National Bubble Tea Day: Celebrating with Bubble Tea Recipes & All-Natural Boba

Written on April 27, 2023. Posted in recipes, The World Of Boba.

What is National Bubble Tea Day?

National Bubble Tea Day celebrates the beloved Taiwanese drink that originated in the 1980s. Bubble Tea is also known as boba, pearl milk tea, or tapioca tea. It often contains tapioca pearls or boba. This refreshing & delicious drink has become a global sensation in the past few decades due to its unique texture, customizable flavors, and Boba-licious aesthetic.

When Is National Bubble Tea Day?

April 30th marks National Bubble Tea Day in 2023. This year is the 5-year anniversary of the holiday, as in 2018 it was added to the calendar by Kung Fu Tea of NYC. This day was selected because it was the day they opened their first tea shop in New York City.

BOBA BY THE NUMBERS

2018 – The first year of National Bubble Tea Day
2012 – The year when all 800 McDonald’s locations in Germany sold bubble tea
2 – The number of conflicting origin stories about bubble tea
4 – The number of ingredients used in Better Boba’s Tapioca Pearls

The History Of Boba

The original bubble tea contained hot Taiwanese black tea, tapioca pearls, condensed milk, and syrup. These days, bubble tea is commonly served cold, and with various teas and flavors. The tapioca pearls that make bubble tea so unique were initially made from cassava starch, a tropical shrub known for its starchy roots introduced to Taiwan from South America during Japanese colonial rule. Larger pearls from China known as pinyin quickly replaced these and are now the norm in most bubble tea beverages.

In the 1990s, bubble tea spread throughout Southeast Asia. In places like Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore, the bubble tea trend expanded rapidly among young people. It wasn’t uncommon for people to line up for more than thirty minutes to get a cup of the drink. As a result, boba mania has grown well beyond the beverage itself, with boba lovers inventing various bubble tea foods such as bubble tea ice cream, bubble tea pizza, bubble tea toast, bubble tea sushi, bubble tea ramen, etc.

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How to Celebrate National Bubble Tea Day?

Treat yourself or your besTEA to bubble tea!

If you are in the Portland area, like us: Stop by Cup & Cone, the home of Better Boba. All of our teas are brewed fresh with no powders or artificial ingredients. We will be offering FREE bags of better boba with the purchase of a fruit or milk tea. Quantities are limited!

If you are in Seattle, be sure to check out Seattle’s Second Annual Boba Fest located in the U District which is fast becoming the heart of Seattle’s bubble tea scene. Featured flavors will include:
- White Rabbit Candy Milk Tea from Oh Bear Cafe and Teahouse
- Pink Lychee Smoothie Topped with Cheese Foam from Don’t Yell at Me
- Ube Milk Tea from Sip House (we love Ube!)
- Honey Green Milk Tea with Pearls from Sharetea
- Assam Black Tea flavored ice cream with Boba topping from Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery

Learn a New Bubble Tea Recipe

Want to try the first all-natural boba? Sign up for our newsletter and receive a FREE bag of our classic Brown Sugar Pearls when you buy one. Buy Boba, Get BOBA. BBGB anyone? Mix the pearls with your favorite tea or try one of our expertly curated recipes.

Not thirsty? Remember, boba is not just for tea. Here are a few fun ways to incorporate boba into everyday snacks:

Boba Milkshakes: Blend vanilla ice cream, milk, and a handful of boba together in a blender until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy the chewy, creamy goodness!
Boba Popsicles: Add boba to a popsicle mold along with your favorite fruit juice or puree. Freeze and enjoy a refreshing, boba-filled treat on a hot day.
Boba Yogurt Bowls: Layer Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and boba in a bowl for a healthy and delicious breakfast or snack.
Boba Tiramisu: Add a layer of boba to your traditional tiramisu recipe for a playful twist on the classic dessert.
Boba Bubble Waffles: Mix boba into your favorite waffle batter and pour into a waffle maker for a fun and unique breakfast or brunch option.

So go ahead and get creative with boba in the kitchen! With its playful texture and versatility, the possibilities are endless.

Share With Us on Social Media

Share your love for Bubble Tea by tagging @thebetterboba on Instagram with your favorite Bubble Tea recipe. Our favorite recipes have the chance to win free boba! Use the hashtags below when posting.

#NationalBubbleTeaDay #BubbleTeaDay #BetterBoba #AllNaturalBoba

Boba History: Why It’s Here to Stay

Written on January 22, 2023. Posted in The World Of Boba.

Boba has many names and many meanings: bubble tea, milk tea, pearl milk tea, and even tapioca tea. The term “boba” is also used interchangeably, referring to both the tapioca pearls and the drink itself. Whatever the name, one thing is certain: in the past two decades, boba has become a worldwide phenomenon.

This increasing popularity is due to the unique texture, flavor options, and Instagram-friendly aesthetic. This delicious and refreshing drink is here to stay, and it is likely to grow even more popular in the next few years. According to forecasting reports, the boba market is expected to reach $4.3 billion by 2027. To better understand the factors driving this growth, let’s take a look at the history of boba.

The History of Boba

Boba is a popular Taiwanese drink often prepared with milk, tea, and chewy tapioca pearls. Customized with different flavors and toppings, boba is traditionally served cold but can also be enjoyed hot.

The history of boba dates back to the 1980s when tea shops in Taiwan began to experiment with new ways to make their drinks more interesting and appealing to customers. One of the most popular additions was tapioca pearls, which were originally used as a way to add texture and flavor to the drink. Over time, boba became increasingly popular and can now be found all over the world.

Why is Boba Here to Stay?

Boba has been around for over four decades and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s incredibly versatile and a great alternative to soda and other drinks with a high sugar content. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and there are endless flavor combinations. Most importantly, boba is just plain fun to drink! The tapioca pearls add an element of playfulness and make every sip an adventure.

What is Better Boba?

Better Boba offers an all-natural alternative to most mass produced boba in North America. There are no artificial ingredients, chemicals, or additives. We take pride in crafting all-natural tapioca pearls that are sustainably produced in the USA. Better Boba is easy to make at home and a unique way to celebrate a birthday or special event! Sip better. Choose better.

The Benefits of All-Natural Boba

Written on January 12, 2023. Posted in The World Of Boba.

Originating from Taiwan, Boba is a delicious and refreshing drink enjoyed for its sweet flavor and chewy texture. However, most packaged boba in North America does not mirror the natural, artisanal boba available in Taiwan. As global demand increases, simple ingredients are being replaced with preservatives and additives, limiting our retail options.

Better Boba is making an all-natural alternative to DIY boba.

All-natural boba is better for our bodies.

All-natural boba is 100% preservative-free, meaning boba lovers can enjoy all the flavor without absorbing harmful chemicals. Better Boba doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients or additives.

Almost all the packaged boba in the North American retail market is made with modified tapioca flour (tapioca starch). This means the flour has been treated with chemicals to change its structure and make it more resistant to breakage. Many of the nutrients are also lost during the modification process and there is a high risk of contamination.

No more stomach cramps!

Our research abroad found that as global demand increases, simple ingredients are being replaced with preservatives and additives, liming our retail options. Some consumers also can’t digest modified starches; the general complaint is stomach cramps and abdominal pain. (This does not apply to boba made in-house; just packaged.) By offering a natural alternative, we hope to expand the reach and celebrate boba in new markets.

Better manufacturing

“Better” also identifies our efforts to create a more sustainable manufacturing and distribution process. Additionally, Better Boba supports sustainable sourcing practices.

Our Mission at Better Boba

Better Boba is an-natural DIY alternative. We are committed to celebrating boba and its Taiwanese origins. Go beyond the tea and scoop on ice cream, fruit salad, yogurt bowls, pancakes, acai bowls, iced coffee, and cocktails. Boba makes so many sips and snacks better!