Different Types of Bubble Tea

There are several ways you can create different recipes for bubble tea, from plain milk or Thai tea to fruity, alcoholic or shaved ice bubble tea! Each ingredient lends itself to an endless variety of possibilities. The main ways to switch it up are in varying the three main ingredients: tea, milk, and bubbles.

Teas

Using different types of tea in bubble tea brings different flavours.

Black tea is the traditional tea for Boba tea. Using different black tea blends, like Early Gray, can provide subtle variations in flavours.

Green tea, including jasmine green tea or green tea powders like matcha, is another popular base for Boba tea.

Fruit tea is often combined with fruit purees or fruits syrups to impart sweeter flavours.

While most bubble tea has tea as the base, there are some versions that don’t have tea at all, including shaved ice and alcohol.

Milks

Bubble tea drinks typically contain milk or a milk alternative, providing that signature creamy flavours.

Non-dairy creamers and milks, like almond or soy milk, are very popular in Boba tea drinks.

Coconut milk lends itself to fruity bubble tea in particular.

Sweetened condensed milk is used in Thai tea and is common in more traditional Boba tea options.

Not all bubble drinks have milk, such as certain fruit-flavoured bubble teas, but many do include that signature creamy element.

Bubbles

While the bubbles in Boba tea actually refer to the air bubbles formed by shaking up the drink, most people now refer to the bubbles as the pearls or boba found in the drinks. There are several options for this part of the drink.

Tapioca pearls are the traditional and most popular chewy, textural balls in a bubble tea drink — in fact, many people just call them “boba.” They have almost no flavours and are usually a dark purple colour.

Popping boba is tapioca pearls that pop in your mouth and add a burst of flavours.

Taro balls are made from taro root and can be added to taro root bubble tea or other drinks.

Jelly cubes can provide a sweet or herbal flavour to boba tea, complementing green tea or fruity drinks.

This chewy texture is called “QQ” in Taiwan and China and doesn’t necessarily have to bring added flavours. Additional mix-ins that provide flavours to bubble tea drinks range from fresh fruit and pudding to red bean and cheese cream.