Discover the Wonderful World of Bubble Tea: Your Complete Guide

A delightful fusion of tea, textures, and tastes waiting to be explored

Introduction: More Than Just a Drink

Walk past any bustling street in London, Manchester, or Birmingham today, and you'll likely spot someone enjoying an eye-catching drink with those iconic dark tapioca or colourful popping boba at the bottom. Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, has transformed from a Taiwanese specialty into a global phenomenon that's captured the hearts (and taste buds) of the UK.

At TeaJoy, we're passionate about sharing the authentic joy of this delightful beverage while adding our own unique twist. Whether you're a bubble tea novice or a seasoned enthusiast, join us as we explore everything that makes this drink special.

What Exactly is Bubble Tea?

At its simplest, bubble tea is a tea-based drink that combines chewy tapioca or colourful popping boba with a variety of flavours and textures. The name actually comes from two different sources: the "bubbles" created when the drink is vigorously shaken, and the bubble-like appearance of the tapioca or popping boba that sit at the bottom of the cup.

A Taste of History: The Origins of Bubble Tea

Bubble tea's story begins in 1980s Taiwan.

Chun Shui Tang (Tea House)  in Taichung credits then-shop manager Ms. Lin Hsiu Hui for experimenting with adding tapioca pearls to her tea in 1985, the drinks became an instant hit.

The term "bubble tea" became more common internationally, while "boba" emerged from Taiwanese communities in California, where the drink's popularity skyrocketed throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Beyond Taiwan: Bubble Tea's Global Journey

From its Taiwanese origins, bubble tea began an extraordinary global journey. It first spread to Hong Kong and mainland China in the 1990s. The drink's popularity exploded across Southeast Asia before making its way to North American cities with significant Asian communities.

Here in the UK, the market is experiencing remarkable growth, with bubble tea shops "sprouting up overnight around busy tube stations, trendy high streets and at university cafés".

The statistics are staggering: on TikTok, the #BubbleTea hashtag has topped 8.3 billion views, reflecting the drink's massive appeal to younger generations who share their "boba moments" across social media platforms.

Why the World Fell in Love with Bubble Tea

What explains this global fascination with a simple tea drink?

Visual Appeal and Customisation

Justin Goes of Gong Cha notes that "due to its highly customisable and visual, Instagrammable nature, bubble tea is really appealing for Gen Z consumers". The drink lends itself perfectly to social media culture, with its layered colours.

The Experience of Drinking It

There's something uniquely satisfying about the textural experience of drinking bubble tea- the combination of smooth liquid and chewy tapioca or fruity popping boba creates a multisensory experience that ordinary drinks can't match.

Bubble Tea FAQs

How is bubble tea prepared?

Traditionally, start by brewing high-quality tea and allowing it to cool. The tapioca boba are cooked separately until they achieve their signature chewy texture. This process usually take around 1 hour and 45 mins. TeaJoy simplifies all cooking and brewing processes, all you only need to do is to add water and ice and you can enjoy bubble tea in 20 seconds!

TeaJoy simplifies this with our exclusive tapioca that doesn't need to be cooked. Perfectly portioned in a sachet. Simply squeeze the chewy pearls in brown sugar in your tea.

What are tapioca boba made of?

Tapioca boba are made from sweet cassava flour. Traditionally it takes around 1 hour and half to cook. TeaJoy’s instant tapioca requires no cooking and has a nice chewy texture with caramelly brown sugar taste. 

Pro Tip: watch out for tapioca boba made from partially cassava and part cornflour, they get really tough shortly after cooking. 

What are popping boba made of?

Popping boba are little balls filled with fruit juice and the shell is made from xanthan gum. 

Are bubble tea plant based?

Most fruit bubble tea is plant based and milk tea usually has dairy. All TeaJoy products are plant based unless stated otherwise.

Does bubble tea have a lot of sugar?

Bubble tea tends to have a lot of sugar. TeaJoy has a low sugar option in its cans, only 2g per 100ml.

Does bubble tea have tea in it?

Yes that's why it's called bubble tea! TeaJoy has a low level of tea to create a perfect balance of fruitiness and authenticity.

Does bubble tea have caffeine in it?

Bubble tea has tea in it and tea has caffeine. Fruit tea is usually made with jasmine tea and milk tea is usually made with black tea. If you are looking for lower caffeine, go for the fruit tea.

Is bubble tea a fad?

Bubble tea has been around since the 80s and has been in the UK since 2010. There are now more bubble tea shops globally than McDonald’s and Starbucks. Bubble tea is definitely not a fad and is sure here to stay.

Do you need a thick straw to drink bubble tea?

The short answer is yes, because you want to suck up the boba while drinking to have the full experience. 

Join the Bubble Tea Revolution with TeaJoy

Bubble tea represents more than just a refreshing drink - it's a global cultural phenomenon that brings joy. At TeaJoy, we honoured it's tradition using authentic Taiwanese ingredients adding our own commitment to quality, innovation, and joy.

Ready to discover your perfect bubble tea combination? Explore our drinks and get in touch today. Don't forget to share your TeaJoy joy with #TeaJoyMoments for a chance to be featured on our social channels!