Serve with ice and wide straw
3:15 pm Milk Tea
It is one of the best-selling brands of bubble tea on Amazon with a lot of 5 stars review. They provide you a box of black teabag where you can mix milk. It contains low caffeine as well.
3:15 pm’s milk tea packets are convenient and portable which makes them perfect for travel use as well. You can make both hot and cold teas with this teabag.
Kit includes:
- Milk tea bag
- Tapioca balls not included
- Straws not included
Direction to make:
- For Hot Tea:
- Place tea bag into a mug
- Add water according to taste
- Steep tea bag for some time at least 3-r mins. Shorter for milky and longer for less sweet.
- For Cold Tea:
- Place tea bag into a mug
- Add water according to taste
- Steep tea bag for some time.
- Add ice cubes
Source:
Assessment of microbiological and chemical quality of bubble tea beverages