How Are Bubble Tea Pearls Made?

The pearls in bubble tea, also known as tapioca pearls, are made from tapioca starch, an extract of the South American cassava plant. To make the pearls, boiling water is added to the starch and kneaded to form a dough-like texture. The dough is then rolled and cut into small pearl shapes and added into a boiling mixture of brown sugar and water to create the end product.

How Are Popping Bubbles Made?

Another popular topping used in bubble teas are popping bubbles (popping boba). These do exactly what they say on the tin and ‘pop’ when bitten into, unlike tapioca pearls which are a chewy consistency. 

Popping bubbles are made using a spherification process that involves a reaction of sodium alginate and calcium chloride or calcium lactate. This process results in fruit juice filled “bubbles” that burst when pressure is applied to them.

What Are The Benefits Of Bubble Tea Pearls?

As well as being simply delicious, there are packed with a number of health benefits:

Suitable For Restricted Diets 

Tapioca is naturally gluten-free, so for those who are allergic or intolerant to wheat, grains, and gluten, they are a great choice! They are also dairy-free so suitable for those on a vegan diet too. 

Easy To Digest

Tapioca pearls are gentle on the stomach and easy to digest.

Source of Iron

Tapioca provides a source of iron which is essential for the production of haemoglobin. Deficiency of iron may cause anaemia resulting in shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain, especially in childbearing women.

Source of Calcium

Tapioca is also a source of calcium, which is important for strong teeth and bones. It also supports a range of other bodily functions, including:

• Blood clotting
• Communication between nerves
• Contraction and dilation in the blood vessels and muscles

One cup of tapioca pearls provides 30.4 milligrams (mg) of calcium.

Low In Salt

Tapioca is also low in sodium or salt, which too much of can cause high blood pressure and other heart-related problems. Tapioca provides only 1.52 mg of sodium in a one cup serving.

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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.

Order online with our exclusive Bubblebase app and earn 9 stamps free when you register! Or place your order through our delivery partners and get Bubblebase delivered right to your doorstep. 

For more discussions and tips from our bubble tea experts, check out our blog page.

Written by Kate, for Bubblebase.

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