Bubble tea has been available for a while in Canada, but now its popularity is skyrocketing. What makes this drink so special, and what flavour should you try first? Get all your bubble tea questions answered.
What is Bubble Tea?
Originating from Taiwan, bubble tea, otherwise known as Boba tea, is typically made from milk, sugar, tea, and tapioca pearls. The result is a sweet, caffeinated beverage with an added textural component that people love. Bubble tea drinks come in many flavours, feature different types of tea — black, green, or oolong — and come with or without dairy, sweeteners, and those distinctive pearls. So, the flavour can really vary depending on how you prepare it!
Here is one recipe you can try at home, our Spiced Boba Latte featuring Monin Spiced Brown Sugar and oat milk:
Types of Bubble Tea
There are several ways you can create different recipes for bubble tea, from plain milk or Thai tea to fruity, alcoholic, or shaved ice bubble tea! Each ingredient lends itself to an endless variety of possibilities. The main ways to switch it up are in varying the three main ingredients: tea, milk, and bubbles.
Teas
Using different types of tea in bubble tea brings different flavours.
- Black tea is the traditional tea for Boba tea. Using different black tea blends, like Early Grey, can provide subtle variations in flavour.
- Green tea, including jasmine green tea or green tea powders like matcha, is another popular base for Boba tea.
- Fruit tea is often combined with fruit purees or fruits syrups to impart a sweeter flavour.
While most bubble tea has tea as the base, there are some versions that don’t have tea at all, including shaved ice and alcohol.
Milks
Bubble tea drinks typically contain milk or a milk alternative, providing that signature creamy flavour.
- Non-dairy creamers and milks, like almond or soy milk, are very popular in Boba tea drinks.
- Coconut milk lends itself to fruity bubble tea in particular.
- Sweetened condensed milk is used in Thai tea and is common in more traditional Boba tea options.
Not all bubble drinks have milk, such as certain fruit-flavoured bubble teas, but many do include that signature creamy element.
Bubbles
While the bubbles in Boba tea actually refer to the air bubbles formed by shaking up the drink, most people now refer to the bubbles as the pearls or boba found in the drinks. There are several options for this part of the drink.
- Tapioca pearls are the traditional and most popular chewy, textural balls in a bubble tea drink — in fact, many people just call them “boba.” They have almost no flavour, and are usually a dark purple colour.
- Popping boba are tapioca pearls that pop in your mouth and add a burst of flavour.
- Taro balls are made from the taro root, and can be added to taro root bubble tea or other drinks.
- Jelly cubes can provide a sweet or herbal flavour to boba tea, complementing green tea or fruity drinks.
This chewy texture is called “QQ” in Taiwan and China, and doesn’t necessarily have to bring added flavour. Additional mix-ins that provide flavour to bubble tea drinks range from fresh fruit and pudding to red bean and cheese cream.
12 Best Bubble Tea Flavours
As you can see, there are endless varieties of bubble tea flavour combinations based on the tea, milk and bubbles alone. Powders, flavoured syrups, and fruit purées also provide added flavour depending on the drink.
1. Black Tea
The original bubble tea flavour is black tea, milk, sugar and tapioca pearls, and is a must-try and must-have on any boba cafe menu.
2. Matcha
This bright green tea studded with tapioca pearls is visually appealing and has a sweet, grassy flavor. For quick and easy Matcha preparation, you can use Monin Matcha Green Tea Concentrate.
3. Jasmine
Using Jasmine tea provides a lighter, herbal, mildly sweet taste compared to matcha or other green tea powders. For the perfect sweetener to complement your jasmine tea, add Monin Honey Jasmine Syrup.
4. Mango
Mango milk tea has a fruity, tropical flavour that’s perfect for first-time bubble tea drinkers. Monin Mango Purée makes it easy to create mango milk tea in no time at all.
5. Taro
Similar in flavour to vanilla, this creamy, rich drink has a lovely purple colour and is a classic Boba flavour.
6. Lychee
Monin Lychee Syrup is similar in flavour to melon, providing a mild sweetness and slight tartness to boba tea.
7. Chai
Bubble Chai Tea takes your typical iced chai latte up a notch by adding those signature tapioca pearls to Monin Chai Tea Concentrate and your choice of milk or creamer.
8. Thai Tea
Thai tea Boba is a perfect twist on your traditional black tea version. Sweetened condensed milk and that signature orange colour of Thai tea provide a sweet and intense flavour. For a citrus twist, try adding boba to this Winter Thai Tea recipe.
9. Lavender
The floral notes of lavender play off of tea and lemon beautifully in lavender bubble tea. Get that balance of lavender flavour right with Monin Lavender Syrup or or Sugar Free Lavender Syrup.
10. Strawberry
Strawberry Bubble Tea is another flavour that’s perfect for Boba newbies. Monin Strawberry Purée blends easily with creamier bubble tea drinks, while Monin Strawberry Syrup can be used in shaved ice bubble tea drinks.
11. Passionfruit
The tropical flavour of Monin Passion Fruit Purée provides a tartness and tanginess to bubble tea that balances out the sweetness.
12. Black Sugar or Spiced Brown Sugar
With its rich caramel flavor and molasses-like texture, Monin Black Sugar Syrup adds delicious depth and complexity to bubble teas. While it tastes great added to a classic boba milk tea, it also pairs well with other flavors like strawberry. Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup is another delicious flavor in boba tea, adding just the right amount of spice and subtle sweetness to enhance any milk tea or bubble tea.
Flavour Your Bubble Tea with Monin
It’s easy to make a variety of flavourful bubble tea drinks with Monin flavoured syrups and purées. Whether you want to add Boba to your café or restaurant menu, or are looking to make bubble tea at home, you can rely on Monin for quality syrups and purées to add delicious flavour to your creations.
Check out our complete collection of bubble tea recipes here.
Shop our trending flavours and find the perfect addition to your next boba drink.
Planning to try these recipes at home?
Share your creations with us on Instagram (@monin.ca) and include the hashtag below for a chance to be featured!
