Is boba Korean or Japanese?
Is boba Korean or Japanese? WHAT IS BUBBLE TEA (BOBA)? Bubble Tea (also known as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, or simply boba) is a Taiwanese drink that was invented in Taichung in the 1980s. The tea is mixed with milk or fruits and topped off with chewy tapioca pearls. By the early ’90s, bubble tea became prevalent in Japan and Hong Kong.
Who invented bubble tea?
This sweet and refreshing beverage can be traced back to Taichung City in Taiwan in the 1980s. It was first created by Liu Han Chieh, who combined milk tea with black tapioca balls. The drink became popular with students, who would buy it from street vendors for breakfast or a snack.
Why is boba black?
To give tapioca pearls their dark color, brown sugar is added. The sugar gives the pearls a richer hue and adds sweetness. Because it gives them a more visible appearance and often a sweeter flavor, black tapioca pearls are commonly used to make bubble tea.
What are the balls inside boba?
So what exactly is it made of? Boba pearls are made of tapioca starch that comes from the cassava root, so compassionate customers can rest easy knowing that gelatin is not used in the making of these tiny balls of deliciousness.