Not that long ago, tapioca (a starchy substance derived from the cassava plant) was living a quiet, semi-retired life in North America. Decades after achieving its Warholian 15 minutes of fame in the 1940s as the base of a polarizing pudding (one that’s been unfairly compared to fish eyes), tapioca’s popularity had been slowly waning…but then, everything changed.
As Eastern trends made their way into Western mainstream, tapioca was transformed from an old-fashioned dessert ingredient into the bouncy, sippable star of bubble tea: a trending treat that’s become a global sensation.
What exactly IS bubble tea?
Basically, bubble tea (also known as boba or milk tea) is a cold, refreshing mix of tea, milk, and sugar, poured over ice and finished with chewy tapioca pearls known as “boba.” But there’s a lot more to know.
The tea in bubble tea can take many forms—black, green, matcha, or beyond. The milk? That’s flexible, too…from classic whole or condensed milk to plant-based options like almond milk, coconut milk, or non-dairy creamer.
Then, of course, there are the pearls: typically made from tapioca, these little spheres are a mix of flour, water, and brown sugar, boiled to create a chewy texture. Though they start out flavorless, a soak in caramelized brown sugar syrup gives them their signature sweetness and deep, glossy color.
Not a tapioca fan? Not a problem. Many shops offer alternatives such as bursting boba: small spheres filled with liquid (often the juices of fruits like mango or kiwi) and coated with a thin skin (made from a seaweed extract called sodium alginate) that bursts when bitten.
From there, things get even more customizable. Toppings like fruit jams, sweet red beans or coconut jelly can turn your drink into a layered dessert. You can adjust the ice level, dial the sugar up and down, and…in some shops, walk away with your drink sealed under a layer of cellophane film, making it easy to carry without spills.
Oh, and the final touch? A colorful straw that’s big enough to accommodate tapioca pearls, bursting boba, or other ingredients.
Where did bubble tea come from?
Bubble tea traces its roots back to Taiwan in the mid-1980s: a time when teahouses had begun experimenting with different textures and flavors to create a more unique offering…and, as with many inventions, there’s a debate as to who came up with the idea of bubble tea first.
One contender is the Chun Shui Tang tea house in Taichung. Its owner, Liu Han-Chieh, encouraged his staff to get creative with different toppings and textures for iced tea. Legend has it that an unnamed employee added tapioca balls to a drink, casually birthing a phenomenon.
Another claim comes from the Hanlin Tea Room in Tainan. Its owner, Tu Tsung-he, reportedly had an “aha” moment after spotting tapioca balls being sold in sugar water at a local market. Inspired, he added them to tea, and helped spark a movement.
The two tea shops spent years in a legal battle to decide who was the real originator. In the end, a court decided that because bubble tea was never patented, it didn’t really matter who was first (a decision that probably satisfied no one).
Is It “Bubble Tea” or “Boba Tea”?
Well, there’s a story there, too. In Taiwan, the tea was originally called “bōbà tea,” after the name given to the tapioca pearls. Here in the United States, “Boba tea” is still the name you’ll hear on the West Coast. On the East Coast, “bubble tea” is the go-to.
How has bubble tea gotten so big so quickly?
You can credit a few different reasons for bubble tea’s popularity.
First, it’s delicious (largely because of all the sugar in it, but still…it tastes great).
Second, it’s got a uniquely satisfying combination of textures: smooth tea, rich milk, and chewy boba pearls (plus whatever else you’ve added in there).
Third, it’s beautiful. The bright colors and layered ingredients make bubble tea a feast for your eyes, as well as your mouth.
Finally, it’s interactive. You’re not just ordering a drink: you’re commissioning a creation as personal as your tastes.
After gaining traction in Taiwan and across Asia, bubble tea made its way to the West through Chinatowns and Koreatowns in major cities.
From there, social media took over, as users on TikTok and Instagram spread awareness by posting snaps of their bubble tea masterworks. Now, with global chains expanding rapidly, bubble tea is transforming from a trend into a staple.
So, how popular IS bubble tea?
The short, unscientific answer is: very.
Fortune Business Insights says that the global bubble tea market size was valued at $2.83 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed $3.03 billion in 2026.
According to my earnings-to-servings calculations, that dollar amount translates to something like 6 billion cups of boba slurped annually. Those little pearls are big business!
As for fan favorites, a few flavors bubbled to the top in 2025:
- Brown Sugar Milk Tea (rich, creamy, and indulgently sweet)
- Matcha Green Tea Boba (early, vibrant, and a little more of a wellness lean)
- Taro Milk Tea (subtly sweet with nutty notes and a striking pastel purple hue)
Is bubble tea healthy?
Here’s where things get a smidge complicated.
As you probably know, tea, by itself, is great for you. It’s rich in antioxidants called polyphenols that can reduce inflammation, fight cell damage, and help lower the risk of chronic diseases.
But the healthfulness of bubble tea depends on what you add to the tea.
Sugar is a big part of what makes bubble tea craveable…but too much sugar isn’t good for your body. The good news: a lot of shops let you control your drink’s sweetness level, and dial things back a little.
Then there’s the boba. Tapioca pearls are high in carbohydrates, which means they add to the overall calorie count as well.
So while bubble tea is undeniably delicious, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat. (But oh, what an occasion it is.)
Can you make bubble tea without visiting a shop?
I thought you’d never ask!
The answer is a firm, enthusiastic yes. If you don’t have a bubble tea shop next door, our Bubble Tea Set lets you whip up your own delicious boba drinks at home.
Besides one bag of tapioca pearls and four reusable boba straws, we’ve included two tins of our high-quality loose leaf tea.
Paris, Mike Harney’s homage to the City of Light, is one of our most popular and beloved blends worldwide. To create it, we start with a blend of three black teas, then add vanilla and caramel flavors, plus a hint of lemony bergamot…yielding a brew that smells like Earl Grey, while offering a sweet, caramel-like flavor with notes of black currents.
The other tea? Our Milky Oolong, a delightfully smooth and creamy brew with deep green rolled leaves that unfurl to produce a soft, pale green liquor. The inviting aroma is like that of steamed milk, while the flavors offer the silky sweetness of warmed milk and fresh cream.
But is it hard to make, you ask? It is not, I answer. And to prove it, I’m going to give you the step-by-step instructions for our kit.
BUBBLE TEA RECIPE
Making the Boba
- Use 1 packet of boba pearls for each cup of bubble tea.
- Cook our boba pearls in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Let the boba pearls cool, then empty them into your cup.
Now you’re ready to add the tea!
Making the Tea
- Boil water.
- Use 2 tsp of tea and 8 oz of water for each cup of bubble tea you want.
- Steep for recommended time, remove tea leaves, and let cool.
- Pour over boba pearls.
- Combine with milk (or the milk substitute of your choice).
- Add sugar (or your sweetener of choice).
- Shake with ice, insert straw, and commence sipping.
More of a visual learner? The video below should give you the gist in a brisk 42 seconds.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start experimenting with variations…and our Bubble Tea Recipes can help you on your way.
(Oh, and if you ever need more reusable bubble tea straws? We’ve got you covered…and you’ll find they’re equally suitable for sipping milkshakes or smoothies.)
Sip into Something More Comfortable
Learning about bubble tea is one thing. But tasting it? That’s where the fun really begins. The unique combinations of flavors and textures make it easy to see why this drink has captured so many hearts (not to mention tastebuds) around the globe. Happy sipping!
