Does Bubble Tea Contain Gelatin?

As bubble tea has a gelatinous texture, it’s natural for you to wonder if it contains gelatin if you have an allergy that you need to accommodate for or your diet simply doesn’t allow for gelatin. 

In short, no, traditional bubble tea does not contain gelatin. This comes down to the fact that despite its jelly-like consistency, tapioca bubbles are actually made from tapioca starch, making them safe for you to consume.

On the other hand, gelatin is a protein that is ‘extracted by boiling the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin’ of cattle and pigs.

Popping bubbles are typically made with fruit juice, water, sugar, as well as plant-based Alginic acid, meaning that they are also safe.

That said, whilst bubble tea doesn’t contain gelatin, this comes with the caveat that some bubble tea toppings, such as fruit jellies, sometimes contain gelatin though they can also be made from agar agar.

As such, if you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, then you don’t need to worry about bubble tea containing gelatin provided that you are mindful when it comes to your bubble tea order. 

How To Order Bubble Tea If Allergic To Gelatin Or If You’re Vegan

To order bubble tea that is safe for you to drink if you have a gelatin allergy or because you follow a vegan diet you will need to consider:

1. Being wary of the toppings
2. The type of milk you opt for
3. The type of tea 

1. Being Wary Of The Toppings

First thing you’ll need to consider when ordering bubble tea if you’re either allergic to gelatin or you’re vegan is to be wary of the toppings.

While traditional bubble tea contains tapioca pearls that are safe to eat, once you add toppings, the water becomes muddier with regards to whether the bubble tea is safe for you to consume.

While some of the jelly toppings are safe to eat as they’re made out of agar agar, many of them are made with gelatin. For instance, grass jelly is safe for vegans to eat, but as some fruit jellies contain gelatin they’re often not worth the risk.

As such, unless you can confirm their ingredients, they should be avoided at all costs if you have a gelatin allergy or are following a vegan/vegetarian diet to ensure you don’t accidentally consume gelatin.

2. The Type Of Milk You Opt For

Next, if you’re vegan or plant-based, you will need to consider the type of milk you opt for as bubble tea is traditionally made with cow’s milk.

That said, in many bubble tea shops you can customise your drink and instead opt for a milk alternative as opposed to traditional cow’s milk.

This opens you up to the possibility of ordering many more drinks in spite of your allergy or diet.

The Bubblebase menu offers various types of plant milks, such as oat milk, that means you can customise your drink to perfectly fit in line with your allergy or lifestyle preferences.

We also offer various delicious flavors of fruit teas, which are perfect if you follow a vegan/plant-based diet.

Use our app today to order ahead of time, or order from one of our delivery partners, such as Deliveroo, straight to your door!

3. The Type Of Tea

Last, but by no means least, you will want to consider the type of tea that you order.

For instance, you’ll find as a vegan you have much more choices if you opt for bubble tea that is made with fruit tea. From passion fruit tea, to cherry tea, the options that are vegan and allergy friendly are endless, you just have to know what to order.

Remember that regardless of what type of tea you choose, remain wary of what toppings you’re choosing no matter what you’re recommended.

If you’re ever unsure on what to order if you have a gelatin allergy, or your diet doesn’t allow for gelatin, be sure to speak to someone at the bubble tea shop.

Hopefully this article has shown you that traditional bubble tea typically doesn’t contain gelatin, but you should be mindful when it comes to making your order.

We are Bubblebase: Wales’ first Bubble Tea Bar. We believe in using the best quality of 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.

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Written by Jemima Thomas for Bubblebase.

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