If you’ve ever looked at a boba shop’s menu, then you might have seen that there are different types of boba add-ons or toppings you can get with your bubble tea. There are classic toppings like regular boba pearls (tapioca pearls) and then there are newer and more interesting add ons like different types of jellies, red bean, custard and more.
The question of “which boba topping is the best” is very subjective, but “which is the most popular add on” is a different question. In this article, we will dive into what the most popular bubble tea toppings are! You won’t believe how many boba toppings there actually are.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Tapioca Pearls, Boba Pearls, Bubbles and More
Tapioca pearls are by far the most popular bubble tea topping out there, it’s really the go-to topping for most boba drinks. It’s even so popular you can get this on Amazon. This topping started it all and is the original topping enjoyed by many. One might say it’s the grandfather of bubble tea toppings!
These bubbles are made from tapioca starch and typically cooked in brown sugar to give its delectable sweetness! You can learn how to make brown sugar syrup to soak your boba pearls here if you’re interested.
If you’re not already familiar with boba pearls, then here’s a quick rundown! Bubbles are typically chewy and squishy in texture, have a sweet taste, and are usually brown (however, this isn’t always the case!)
If you’re curious about how to make your own tapioca pearls at home, then check out our article on how to make boba pearls.
Egg Pudding for Boba and Bubble Tea
Pudding, not your childhood pudding, has recently become a fan favorite of many. It is possible for the pudding to come in a variety of flavors, we’ve encountered taro and even flan flavored puddings in our Boba!
The egg pudding topping for bubble tea is usually made with whole milk, non-dairy creamer, lactose-free milk, and sugar. It is usually paired with more specialty types of drinks.
Some boba shops near you may refer to pudding as “custard” and usually they are the same thing! Is anyone familiar with “dan tats”?
Popping Bubbles or Boba Pearls
Popping boba and regular boba share only one commonality and that’s their shape. Other than that, popping bubbles and regular bubbles are very different toppings from one another!
Unlike the tapioca-based chewy bubbles, we mentioned above, popping bubbles burst with flavored juices. Typically the flavors for popping boba are fruit flavored but we’ve seen coffee and yogurt popping boba (the sky is the limit when it comes to the types of flavors you can get with popping bubbles!)
If you haven’t already, try some delicious pop boba tea or pop jelly bubble tea at least once! You never know, you might really like it. If you’re making boba at home and want to have some popping boba, have a look here on Amazon. (We’re just as surprised as you that they have this).
Popping boba is usually really great because once you pop one in your mouth you’re pleasantly surprised with a refreshing splash of flavor! Some of our favorite popping bubble flavors are mango, strawberry, and blueberry!
If you’re curious to know, popping boba has a unique texture. On the outside of this boba topping, you’ll find a thin gel-like exterior that encloses whatever juice flavor you choose. When pressure is applied to this gel-like skin, the bubble bursts and juice is released!
Jelly for Bubble Tea
Different flavored jellies are another EXTREMELY popular boba topping!
The flavor of jelly really depends on where you go, but there are so many different flavors! Some that we have tried include the following.
- Aloe Jelly
- Fig Jelly
- Lychee Jelly
- Herbal Jelly
- Strawberry Jelly
The list just goes on…
The team at Talk Boba likes to get jelly as a boba topping for our fruit-flavored drinks. It really adds an extra element of delicious fruity flavor!
If you’re lucky, then your local boba shop might even make the jelly fresh which means that you’re getting one of the freshest and healthiest boba tea toppings!
Beans in Boba or Bubble Tea?
Yes, we said that right! Beans are actually another very popular bubble tea add-on. We know, it sounds kind odd and almost nasty, but it really isn’t! We’re not talking about Bush’s Baked Beans here…
The types of beans that are used as boba toppings aren’t your typical beans. They are usually sweetened red beans and mung beans, both of which are considered to be great dessert toppings in Asian culture.
Red bean is also known as adzuki bean and is made of dried red beans and sugar to give it a sweet taste. People typically describe red bean as having a grainy texture and being sweet, creamy, and earthy in taste.
Mung bean, also known as green bean, has an extremely similar texture and flavor profile as the red bean.
There are actually many benefits of getting bean toppings for your boba! For example, beans are rich in fiber and protein! So if you’ve never tried red bean or mung bean in your bubble tea, then we recommend you give it a try! It’s delicious and healthier than other boba toppings.
There you have it, five of the most popular bubble tea toppings that you should definitely try if you haven’t already! Any of these toppings is sure not to disappoint!
If you’ve already tried these boba toppings, let us know what you’re favorite one is below! The majority of the time we stick to the traditional boba pearls but what do you like more?
Remember, just talk about boba, duh!
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