Is Bubble Tea Actually Tea?

Yes -  bubble tea is a sweetened drink which typically consists of flavoured tea, milk and toppings. Bubble tea drinks feature many different types of tea and therefore come in a variety of flavours. 

The Different Flavours Of Tea

There are 4 main types of tea that are used to make bubble tea: black tea, green tea, oolong tea and fruit tea. 

Black Tea

Black tea, or red tea, as it is known in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, is the traditional tea used for bubble tea and the most popular type of tea used (especially earl grey), due to its bold, robust flavour. This is because when watered down with milk and ice cubes, the strong tasting tea retains its flavour. 

Black tea is a true tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Black tea leaves are allowed to fully oxidise before being processed and dried, which makes the leaves dark brown and gives the tea its signature flavour profile. 

Green Tea

Green tea, including jasmine green tea or green tea powders like matcha, is another popular base for bubble tea.

Green, black, and oolong teas all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, but are prepared using different methods. To produce green tea, leaves from the plant are steamed, pan fried, and dried. Green tea is not fermented, so it's able to maintain important molecules called polyphenols, which seem to be responsible for many of its health benefits. 

Oolong Tea 

Standard oolong tea is a popular option for bubble teas and usually tastes floral and fruity. Even if some oolong teas have a “grassy” flavour, the taste should be quite light. As mentioned above, it is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, and is created when leavesleaves are wilted in the sun and slightly bruised to create partial oxidation.

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Fruit Tea 

If you’re not feeling a milk-based drink, you can choose a refreshing fruit tea instead! Although they have ‘tea’ in the name, fruit tea is slightly different from other types of tea because it's simply not tea. Fruit teas aren't created from the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), but instead from plant infusion. It's simply dried fruits, sometimes with spices or flowers and added herbs. If fruit tea is prepared right, it should be naturally sweet and fruity, full of flavour. 

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Fruit tea is often combined with fruit purees or fruit syrups to impart a sweeter flavour, and available in a range of flavours, including: lychee, mango, strawberry, watermelon, guava, kiwi, grape and much more. 

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What Is The Healthiest Tea?

True teas (those that derive from the Camellia sinensis plant) are thought to be the healthiest tea, and include black tea, green tea, and oolong tea. 

Other than water, black tea is one of the most commonly drunk beverages worldwide and brings with it a number of health benefits. These include: improved gut health, improved heart health, lower ‘bad’ cholesterol, decreased inflammation, increased metabolism and lowered blood sugar levels.

Oolong tea is also full of a number of health benefits, including decreased inflammation, increased energy, improved brain function and improved dental and skin health. It may also help with weight loss. 

Research shows that the catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is what gives green tea many of its health benefits, which include promoting brain health, increasing fat burning, raising energy, decreasing risk of heart disease, and decreasing inflammation. It can also prevent the brain from ageing. 

Fruit tea is also packed with vitamins and antioxidants and is great for cleansing the body of toxins and keeping the immune system strong. In that sense, it's very similar to tea leaves, still having high levels of health benefits.

Learn how to make your bubble tea healthier here.

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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.

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The majority of our drinks and toppings are vegan friendly and gluten free. All of our fruity teas and the majority of the bubble tea toppings are vegan friendly and our milky flavours are suitable for vegetarians.

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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. 

Written by Kate, for Bubblebase.