Bubble Tea, Photo by Scaredy Kat
A Fun And Flavorful Tea Variation
Bubble Tea is a novelty tea, often found in specialty markets. It is an interesting unique beverage which was first seen in Taiwan. The bubbles are tapioca balls that float in the tea. The tapioca looks like a bubble or a pearl at the bottom of the drink.
You will find two different types of bubble tea. There are fruit flavored bubble teas, and a milk flavored version. The Chinese name for this type of tea means Pearl Milk tea. More after the jump…
Bubble Tea is often drank through very wide straw to accomodate the tapioca balls. The balls can be sucked up along with the tea. Bubble Tea is popular with children because they like to use the straw as a “weapon” to spit the balls at each other.
Bubble Tea has only recently become popular, though it has been around a while. It was originally a mixture of ice or hot tea, tapioca balls, milk or cream and flavorings including honey. Since Bubble Tea contains less sugar than popular carbonated beverages or soft drinks it is considered a more healthy alternative for children.
More recent versions contain fruit flavorings such as peach, plum, raspberry, mocha, coconut, cinnamon and other flavors. These flavorings are added as syrups, powder or the pulp or juice of the fruit. The mixture is then shaken similar to a milk shake. Any tea shaken is considered bubble tea because bubbles form after the shaking process.
Tapioca pearls are made from the cassava plant. The pearls are boiled , then cooled. When cool, they are coated with honey to make a pearl with the consistency of a jelly or gum.
A popular variation uses a flavored jelly instead of tapioca. Fruit Flavored jellies, coconut or cognac flavors are popular.
Bubble Tea was first introduced in Taiwan in the 1980’s and its popularity has grown. It can now be found in the United States, in specialty shops and Asian markets and restaurants.
If you wish to make Bubble Tea at home, you can use iced tea, sugar, mint leaves and milk. The tapioca pearls can be bought in Asian grocery stores or on the internet. Boil the tapioca and add to the tea. You can add any variety of flavors that you like. Some people prefer a fruity version without any milk. Experiment and discover a recipe that you like.
