Tetley is spilling the tea on the Bubble tea trend
The Bubble tea trend has taken the world - and more recently South Africa - by storm.
Images supplied by Tetley Tea
The name itself is enough to inspire a reasonable amount of interest - so what exactly is Bubble tea?
Bubble tea, also known as Boba tea, is a drink native to Taiwan. It is made from a tea base (which can be black, green, or earl grey tea) and is usually mixed in a cocktail shaker with milk and tapioca pearls.
As it’s considered a trendy (and delicious!) beverage, Bubble tea bars have become commonplace in South Africa, with patrons enjoying the novelty of different flavours and variations, as well as the pearls (or Boba) which are drunk through a wide straw.
Some interesting facts about Bubble Tea
- The original tapioca pearls were made by extracting starch from the cassava root, a long plant that originates in Brazil. However, modern tapioca pearls are sometimes made from cornstarch or other starches.
- Bubble tea originated in Aichung City in Taiwan in the late 1980s and was first created by Liu Han Chieh. The popularity of the drink initially grew among students who would buy Bubble tea from street vendors as a replacement for breakfast or a snack.
- Bubble tea has many names, including pearl milk tea, tapioca milk tea, boba tea, or boba.
- Popular Bubble tea flavours globally are Tiger Milk tea, Thai Milk tea, and Lychee Fruit tea.
Commenting on the trend, Tetley partner dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, explained that, while certainly a delicious refreshment, Bubble tea should be enjoyed in moderation:
“Although the health benefits of the base tea are still present, Bubble tea itself provides very few health benefits, though its calories and carbohydrates can provide you with a boost in energy. Bubble tea recipes usually contain high levels of sugar, which means if consumed frequently may contribute to a poor diet.”
Taking this into account, Mapholi has shared a Bubble tea recipe that can be tried at home and can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Recipe for : Tetley Black Bubble Tea by Mbali Mapholi
For all those Green tea fans, Tetley Green tea influencer and fitness fanatic Carol Mkhize has developed a Green Bubble tea alternative.
Recipe for : Tetley Green Bubble Tea by Carol Mkhize
