Do You Eat The Pearls In Bubble Tea?

The short answer to this question is yes. The pearls in bubble tea are entirely edible and safe to eat, and are what make drinking bubble tea a totally unique experience.

In fact, it’s important to remember that you should always chew the pearls in bubble tea before swallowing them. This largely comes down to the fact that whole pearls are more difficult and can take longer for your stomach to digest.

As such, you could end up with stomach ache as a result of swallowing the pearls before you have chewed them. Whilst it likely won’t matter if you accidentally swallow a few pearls whole, it’s best to sip your bubble tea slowly in order to give yourself adequate time to properly chew the pearls in your bubble tea.

Additionally, there is little to no point in adding pearls to your bubble tea beverage if you just want to drink the tea. 

This is why your bubble tea is served with a thick straw that allows you to drink your bubble tea and chew the delightful bubble tea pearls that add a burst of flavour simultaneously. 

What Are The Pearls In Bubble Tea Made Of?

The tapioca pearls in bubble tea, also known as bubbles or boba, have a jelly-like texture and are made with tapioca starch, making it completely safe for human consumption. 

On the other hand, popping bubbles are made from water, fruit juice, sugar, and plant-based Alginic acid, which also makes them safe to eat.

Whilst you might initially think that the pearls in bubble tea are only there for aesthetic purposes, they add a great flavour to the drink, too. 

At Bubblebase, we have a vast range of bubble tea flavours, as well as different bubbles and toppings you can add to your drink as a delicious treat.

The types of bubbles and toppings we serve on the menu at Bubblebase include, but are not limited to:

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1. Tapioca pearls
2. Popping bubbles
3. Fruit jellies 
4. Custard jelly 

1. Tapioca Pearls 

As mentioned above, tapioca pearls are made with tapioca starch. They have a chewy, gummy-like texture and offer a hint of caramel to any drink.

As such, they’re the perfect pairing with numerous bubble tea choices, such as traditional bubble tea or tiger milk tea.

2. Popping Bubbles 

Popping bubbles are juicy and delicious, and are wonderful in both milk and fruit bubble teas. 

They are filled with juice and are made with an outer casing that is designed to pop in your mouth, hence the name. 

No matter the type you opt for, popping bubbles add a burst of flavour as you chew, helping to compliment and bring out the flavour of the tea whilst also adding something unique to your drink. 

At Bubblebase we offer numerous flavours of popping bubbles, including strawberry and cherry to name a few, allowing you to try a huge variety of flavour combinations.

3. Fruit Jellies 

If you’re looking to treat yourself, fruit jellies are a wonderful option when ordering your bubble tea. 

With a more-ish, chewy consistency, fruit jellies are super sweet and are a great addition to bubble tea on their own or when paired with bubbles.

4. Custard Jelly 

Custard jelly is a silky smooth and sweet addition, and goes best with milk bubble teas. 

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, then our custard jelly isn’t a topping you’ll want to miss out on!

At Bubblebase, our toppings are served by the scoop and you have the option to add as many toppings as you wish to make your bubble tea the perfect drink. If you’re ever unsure on what type of bubbles to order in your bubble tea, then don’t be afraid to ask a staff member on what they’d recommend.

We hope this article has answered your questions about the pearls in bubble tea. 

We are Bubblebase: Wales’ first Bubble Tea Bar. We believe in using the best quality of ingredients to consistently serve our customers with a delicious range of drinks that have not only been created with utmost care, but also with the sharpest appearance.

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Written by Jemima Thomas for Bubblebase.

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