What is bubble tea? Why is it popular? The pride of Taiwan that everyone must try.

How to make pearls in bubble tea?

How are the pearls (also known as boba) in bubble tea made? We make them from small balls of tapioca. The process is quite simple: mix tapioca and water into a ball, knead it again and again, then put it into boiling water. When the pearls float to the surface, it means they are cooked. The trick to keep the pearls from sticking together is to put them in ice water. The last step is to soak the pearls in brown sugar syrup, allowing them to absorb the sweet flavor of brown sugar and enhance their chewy texture.

Are tapioca balls, pearls, and boba the same? What are the differences?

In Taiwan, tapioca balls, pearls, and boba are all common ingredients found in drinks and desserts. Although their names might seem unrelated, all three are made from tapioca. However, there are slight differences in the ingredients and methods of preparation for tapioca balls, pearls, and boba, leading to noticeable differences in their appearance and texture. Tapioca balls are usually small and transparent spheres that can be infused with different colors or flavors and have a chewy texture once cooked. Pearls are sized between tapioca balls and boba, with a texture that's chewier than tapioca balls. Boba is larger than pearls, offering more bounce and chewiness, and adding boba to drinks can enhance the feeling of fullness. While some beverage shops offer both pearls and boba, it's important to ask when ordering to ensure you get the desired ingredient texture.

Features of bubble tea

Due to the use of tapioca, Taiwanese pearls are not only soft but also particularly chewy, offering a unique texture with each sip when paired with various teas or juices. Taiwanese people love to drink tea plus different flavors of seasoning, so that the pearl milk tea flavor is more rich and diverse, and the flavor of fruit juice is also very suitable.

Black sugar bubble tea making process

The tapioca used to make the pearls comes from the roots of cassava. Tapioca has the characteristic of hardening at low temperatures, so the pearls must be made fresh to ensure the perfect taste. The famous bubble tea store discovered the special viscosity of pearls to create various stunning visual effects of black sugar patterns, such as the tiger stripe patterns formed on the walls of the cups. This is one of Taiwan's most famous bubble tea innovations.

The secret behind the low cost of bubble tea

Opening a bubble tea shop doesn't require a high investment! This is because the equipment and materials needed to make bubble tea are quite simple. As long as you have the equipment to make tea, pearls and hot water, you can start your business. The design and decor of a bubble tea shop don't need to be extravagant, either. With an appealing brand image, delicious beverages, and the use of quality pearl ingredients, you can attract customers.

The culture of bubble tea in the era of social media

Bubble tea has become a trend on social media! This is because bubble tea is not only delicious but also particularly photogenic. Many people share photos of themselves enjoying bubble tea on social platforms like Instagram. These photos serve not only as a promotion of the tasty beverage but also as a symbol of trendiness. Even in Japan, where the culture traditionally does not favor eating or drinking while walking, the Taiwanese culture of handheld beverages has brought about a change.

Bubble tea phenomenon: innovation beyond coffee culture

Bubble tea has now become a global trend! It continues to spread, not only in Taiwan but all around the world. The boba ingredient is widely accepted by foreigners due to its unique texture, which brings a different cultural topic and enjoyment. As a Taiwanese, three cheers for bubble tea—a different kind of pride of Taiwan.

Conclusion

The culture of hand-shaken beverages from Taiwan has spread worldwide. For those interested in opening a beverage shop, finding a professional supplier of beverage ingredients is essential. You can contact SKYAURANT, as we have experience collaborating with various beverage shops, providing fruit purees, syrups, and beverage ingredients. We can assist in developing customized beverages, as well as creating new popular drinks.