It's just so good. Why Singaporeans love bubble tea Images adapted from: @xxyng92 (top left), Eatbook (bottom left and right) Come lunchtime, at precisely 12pm on the dot, a war cry is taken up among the knowing comrades of the office: “Who wants bubble tea?” The horde then descends upon the nearest stall, either from the Gong Cha-KOI-LiHO […] It's popularity spread from Taiwan, through to the rest of East Asia, then through to Southeast Asia, and from there, through to the rest of the world, to countries like Australia, the UK, North America, etc. It’s perfect for adventurous people. Oritea有茶. Here are a few reasons why people around the globe have come to love bubble tea. Also called Brown Sugar Bubble tea, Brown Sugar Boba Milk tea, and Tiger Sugar Milk tea. Around the world, tapioca tea is also known as bubble tea, pearl tea or boba. Turns out all four sides of the grater serve a useful purpose, Man's World Cup Final is ruined by penis shape on his chocolate bar, 6 Totally achievable food resolutions for 2021 that don’t include dieting, Here’s how you can create your own personalised family cookbook, How to master the art of roasting a chicken, 4 Ways I used meal planning to save money every month, Is your freezer a disaster? Smale said: “We took inspiration walking around China Town and were seeing ridiculously long queues of young people waiting for Bubble tea. Classic boba drinks feature tapioca pearls in a milk tea base with ice, often mixed with sugar or flavored syrup. Bubble tea is full of sugary ingredients, so it’s far from healthy. Bubble tea can give you instant energy. I’d been enjoying bubble tea for years while living in Asia, and hardly expected to find it in South Africa. Although boba came from Asia it quickly became popular amongst English speaking countries. And how has it maintained its popularity for almost 30 years? I first had bubble tea when I was nine – and this great love affair has seen me through the highs and lows in life. The basic one is the black pearl milk tea and the green tea milk (among them the Matcha is the most popular). And while this beverage is exceptionally “grammable,” there’s just one problem with this popular drink. Bubble tea, also known as boba milk tea or pearl tea, is a drink made from a range of fruity flavors or coffee or tea, sugar, and various toppings, including the ‘bubbles.’ The central ingredients in this tea are the bubbles or pearls or boba. Bubble tea (also called Boba tea) has been around for more than a quarter century and has earned a global position as a widely accepted tea. There’s a reason why bubble tea is so popular - it’s hard to pass up this sweet, ice-cold drink dotted with chewy boba tapioca pearls. Required fields are marked *. Make sure to shake it up (like you would a bubble tea) to disperse the cheeseyness throughout the drink otherwise you’ll be left with salty cheese to slurp up. The sweet taste of the tea paired with the chewy tapioca balls make up the unique element that boba provides. Whatever you want to call it – Bubble Tea, Boba Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, etc. So how did bubble tea—this chewy, strange, and foreign drink—become so successful? Aside from pearls, boba shops offer a wide variety of toppings like j. elly (of many flavors), chia seeds, creama/crema, aloe vera, and popping boba. In fact, Mcdonald's added boba to their menu in Germany in 2012. We’re here to give it a makeover with these 5 genius tips, 7 easy oven bakes that make great leftovers, What is the difference between butter and margarine? Bubble tea is in the same league as hawker-style fry-ups, albeit in drink form: easy to prepare and casual enough to consume any time of the day. Pearl milk teaBoba milk teaBoba teaTapioca teaPearl teaMilk teaTapioca pearl drinkMomiMomi milk teaQQ“The drink with the fat straw”, or any combination of the above. But regardless of your tea-drinking style, at some point, your mind will eventually drift to bubble tea. A Trend Once Missed Japan missed the boat on the first world bubble tea phenomenon perhaps due to the lost years after the economic bubble of the 1980s collapsed and with it, many people’s appetite for travel. Bubble tea is a popular drink that is high in sugar. Invented in the 1980s, bubble tea (also called "black pearl tea" or "boba tea") is a beloved Taiwan classic. Bubble milk tea is a local favourite that has become as ubiquitous as coffee. Fusion tea shop. 波霸" means "bubble big," but it also happens to be a slang word to represent a woman with large breasts. Oh, grate! I went with ‘a little.’ A customised, revitalising drink and meal in one. Geri Lavrov / Getty Images. Bubble tea is served in transparent cups with a fat straw so that - as you sip - the tapioca balls (also known as “pearls” or “boba”) come shooting up it and can be chewed as you swallow down the delicious liquid. The unusual combination of chewy tapioca and crunchy ice in a sweet beverage creates a distinct delight for the taste buds. However, since the invention of bubble tea in Taiwan in the 80s, the drink has evolved to include many flavours and textures. Bubble tea first became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s, but the originator is unknown. The trademark "tiger sugar" is coined because of the tiger stripes formation on the cup due to the brown sugar syrup drips. "Boba" itself refers to tapioca balls made from the cassava root. Bubble tea was first invented in Taiwan, during the 80s. The Introduction of Tapioca Tea in Japan. Visit eatout.co.za to find the perfect restaurant near you. Bubble tea or boba tea ( zhen chu nai cha) is a highly caffeinated, sugary drink characterized with the signature black tapioca bubbles or “pearls”. Bubble tea shops have become part of the tapestry in many North American cities, particularly those with large Asian populations, such as Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Toronto. That’s enough to have a different drink everyday for almost a year! Also known as boba, boba milk tea, pearl milk tea, tapioca pearl drink, PT, momi milk tea, bubble drink, QQ, boba ice tea, zhen zhu nai cha, BBT, and boba juice, it is thought to have been invented in Taichung, Taiwan around 1982. Since then, the popularity of boba has spread from Southeast and East Asian countries to mainly the US and Canada. READ MORE：EXOTIC AND WEIRD FRUITS PEOPLE EAT IN CHINA. The new milk tea boosted the popularity of his teahouse immensely and Lin Hsiu Hui, who was product manager at the time, created the pearls by combining tapioca ball and sweetened pudding with the iced tea. “Chinese now consume five times more milk tea than coffee. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(566301, '0922e4b7-54cb-4e7a-bc02-b107edca4838', {}); Julia Chang is a contributing writer for TutorMing. On my return, I was surprised to see that bubble tea spots had bubbled up all over the country. Lin Han-Chieh came up with the idea of milk tea after seeing how the Japanese added milk to their coffee. The pearl milk tea products attract a lot young female students, and over the years (with the young people becoming adults), this craze is also expanding among working professionals and men. So bubble tea, boba tea and pearl milk tea all mean the same thing. What’s not to love? In Japan, it is said to have become popular in the late 1990’s. When I first moved to Taiwan, I bought plain bubble tea. So what makes bubble tea still so popular? And again, there are many different flavors to choose from. This includes the exotic ones like taro, matcha, lychee, guava, passion fruit, and even avocado boba. Whether you’ve heard of boba from. People even have instagram accounts dedicated to boba and it’s aesthetic (@bobaaddiction, @livinthebobalyfe, etc.). They are cooked in sugar and water until they reach a chewy consistency. Now you can make your own mouth-watering bubble tea at home with real ingredients and a little know how! Around every corner in Bangkok there is a bubble tea stand, and in all the malls they take on the image of ‘high so’(Thai slang for upmarket) social meeting places with names like Koi, Kamu, ATM Tea Bar, Fire Tiger Bubble Tea and Osaka Milk Tea just to name a few. It's just so good. Back To TOC. From crowd favourites such as brown sugar boba milk and green tea/ oolong tea, to more exotic combinations of cheese tea or fruit tea flavours for the more adventurous tastebuds, bubble tea is always the perfect sweet treat for anyone and any occasion. You can have 300 different drinks (30 flavors * 10 toppings (9+1 option of no toppings)= 300). Part of the allure of bubble tea among Singaporeans is to be credited to its versatility. Super cute interior. Bubble tea shops started a trend by creating aesthetic drinks that encouraged customers to post their drinks on social media, which went viral and gained lots of attention. What Is Bubble Tea (Boba Milk Tea) And Why Is It So Popular? 3. Drinks like iced coffee or juice have the same constant texture, but with boba, the pearls offer a sort of “break” from the same boring consistency. The girl was in a diabetic coma for five days last month. Bubble tea is "my thing." The first tapioca balls used were very small, roughly pea-sized, hence the name "pearl milk tea." Boba first originated from Taiwan specifically in Tainan and Taichung in the 1980s. What Makes Bubble Tea So Popular? Most bubble tea drinks contain an iced tea base mixed with fruit flavour or milk, with small chewy tapioca balls. She is currently a rising high school junior in the Bay Area. It’s been over 30 years since the birth of the drink in Taiwan. We all love a good caffeine shot, and bubble tea is one of those go-to choices because of its price point which is slightly more expensive than a kopitiam, but less than a Starbucks. So, hop on the boba train today; You won’t be disappointed. And again, there are many different flavors to choose from. 1. Milk tea is popular in lots of places. Do you think only its attractive colors and numerous customizable flavors have made bubble tea this popular? And, boba shops like Boba Guys, Boba Bar, or Vivi Bubble Tea, have artsy wallpapers and backgrounds in stores that are great for instagram pictures too. So how did bubble tea—this chewy, strange, and foreign drink—become so successful? Patrick Yeh, founder of New York City-based Bar Pa Tea, said boba … That’s enough to have a different drink everyday for almost a year! Food. At Boba Guys’, a popular San Francisco boba chain, Strawberry Matcha is a bestseller. Literally translated, ". Bubble tea can be found nationwide, from mall food courts to the drink menus of high-end restaurants But its origins are in Taiwan. Mark Smale, owner of Tea & Bun, in Plymouth said he was surprised at how popular Bubble tea has been at the Asian food site. It was common and well-received in the US quite some time ago, out towards a decade ago now, and it has been quite popular in Thailand for around that time as well. This prevents leaking until you pierce the sealed top with a fat straw – which allows you to suck up the last of the delicious ‘bubbles’. Bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, or boba; Chinese: 珍珠奶茶; pinyin: zhēn zhū nǎi chá, 波霸奶茶; bō bà nǎi chá; or 泡泡茶; pào pào chá in Singapore) is a tea-based drink.Originating in Taichung, Taiwan in the early 1980s, it includes chewy tapioca balls ("boba" or "pearls") or a … What other drink provides this many foreign flavors? And at Happy Lemon, another popular boba chain, they have a whole series of salted cheese drinks. The social ritual that comes with bubble tea is a big part of its specific appeal, Wong adds. Boba tea was developed by Liu Han-Chieh and, 波霸" to denote the difference. It takes balls to drink bubble tea. The new milk tea boosted the popularity of his teahouse immensely and Lin Hsiu Hui, who was product manager at the time, created the pearls by combining tapioca ball and sweetened pudding with the iced tea. I wish bubble tea was more readily available in more places. But why is the tea product growing in popularity? It was so addictive and sweet, I thought I was going to get diabetes. What is it and why is it so popular? , sometimes referred to as Bubble Tea or Boba, is a Taiwanese drink combines milk tea with tapioca-type balls. Popping Boba is a little juice ball that has become increasingly popular along with the frozen yogurt craze.It is also known as Bursting Boba, Popping Boba, and Bursting Fruit Bubbles. In her spare time, she enjoys playing water polo, the flute, and watching Netflix. So, here it is: You probably can't find these in the States or other Anglo countries, but in East/Southeast Asia, we have cheese tea (芝士茶), proclaimed by many to be bubble tea's successor. Are There Any Benefits Of Bubble Tea? The original and most common "topping" is tapioca pearls. Later, a tea shop owner experimented with larger balls,  and used "波霸" to denote the difference. From crowd favourites such as brown sugar boba milk and green tea/ oolong tea, to more exotic combinations of cheese tea or fruit tea flavours for the more adventurous tastebuds, bubble tea is always the perfect sweet treat for anyone and any occasion. Most bubble tea drinks contain an iced tea base mixed with fruit flavour or milk, with small chewy tapioca balls. Shops generally have a wide range of flavors to choose from as well. EXOTIC AND WEIRD FRUITS PEOPLE EAT IN CHINA, watching Hillary Clinton drink boba for the first time, TutorMing Chinese Language and Culture Blog. Drinks like “blue galaxy boba”, from Vivi Bubble Tea, also have color schemes perfect for pictures as well. Bubble tea is "my thing." Whether you’ve heard of boba from watching Hillary Clinton drink boba for the first time, or just growing up with it, you know once you try it, there’s no backing out. Also known as boba, boba milk tea, pearl milk tea, tapioca pearl drink, PT, momi milk tea, bubble drink, QQ, boba ice tea, zhen zhu nai cha, BBT, and boba juice, it is thought to have been invented in Taichung, Taiwan around 1982. However, since the invention of bubble tea in Taiwan in the 80s, the drink has evolved to include many flavours and textures. Originated in Taiwan almost four decades ago, somehow boba tea went on to become mainstream popularity not only in Taiwan and China but all over the world. Unsurprisingly popular amongst Taiwanese Americans and other Americans of East Asian descent, it is regarded by many as a symbol of Asian American youth culture. When and why did boba become popular in the U.S.? So just what is the fuss about bubble tea? The number of stalls popping up in every neighbourhood makes it easily accessible anywhere you are. Let’s see why it became so popular in Japan, and what kind of tapioca tea Japanese people drink. Chewy tapioca balls in iced tea; doesn’t sound appealing? The social ritual that comes with bubble tea is a big part of its specific appeal, Wong adds. Leave me alone. And a black tea – the most popular variant, accounting for 78% of the tea drunk world-wide – results when the bruised leaves dry quite a long while before being finished in the pan. We spoke to a professional baker, You don’t need a fancy machine to whip up these refreshing no-churn ice creams. To be completely honest, a lot of people get boba simply for the aesthetic appeal (aka for Instagram). Well, not many – given its ingredients and composition. I'm thinking the reason why you can't find it in the States and other Anglo countries is because non-Asians cannot fathom the idea of "cheese" and "tea" belonging in the same beverage. Despite all the sugar, bubble tea is associated with a few health benefits. Technomic, a Chicago-based food-services industry consulting firm, estimates that there are well over 1,000 of these shops operating in the U.S. — most of them small regional chains. It’s now more popular than ever; indeed, the compound annual growth rate of the bubble tea market from 2017-2023 is estimated to be 7.3%. It was common and well-received in the US quite some time ago, out towards a decade ago now, and it has been quite popular in Thailand for around that time as well. Chorley in Lancashire got its first bubble tea bar in July. The balls are also known as pearls, so the Chinese translation of, This addictive drink has skyrocketed in popularity in the last decade and boba shops have even dubbed the “Asian Starbucks”. It’s been over 30 years since the birth of the drink in Taiwan. "Bubble milk tea started to blossom in Thailand early last year, and the popularity has sustained, as evidenced by long queues at bubble milk stores in … Why is it so popular, especially among the Asian crowd not just in Australia, but in Western countries in general? Leave me alone. A popular tea shop in China called Hey Tea starts with a milk tea like you would if ordering a bubble tea but then adds a thick layer of whipped cream cheese instead of tapioca pearls. And how has it maintained its popularity for almost 30 years? While bubble tea does contain a lot of sugar, it has been around since the 1980's after being invented in Taiwan, so in moderate consumption is definitely a treat! Dine in available. Bubble tea is full of sugary ingredients, so it’s far from healthy. Your email address will not be published. Pearl milk tea  (珍珠奶茶), sometimes referred to as Bubble Tea or Boba, is a Taiwanese drink combines milk tea with tapioca-type balls. Bubble tea is a drink made from tea (usually black tea), milk, syrup, and a special ingredient that captivates the hearts of Chinese people: tapioca pearls. Part of the allure of bubble tea among Singaporeans is to be credited to its versatility. "A lot of people when they see the toppings go 'Oh, that’s bubble tea!' I normally went with 25%. When I saw the English menu, I learned that you could specify the amount of sugar you want. The balls are also known as pearls, so the Chinese translation of 珍珠奶茶 is literally pearl (珍珠) milk (奶) tea (茶). Let’s see why it became so popular in Japan, and what kind of tapioca tea Japanese people drink. After the arrival of pearl milk tea to China, coffee has taken a backseat. Japan missed the boat on the first world bubble tea phenomenon perhaps due to the lost years after the economic bubble of the 1980s collapsed and with it, many people’s appetite for travel. Milk tea is popular in lots of places. Bubble tea is a drink that contains milk or tea, or both. Popping Bobas: film-covered fruit juice balls that burst in your mouth. People buying bubble tea at Gong Cha bubble tea … Leave me alone. Bubble tea is also known as 珍珠奶茶 (Zhen Zhu Nai Cha) directly translates to pearl milk tea, but is also known as boba tea in parts of the world. Located in the heart of Chinatown, … You can get bubble tea in South Africa at The Bubble Tea Company. There really is no other drink like it. And at Happy Lemon, another popular boba chain, they have a whole series of salted cheese drinks. At Boba Guys’, a popular San Francisco boba chain, Strawberry Matcha is a bestseller. Why is Bubble Tea so Popular? But regardless of your tea-drinking style, at some point, your mind will eventually drift to bubble tea. And while this beverage is exceptionally “grammable,” there’s just one problem with this popular drink. Much foreign food, fashion, and pop-culture trends are bought to Japan by enterprising trendsetters who emulate what they come across elsewhere. Bubble tea is one of those drinks you can easily get your hands on when the cravings hit. In fact, Mcdonald's added boba to their menu in Germany in 2012. Your email address will not be published. Aside from pearls, boba shops offer a wide variety of toppings like jelly (of many flavors), chia seeds, creama/crema, aloe vera, and popping boba. The Introduction of Tapioca Tea in Japan. Invented in the 1980s, bubble tea (also called "black pearl tea" or "boba tea") is a beloved Taiwan classic. Boba tea was developed by Liu Han-Chieh and Lin Hsiu Hui in Taichung[source], Taiwan during the 1980’s. Why “bubble”? Bubble tea is also known as 珍珠奶茶 (Zhen Zhu Nai Cha) directly translates to pearl milk tea, but is also known as boba tea in parts of the world. Originating from Taiwan, bubble tea can either be milk-based or tea-based – that is a drink consisting either of milk and tea or just tea. While western countries are immersed in the coffee lifestyle, … These delicious fruit or tea infusions can be served either piping hot or iced cold, making a delicious and ever-so-quirky drink and snack. I wish bubble tea was more readily available in more places. In 2017, the popularity of the tea-based fruity milk shoots off the road when it became accepted particularly in the west-with bubble tea shops like Gongcha reporting a huge boom in business. If you’re the math type, let’s say a shop has 30 flavors and 9 different toppings to choose from. It’s perfect for adventurous people. Why are beverages so popular ? Bubble Tea is taking the UK storm with operators such as Bubbleology and Chatime rolling out sites across the UK. Also, you could choose the amount of ice. This confectionery drink originated from Taiwan and quickly became famous worldwide, with queues lasting for hours. This addictive drink has skyrocketed in popularity in the last decade and boba shops have even dubbed the “Asian Starbucks”. Why Singaporeans love bubble tea Images adapted from: @xxyng92 (top left), Eatbook (bottom left and right) Come lunchtime, at precisely 12pm on the dot, a war cry is taken up among the knowing comrades of the office: “Who wants bubble tea?” The horde then descends upon the nearest stall, either from the Gong Cha-KOI-LiHO […] It relies on the 3 Cs: cheap, convenient, customisable. (Condensed) milk combined with tea and vice-versa drinks are often drunk by many Asians especially for breakfast … So without further ado, these 7 best bubble tea shops get our stamp of approval. Why is Bubble Tea so Popular? Boba or bubble tea is a tea based drink that is typically consumed with friends for a quick fix to your sweet cravings. And a black tea – the most popular variant, accounting for 78% of the tea drunk world-wide – results when the bruised leaves dry quite a long while before being finished in the pan. So how did Japan get left out of this trend 20 years or so ago, and more astonishingly, just why is it suddenly popular here for seemingly no good reason? It’s easy to be confused about bubble tea because the drink goes by so many different names depending where it is sold. Unique Taste, Texture, & Look. It’s now more popular than ever; indeed, the compound annual growth rate of the bubble tea market from 2017-2023 is estimated to be 7.3%. I was sceptical at first too, but there’s something novel yet practical about the squishy, chewy tapioca balls in cold, milky, sweet, flavoured tea that’s both thirst-quenching and hunger-busting. Bubble tea first became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s, but the originator is unknown. Where did bubble tea begin - and why has it become so popular - we deep dive into this chewy drink made for Instagram. The students tested five popular brands of bubble tea for their sugar content and found that two brands tested for incredibly high sugar content – Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea and Bubble Milk Tea ordered with 100 percent sugar which has 18.5 and 20.5 teaspoons of sugar, respectively. And if you love bubble tea so much, why not try and make it yourself at home? Huddersfield has Bubble n Shake, there is a mobile bubble tea van in Bristol, and it can be found in cities from Glasgow to Portsmouth. Around the world, tapioca tea is also known as bubble tea, pearl tea or boba. Food delivery services like Deliveroo, foodpanda and GrabFood all report statistics that bubble tea rank highly for their most popular orders in the past year. It’s easy to be confused about bubble tea because the drink goes by so many different names depending where it is sold. Bubble tea was invented in Taiwan, and the "bubble" part of its name refers to the froth you get from … Leave me alone. Bubble tea is a drink made from tea (usually black tea), milk, syrup, and a special ingredient that captivates the hearts of Chinese people: tapioca pearls. Top 10 Best Bubble Tea Shops in Bangkok. so I think that’s its defining factor." In addition, it’s great for when you’re on-the-go because most bubble tea bars use a sealing machine to put a flat cellophane seal over the cup. Boba (or bubble tea) has been a beloved treat for decades, originating in Taiwan. Boba has been consumed in the West, particularly the US, since the ‘90s. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bubble tea is "my thing." Bubble tea was created 40 years ago in Taiwan, although there are a number of rumours about who is the actual creator. Not only that but bubble tea is becoming more everyday with new shops opening all around the world. So, why is bubble tea so popular? or just growing up with it, you know once you try it, there’s no backing out. In Japan, it is said to have become popular in the late 1990’s. These captions and the number of participants show the attraction of bubble tea around the world. Thirdly, there has always been a strong “milk-and-tea culture” in Asia, and this can definitely explain why bubble tea is a hit among many Asians. A little smaller than the regular tapioca boba, the Popping Juice Boba is filled with fruit juice and and "pop"s when bitten into. Why are we so obsessed with this Taiwanese milk tea? You can have 300 different drinks (30 flavors * 10 toppings (9+1 option of no toppings)= 300). Literally translated, "波霸" means "bubble big," but it also happens to be a slang word to represent a woman with large breasts. And why else would boba stores make drinks like”Light Bulb Boba” or “Cotton Candy Boba”? 1 mo. The way the drinks look and tastes have become a social phenomenon that everyone wants to be a part of. is up to you! Boba tea was developed by Liu Han-Chieh and Lin Hsiu Hui in Taichung[source], Taiwan during the 1980’s. That's why you want to be a bit careful about drinking this popular drink. Lin Han-Chieh came up with the idea of milk tea after seeing how the Japanese added milk to their coffee. Copyright © 2017 TutorMing Chinese Language and Culture Blog. If you’re the math type, let’s say a shop has 30 flavors and 9 different toppings to choose from. Bubble tea is "my thing." Since then, t… Bubble tea consumption in particular, continues to rise at a high rate each year. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.