Bubble tea, or boba tea, is a Taiwanese drink that has exploded in popularity around the world in recent years. It’s a delicious beverage usually made from tea, milk, sugar, and of course… tapioca pearls! Occasionally various types of jellies and puddings can also be added for a little something extra.
With flavors ranging from melon to coffee to lavender to chocolate, bubble tea is sure to have a flavor that suits every taste. But… how do you choose from so many flavors? Well, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the 10 best bubble tea flavors to start your boba journey!
Classic Milk Tea/Brown Sugar
The masterpiece that started it all. The classic is made with black tea, milk powder, sugar, and of course, tapioca pearls. Its rich and creamy flavor combined with its smooth tea flavor is sure to send you straight to your happy place. For those who have a sweet tooth, order the brown sugar version for an even sweeter kick! If it’s your first time drinking bubble tea or you’re not feeling too adventurous, this is the perfect starter tea.
Mango
For those with a fruity palate and a tropical flair, this is the bubble tea for you. Mango, in our personal opinion, is best to drink in slushie form. Yes, they have bubble tea slushies! Or they can have the consistency of shaved iced depending on where you go. When it’s a hot, summer day, what could be better than a freezing cold drink that allows you to drift away to your favorite beach destination.
Honeydew
One of the most popular flavors worldwide, this melon drink is also amazingly refreshing in the blazing summer heat. It’s also the perfect way to mix drinking boba while also getting your nutrients! Although, many places will include a lot of added sugar, it’s a good idea to ask for it without. If you love fruit, this is your drink to start with. Be adventurous, and find out why this is the staple flavor of so many Asian households.
Thai Tea
Thai tea is sweeping the nation with it’s creamy, sweet uniqueness. The orange color comes from a special kind of tea called Ceylon tea, which is actually one of the most popular bases for iced tea in the world. Although sadly, the intense brightness of the orange might be from the help of food coloring (be sure to ask when ordering). Either way, this flavor brings the streets of Thailand directly to your mouth. The only thing better than Thai tea, is Thai bubble tea!
Taro
This fun purple drink is made from a slightly sweet Asian root called Taro. Don’t let the unique name or color scare you away, or you’re sure to regret it. Taro is difficult to describe but is often said to have a nutty, earthy, vanilla-esque flavor. Many people swear it tastes just like cookies and cream. You decide!
Strawberry
Bring back childhood memories with this fresh take on the simple but delicious strawberry milk. Slightly tangy but oh so sweet, strawberries are America’s best friend. Now in an even more interesting way. Slushie or liquid form, this bubble tea will leave you energized and satisfied for the rest of your day.
Chocolate (Preferably with Cheese Foam)
Who could say no to chocolate? If you are craving a liquid brownie, then you’ve found your match. While it’s quite different than hot chocolate, it still has that creamy, milky feel you may be going for. If you manage to find a shop that offers cream cheese foam, your tea will taste just like chocolate cheesecake. It’s perfect as an after dinner drink or dessert.
Passionfruit
An underrated flavor, passion fruit brings the tang we all needed to the bubble tea game. Another bubble tea flavor to take your mouth on an island getaway. Fruity and vibrant, this flavor is guaranteed to wake your taste buds in the best possible way.
Jasmine
Flowery, herbal, and mildly sweet? Jasmine is the perfect option for those looking for a stronger tea flavor. Often times, there are variations which include Jasmine green tea which is just as amazing, only a little lighter. This one is truly for the tea lovers out there.
Matcha
This delicious drink brings all the health benefits of Japanese-style green tea with the texture of bubble tea. Matcha is yet another Asian flavor that has climbed its way up in popularity around the world. It’s a powerful and herbal tea flavor that will please even the most distinguished palate.
Didn’t really enjoy it the first time around? Bubble tea can be made in many different ways with differing ingredients, so it can vary from place to place. Next time you’re in the mood for a new adventure, try a different place, a different flavor, different toppings, or ask to remove the tapioca pearls if that’s what’s off-putting. Everyone deserves to experience the rich, deliciousness of milk tea, bubbles or not.
Bubble tea can be a pretty daunting food to try, after all, there’s nothing else like it. So, we hope that you enjoyed reading about some of our favorite flavors and that it inspired you to try some on your own!
Here is a quick, short list of recommendations:
Vivi Bubble Tea (American chain)
T Baar (American chain)
Gong Cha (Asian, American, Canadian, and Oceanian chain)
Tea-Do (Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia chain)
The Alley (Asian, Canadian, French, Oceanian, Californian, and New Yorkian chain)
Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (Asian, American, Oceanian, Canadian, and Europian chain)
Kung Fu Tea (American, Australian, Canadian, and Southeast Asian chain)
Little Fluffy Head (Los Angeles Cafe)
Let us know your favorite bubble tea shops! Also, what’s your favorite summer foods that you’d like us to try?