Bubble tea craze: These are bubbles you should definitely burst

BUBBLE tea has suddenly become the preferred beverage for many across all age groups. Coming in an assortment of flavours, each filled with bubbles of flavour, it is fast gaining popularity.

Then, there’s also boba tea, which originated in Taiwan, made from freshly brewed tea leaves, milk and, of course, tapioca starch, which is the actual boba (the small black balls found in the tea).

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Sometimes, the two may be confused, but Bubble Up Bubble Tea owner, Jack Yu, says they are different.

“Firstly, boba tea or bubble tea is not made with tea bags but with freshly brewed tea leaves. There are many variations, but the key ingredient is freshly brewed tea. So as soon as we open our doors, we get brewing.

“Boba tea tastes like more of a tea while bubble tea is more a fruit tea. Boba, also known as tapioca, is a starch produced by the cassava tree. Bubble tea contains popping boba and comes in many flavours. Whichever one you choose to drink, it all comes down to preference and taste,” he said.

The tapioca is also freshly cooked every day. Nothing is pre-boiled in Yu’s store, and all products used are imported, except fresh fruit which is locally bought. Everything here screams ‘authenticity’.

He explained that the original boba tea has evolved over the years and now incorporates various new products such as bubble tea (fruit tea), matcha, snowflakes and much more.

The snowflake is somewhat of a dessert. It’s finely grated frozen and flavoured milk topped with bubbles and fresh fruit. Delicious!

There are also other products which contain jelly cubes, coconut and other yummy stuff. So don’t think that boba and bubble tea is just tea because it’s not. It’s a tea treat!

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