Boba is the name of chewy, bouncy tapioca pearls as well as the delicious drink that contains them. Learn more about boba, from its origins to the many varieties.

Boba, Explained

Boba is both the name of an ingredient and a drink that’s also known as bubble tea or milk tea. Boba is pronounced BOE-BAH.

Boba = Tapioca Balls

As an ingredient, boba refers to tapioca balls. The bouncy black balls, sometimes called bubbles, are made from tapioca starch that is extracted from cassava, a root vegetable that grows in tropical climates.

Tapioca balls are commonly referred to as “QQ” in Taiwan, a word used to describe foods with a distinctly springy texture.

Tapioca is originally white in color, but boba gets its black color from either brown sugar or caramel coloring. Because of their size and shape, boba is best enjoyed with a wide straw so each sip has some tea and tapioca bubbles. Tapioca balls are meant to be chewed instead of swallowed whole.

Boba = Drink

Another name for bubble tea is boba. Bubble tea is a beverage (usually iced) that contains boba and tea. It can come in creamy variations such as milk tea or as dairy-free fruit teas.

RELATED: 17 Delicious Bubble Tea Recipes

Boba originated in Taiwan during the 1980s.

Two rival teahouses claim they made up the beverage and have differing stories on how the pairing of tea and tapioca balls came to be. In one story, a teahouse owner added boba to a cup of tea after seeing them at a market. In the other, a tea room employee placed tapioca pearls meant for shaved ice into an iced tea.

RELATED: Bubble Tea with Cold Foam

Boba at Home

Both boba (tapioca balls) and boba (the drink) can be made easily at home using store-bought tapioca balls. Tapioca balls are packaged dry and are ready in minutes when cooked in boiling water. Once cooked, the tapioca balls can be added to any iced beverage (with or without tea) to make it a bubble tea.

Many boba shops use powdered tea and powdered milk but homemade bubble tea can be made by using brewed tea and refrigerated milk. Cooking boba in brown sugar can add an additional layer of flavor and sweetness to a drink.

My trick to making the best bubble tea is to serve the bubbles while they’re quite warm (but not burning hot) for the best chewy, soft texture.

Boba Recipes

Bubble Tea
Milk tea + Sugar + Ice + Boba

Brown Sugar Bubble Tea
Milk Tea + Brown Sugar + Ice + Boba

Jasmine Bubble Tea
Jasmine Green Tea + Milk + Sugar + Ice + Boba

Iced Coffee Boba
Iced Coffee + Milk + Sugar + Ice + Boba

Taro Bubble Tea
Taro Powder + Green Tea + Milk + Sugar + Ice + Boba

Strawberry Bubble Tea
Strawberry Syrup + Green Tea + Milk + Ice + Boba

Matcha Bubble Tea
Matcha + Milk + Sugar + Ice + Boba

Black Sesame Bubble Tea
Black Sesame Paste + Milk + Sugar + Ice + Boba

Related

• Butterfly Pea Flower Bubble Tea
• Oolong Bubble Tea
• Strawberry Matcha Latte Bubble Tea
• Thai Bubble Tea
• Purple Sweet Potato Bubble Tea
• Lavender Bubble Tea

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