The Best Bubble Tea Toppings

Just like you’ll find a huge variety of bubble tea flavours to choose from, there are also a wide selection of toppings too. But with so many out there, how are you possibly meant to know which ones are worth trying? This is where we can help! Keep reading to discover the 6 best bubble tea toppings and what they’re best paired with, for that perfect bubble tea experience! 

The 6 best bubble tea toppings are:

1. Tapioca pearls
2. Popping bubbles
3. Custard pudding
4. Grass jelly 
5. Basil seeds or chia seeds
6. Milk foam 

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1. Tapioca pearls

If you’re a bubble tea fan it should be no surprise to see tapioca pearls rank as one of, if not the most popular bubble tea topping. 

Tapioca pearls are a subtly sweet, chewy addition to your drink made from tapioca starch, an extract of the South American cassava plant. If you’re trying milk tea for the first time and want a safe option, we definitely recommend going classic and adding tapioca pearls to your beverage. 

Learn more about how tapioca pearls are made here. 

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2. Popping bubbles

Popping bubbles are another popular topping which do exactly what their name suggests - pop! Made from seaweed extract, popping bubbles are tiny balls filled with fruit juice that burst when bitten into and come in a variety of flavours such as apple, lychee, strawberry, mango, passion fruit, orange and much more.

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3. Custard pudding

Although it might sound like a strange addition to your beverage, custard pudding has become one of the most popular bubble tea toppings around. It is made from egg yolks, cream, and sugar and is typically paired with the creamier, more indulgent milk teas. Some bubble tea shops may also have flavoured puddings, like taro or mango pudding.

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4. Grass jelly 

If you’re looking to add some chewiness to your drink, jelly is a great choice. There are a number of different jelly flavours you can choose from, including coconut jelly and rainbow jelly, but one of the most popular types is grass jelly. 

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Grass jelly is made of the herb Chinese mesona and though its taste isn't particularly distinct or overpowering, it is usually steeped in brown sugar for a slightly sweet, herbaceous taste with a hint of mint. The consistency of this jelly is a firmer consistency than pudding and comes cut in cubes. 

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5. Basil seeds or chia seeds

Basil seeds and chia seeds are best suited to fruit-flavoured bubble teas. Both types of seeds have a great nutritional value and look pretty similar. But basil seeds are all black while chia seeds can be white, brown, grey, and black. 

When these seeds are soaked in liquid, they produce a slimy translucent topping. The seeds, however, remain hard in the centre, adding another layer of texture to your drink. 

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6. Milk foam 

Last but certainly not least, there is foam topping. Milk foam is by far the most popular foam topping, and is simply a fluffy foam that you can stir into your drink to add a light flavour of milk. Milk foam is salty, which contrasts well with the sweetness of milk tea, and the airiness of the topping adds another layer of texture to the drink.

If you decide to order a foam topping with your beverage, we recommend drinking it without a straw first. This way you get a mouthful of both the drink and the foam! 

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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. 

Written by Kate, for Bubblebase.

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