Originating in Taiwan in the 1980, the bubble tea craze has spread around the world. Also referred to as boba tea from the Chinese word bōbà, it makes an interesting alternative to the run of the mill soft drinks or regular teas around.
Who Invented Bubble Tea?
Some people believe it first created by Tu Tsong-he, the owner of Hanlin Tea Room of Tainan City in Taiwan, while others claim it was first developed by Liu Han Chieh. Who invented bubble tea is still a mystery but it’s popularity starting with students buying from street vendors has grown from Asia through America and Europe.
What is Bubble Tea?
The chunky drinks get their bubble name not from fizz but from tapioca pearls, adding a unique texture to this popular drink. Bubble tea can be made by blending tea with milk, fruit juices or fruit, appealing to all tastes, with the appealing pearls resting at the bottom.
How is Bubble Tea Served?
Bubble tea is usually served in a clear cup to show off its quirky look. Add a thick straw and you can suck up those tapioca pearls. This interesting drink can served both cold and hot, a great drink whatever the weather.
Make Your Own Bubble Tea
While you can now buy bubble tea while you’re out and about, it’s great fun to make at home too. Traditionally it’s made with black tea, whole milk and a sugar syrup but these days there are all kinds of variations. Flavour concentrates are a great way to add interest with everything from blueberry to kiwi and honey to golden honeydew if you prefer to go for something more fruity.
Cooking Boba Pearls
- Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add a sugar syrup or sweetener as it’s key to infuse into the tapioca pearls as they gently cook.
- Add the uncooked tapioca pearls to the boiling water and give them a stir. After a few minutes they’ll start to float.
- Once you get to this stage, remove from the heat, drain and allow to cool. They’re now ready to add to your bubble tea.
Healthier Bubble Teas
Bubble teas are sometimes considered unhealth due to the sugar syrup and calorie content but they don’t have to be. For a healthier version, cut out the milk and go for a herbal or fruit based bubble tea and sweeten with honey or sweeteners rather than sugar.
Bubble Tea Cafes
As the trend for bubble tea has grown, so have all the places you can go to enjoy it. If you’re looking for an unusual first date, forget going to your local pub and try out a bubble tea café instead.
Bubble Tea Hashtags
With the variety of colours and interesting bubble pearls, it’s not surprise that bubble tea is popular across social media. #bubbletea has close to 3.5 million posts on Instagram with #bubbletealover, #bubbleteatime and #bubbleteaaddict following quickly behind.
If you’re looking to get your perfect bubble tea photograph for social media, lighting plays an important role. Experiment with light from behind or the side to show off those tapioca pearls. Try taking photographs from different angles and placing props or having someone pose with the drink.
