Bubble Tea: All You Need To Know About The Popular Taiwanese Tea
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The battle between tea and coffee lovers is common worldwide. Some prefer the comforting warm sensation of tea which has earthy, floral or fruity undertones. However, some opt for the rich and robust flavour of the coffee. Now, there has been a new inclusion in the beverage market, that is, bubble tea. 

For the unversed, the bubble tea Taiwanese recipe is made by blending tea with milk, fruits, and fruit juices. It is then enhanced by adding the signature bubbles – yummy tapioca pearls that sit at the bottom of the beverage. These fruit or tea infusions are either served hot or iced cold, according to the preferences. Bubble tea is served in see-through cups with fat straws so that you can sip the tapioca pearls also known as boba. It is called bubble tea both because of the tapioca balls and the floating bubbles created by the vigorous shaking involved in its blending.  

Origin  

Although, there is no solid fact about the invention of bubble tea. But, just like any other tea, it has a story behind it. It is believed that bubble tea made its first appearance in Asia in the 1980s. Taiwanese tea was picked up as a post-work drink and was also popular in hang-out places. This created a certain competition in the tea market domain and merchants started searching for more variations on their teas and beverages.   

It is said that a teahouse called Chun Shui Tang in Taichung began serving Chinese tea cold, adopting the ideal of Japanese-styled iced coffee. A few years later, Chun Shui’s product development manager, Ms. Lin Hsiu Hui was bored with a staff meeting, and at that very moment, she decided to dump her Taiwanese dessert called fen yuan which is a sweetened tapioca pudding, into her Assam iced tea and drink it. It was so good that they decided to add it to the menu and soon became the franchise’s top-selling product.   

Soon after seeing the success of the tea at this teahouse, the concession all over Taiwan started adding Tapioca pearls and different fruit flavours to the iced tea and the trend of bubble tea started. This tea has spread its wings to China, Australia, the United States, and now right here in the UK.  

Different Flavours Of Bubble Tea  

There are different flavours of bubble tea that you can enjoy. Check out the list below:  

Classic Milk Tea: This tea blends rich black tea, creamy milk, and tapioca pearls. Brewed black tea is sweetened with sugar or flavoured syrup and then combined with creamy milk to create thea smooth and velvety base. The addition of tapioca pearls adds a texture to the tea.  

Thai Milk Tea: This is a twist to the classic milk bubble tea. Originating from Thailand, this tea is known for its sweet and aromatic profile and is enhanced by the addition of spices such as star anise and cardamom.  

Macha: This is a popular choice for green tea lovers. The green concoction features the finely ground powder of premium green tea leaves, known as matcha, which imparts a rich and earthy flavour profile. The distinct taste of matcha is complemented by the sweet and creamy base of the milk.   

Mango Bubble Tea: This tea is made with a base of brewed black or green tea and infused with the vibrant flavour of fresh mango puree or mango syrup, imparting fruity goodness. The addition of milk creates a creamy consistency and tapioca pearls add a playful chewiness to every sip.  

Strawberry Bubble Tea: Bursting with fruity goodness, the bubble tea combines the sweetness of fresh strawberries with the creamy richness of milk and the tanginess of the fruit juice.   

How To Make Bubble Tea  

Ingredients:   

  • 3 tablespoon loose black tea  
  • 4 cups hot water  
  • ¾ cup cooked tapioca pearls  
  • Milk as required 
  • Simple syrup or sweetener of your choice  

Method:  

  • In freshly boiled water add the loose black tea leaves. Let the tea sit in water until it cools completely.  
  • Strain the tea into a pitcher. Divide the tapioca pearls into 4 glasses and add ice cubes to each glass.  
  • Pour 1 cup of the tea into each glass. Add 1.5 tablespoons of milk and 1.5 tablespoons of simple syrup into each glass. Stir and taste the milk tea. Add more milk or simple syrup to your taste.   
  • Serve the drink with a large boba straw.