Bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, boba tea, or bubble milk tea, is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s
. It typically consists of a tea base (commonly black, green, or oolong tea) mixed with milk or fruit flavorings and sweeteners, combined with chewy tapioca balls called "boba" or "pearls" that settle at the bottom of the cup
. The tapioca pearls are made from tapioca starch derived from the cassava root, giving them their distinctive chewy texture
. Bubble tea is usually served cold in a sealed plastic cup with an oversized straw that allows the tapioca pearls to be sucked up while drinking
. The name "bubble tea" originally referred to the frothy bubbles formed when shaking the drink but now commonly refers to the tapioca pearls themselves
. There are many variations of bubble tea, including milk teas and non-milk teas, with various toppings such as grass jelly, aloe vera, red bean, and popping boba
. The drink has become a global phenomenon, inspiring related snacks and reaching a market value of billions of dollars
. In summary, bubble tea is a sweet, tea-based beverage with chewy tapioca pearls, enjoyed worldwide for its unique texture and flavor combinations
