What is bubble tea?

By: Hayden Rawsthorne, chief bubble tea alchemist and head of sip-based happiness engineering

Bubble tea (Boba) is a drink that is fully customisable. Usually, you will have the option of flavouring, topping, ice or no ice and it can come in different sizes. The most often used toppings are called tapioca pearls, which are also known to be in many desserts. They are black and clear and very chewy, you suck them up with your straw.

Another topping is popping boba. Popping boba has different flavoured juices inside them like mango or apple and blueberry and cherry. Any kind of fruit you can think of is usually available…although obviously not every fruit.

New ones are added frequently, like dragon fruit and peach. You can choose either tapioca or popping boba, but you can also have both to try them together so the possibilities are endless.


Types of bubble tea

Bubble tea, with its many iterations, can take on any flavor you like. Tea houses often offer countless variations. Some classic types of bubble tea that can be found on most tea house menus include:

  • Milk tea: A refreshing combination of brewed black tea, milk, and (optional) tapioca pearls
  • Thai Tea: A strong black tea combined with sweetened condensed milk and studded with (optional) tapioca pearls
  • Taro Bubble Tea: Incorporates puréed taro, a purple root similar to sweet potato that has a toasty, sweet flavor
  • Fruit Tea: A fresh fruit-based tea with your choice of boba that is often caffeine-free

I have also prepared a list of fruit flavours that I recommend:

  • Honeydew
  • Lychee
  • Mango
  • Passion fruit
  • Peach
  • Plum
  • Strawberry
  • Avocado
  • Banana
  • Cantaloupe
  • Coconut
  • Grape
  • Green Apple
  • Jackfruit
  • Kiwi
  • Lemon
  • Pineapple
  • Watermelon

For a less fruity flavor, try these popular options:

  • Almond
  • Coffee
  • Ginger
  • Pudding (e.g., chocolate, custard, mango, or taro)
  • Taro
  • Barley
  • Caramel
  • Chocolate
  • Lavander
  • Mocha
  • Rose
  • Sesame

Why should people try it?

I just feel that it’s a completely fresh way to experience a drink especially because there are parts that require you to chew and pop and because it’s great for all ages. I’ve sold to children, teenagers, adults, older people and even a police man!

I’ve still not gotten a bad review, which I think is amazing. All kinds of people can try it and enjoy it. Also compared to a coffee or a milkshake it’s kind of cheap I sell my small for £3.50 and large for £4.50 and nobody has complained because coffee from Costa usually costs £5-6 pounds, which is silly because my mom makes coffee just as good for less.

My personal favourite

I love the mango flavour and I would choose it over any other flavours mainly for how well it pairs with its own mango popping boba, which is the best popping flavour.

At a horse-riding event a girl who had dropped her cup and lost most of her drink asked me for just the balls as a replacement instead of more of the drink which shocked me that she preferred the toppings over the drink, she still loved the drink but the toppings more, that’s like loving the cheese more than the pizza.

Bubble Tea Workshops for kids

If your children are obsessed with bubble tea, treat them to a hands‑on workshop where they can explore new flavours, toppings and fun combinations. Our chief bubble tea alchemist, Hayden Rawsthorne, and the Willow’s Earth party team are ready to bring the experience to you. Click here to book your workshop.

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