In certain parts of the United States,
Bubble Tea, also known as Boba or Pearl Tea, has suddenly become
ubiquitous - following on its huge success in Asia. But bubble
tea's popularity has happened so fast, many don't know what it
is.
According to this CNN article,
the boba phenomenon began in one tea shop in Taichung,
Taiwan in the early 80s when a tea stand owner added tapioca
pearls or "boba" to cold, flavored tea. The tapioca used is
not like the tapioca many of us are familiar with from tapioca
pudding, but are rather big, black balls of chewy tapioca
(their taste has been compared to gummy bears). Because the
pearls are about the size of small marbles, the tea is usually
served with a gigantic straw to allow them to be slurped
up.
The tea is also flavored with a variety of ingredients -
fruits, chocolate, etc. - and often milk is added. Since coming to
the United States, many boba shops now serve bubble tea without the
tapioca, making it a flavored milk tea.
If you've tried bubble tea, let us know how you like it. And if
you'd like to try it at home, the EYB Library found 22 recipes -
check them out here.
