Boba Tea vs. Bubble Tea: Understanding the Differences and Origins
When it comes to Taiwanese drinks, few are as globally beloved as bubble tea. But in some regions, people call it boba tea.
Are these two names referring to the same drink, or do they have different meanings? Let’s take a closer look at the history, terminology, and regional variations of this iconic beverage.
Where did boba originate?
Bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, is a Taiwanese originated drink that typically includes brewed tea, milk or non-dairy creamer, and chewy tapioca pearls. The name bubble tea comes from the frothy bubbles that form on top of the drink when it is shaken, not necessarily from the tapioca pearls themselves.
The term boba originally refers to the round, chewy tapioca pearls added to the drink. Over time, the word boba began to represent the entire drink in certain regions, particularly in the United States especially on the West Coast.
In Mandarin, boba can also be a slang term for large breasts, which is humorously connected to the large sized tapioca pearls that became popular in the 1980s in Taiwan.
People prefer different names at different times and regions, In Taiwan, people usually refer to "boba" as larger-sized tapioca. So, where did this name actually come from?
In the 1980s, two tea houses in Taiwan, almost same time, added tapioca pearls (made of cassava only) into milk tea. They were Chun Shui Tang from Taichung and Hanlin Tea Room from Tainan. Because the tapioca was round and translucent like pearls, they named the drink "珍珠奶茶," which translates directly to " pearl milk tea."
How to open a bubble tea shop?
source：http://www.hanlin-tea.com.tw/brands/
source：https://www.chunshuitang.com.tw/bubble-milk-tea/
Soon, this unique drink became popular in Taiwan. In Tainan, a small stall named "草蜢" was inspired by the figure of a famous actress at the time: Amy Yip, and called the drink "boba milk tea." Immigrants then took this drink and its name to various parts of the world.
As for why bubble tea looks the way it does now, with hand-shaking and sealed in plastic cups? still the 1980s, Foam Black Tea became popular in Taiwan. According to legend, someone saw bartenders using shakers and decided to replace the alcohol with black tea and add syrup and ice. Because shaking the mixture produced a lot of foam, it was called " Foam Black Tea." Compared to traditional tea houses where high-mountain oolong tea could cost thousands of NT dollars, this affordable drink was more popular with the public.
It gradually became a popular gathering spot during those years. In the late 1990s, some shops introduced automatic sealing machines to replace traditional cup lids, solved the problem of drinks often spilling due to various accidents. The sealed film would only be stick with a straw when the beverage was ready to be drunk, greatly improving takeout orders. From then on, takeout became mainstream for foam tea shops, and then, the rising bubble tea shops followed the same method as the foam tea stores, evolving into the feature they are today.
Who invented bubble tea?
Whether you call it boba or bubble tea often depends on where you are:
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In Taiwan, people typically say “珍珠奶茶” , which translates to "pearl milk tea."
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On the U.S. West Coast, “boba” is the most commonly used term.
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On the East Coast or internationally, “bubble tea” is more frequently used.
Despite the name differences, the drink is essentially the same. The base may vary milk tea, fruit tea, slushies, or even smoothies but the concept is shared: a flavorful drink with chewy toppings.
Hanlin Tea Room and Chun Shui Tang ended up taking each other to Taiwanese courts over the matter. After a decade of litigation, it was ultimately ruled as a new type of beverage. Neither party could obtain a patent. However, because of this, bubble tea was not subject to trademark and patent restrictions, which allowed it to become wildly popular worldwide and emerge as a representative Taiwanese beverage.
Curious about how bubble tea will evolve in the future? .
Unique boba tea culture：
While tapioca pearls are the classic topping, modern bubble tea now includes a wide range of options such as:
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Grass jelly
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Cheese foam
These variations have allowed bubble tea to evolve into a customizable and creative beverage enjoyed by people of all ages.
Bubble tea is more than just a drink it's a symbol of Taiwanese food culture and global youth trends. It reflects innovation, playfulness, and cross-cultural appeal. Whether you’re sipping boba tea in Los Angeles or enjoying bubble tea in London, you’re sharing in a global phenomenon born in Taiwan.
Boba tea and bubble tea refer to the same beloved beverage, with only minor regional or cultural naming differences. Whether you prefer calling it bubble tea or boba, you’re still getting the same fun, chewy, flavorful experience that has captivated the world.
If you’re considering opening a bubble tea business or adding boba drinks to your menu, choosing the right supplier is key. We offer high quality bubble tea ingredients from tapioca pearls to popping boba and available for OEM and global wholesale. Let us help you bring the authentic taste of Taiwan to your customers.