What’s The Difference Between Boba Tea And Bubble Tea?

The answer is simple: there is no difference between boba and bubble tea. Both terms refer to the traditional Taiwanese beverage — zhēnzhū nǎichá (珍珠奶茶) — that is made up of tea, milk, crushed ice and caramelised tapioca pearls. Regardless of whether you refer to it as bubble or boba tea, both get their name from the tapioca pearls in the drink — named after their round shape.

However, we should note that if someone refers to “boba” on its own, this might be in reference to just the marble-shaped tapioca pearls, opposed to the drink as a whole. 

This is likely where some of the confusion lies and why people often mistake boba tea and bubble tea to be different drinks.

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Across the world, “bubble tea” seems to be the most popular name for the drink. However, there are disparities — in particular across America. According to research conducted by Asian Americana, on the East Coast, people more often call the drink bubble tea, whereas the West Coast will more often refer to it as boba.  

Other names for bubble tea include milk tea, pearl tea, tapioca tea and 泡泡茶; pàopào chá. You might also come across bubble desserts, referred to as “boba pudding” or “boba treats”, which consist of sweet snacks that are made with — or include — tapioca pearls.  

That said, these sweet snacks are a different animal to the drink bubble tea despite their similarities, and should be treated as such.

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Regardless of what you refer to bubble tea as, the drink is always shaken together and served with a "famously fat straw" to accommodate for the marbles of tapioca at the bottom of the cup. This way, you're able to drink and eat the tapioca pearls with no trouble.

Different Types of Bubble Tea

Although there is no difference between boba and bubble tea, there are different types of bubble tea available — some of which depart quite a bit from the traditional tea, milk and tapioca pearl beverage. Indeed, part of bubble tea’s allure is that it can be made in a near endless number of ways, for a near endless number of tastes.

Assam tea can be replaced with jasmine green tea, and alternative milks can be used instead of cow’s milk. Likewise, milk can be removed altogether to create a fruit tea — these are made from fruit and fruit juices, blended with ice, with popping bubbles or jellies added to the bottom. 

You can also replace tapioca pearls with other toppings, including basil seeds, fruit, grass or custard jellies, or popping bubbles. The latter, also known as popping boba, are made from seaweed extract and filled with a burst of fruit juice. 

The different types of bubble tea include:

1. Milk Tea: The most popular bubble tea, and a must-have for first-timers.

2. Tiger Tea: A sweeter spin on the traditional milk tea, made from tea, milk, crushed ice, tapioca pearls and caramelised brown sugar syrup.

3. Taro Tea: A combination of ground taro root, jasmine tea, milk, sugar and tapioca pearls.

4. Matcha Tea: Made from pure matcha tea or powder, mixed with a milk and pearls of your choice.

5. Fruit Tea: Made from fruit and fruit juices and blended with ice, instead of milk. You can also add popping fruit boba, in a flavour of your choice.

6. Milkshake Style: Chocolate, strawberry or banana mixed with the traditional tea, milk and ice base.

7. Bubble Coffee: The same as a traditional milk tea, but with coffee instead of Assam tea.

8. Yuangyang Tea Coffee: a popular drink in Hong Kong —  coffee and tea in one drink, available hot or cold.

You can also choose how sweet your drink is, and how much ice is in it, when you order.

While it's great that bubble tea menus are very varied and you can choose pretty much any flavour that your heart desires, it can feel overwhelming to make a choice if you've never ordered it before. xx

If you're unsure of which flavour to go for, be sure to ask for help in store to find out what they would recommend or to learn about any bestsellers.

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of bubble tea, and how it's no different to boba tea.

We are Bubblebase: Wales’ first Bubble Tea Bar. We believe in using the best quality ingredients to consistently serve our customers with a delicious range of drinks that have not only been created with utmost care, but also with the sharpest appearance.

Order online with our exclusive Bubblebase app and earn 9 stamps free when you register! Or place your order through our delivery partners and get Bubblebase delivered right to your doorstep. 

Check out our other article: Can you drink Bubble Tea the next day?

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