Bubble Tea is the name given to the wide variety of refreshing flavoured fruit teas and milk teas served ice cold or piping hot with chewy tapioca balls that you suck up through a big fat straw! Yum – It’s like a quirky snack and drink in one! The tapioca balls are sometimes referred to as ‘Pearls’ or ‘Boba’, which some people say over time has evolved in to the word ‘Bubble’ – isn’t it interesting how language can do that? However the true origins of the name come from the small floating bubbles that are created by the vigorous shaking involved in making Bubble tea. We have a specialist shaking machine that times this process to perfection!
This new phenomenon spread rapidly to other Asian countries before sneaking through the back door of the China Towns all over North American and Australia.
Since the early days of its inception, this delicious art has become a science with the kind of strict rules of preparation only usually found in university biology departments or in the ways of the samurai! After back-breaking research and mouth-watering analysis we at Dr.Bubble are very proud to present to you true, authentic Taiwanese Bubble Tea… !
With a ‘base’ of green tea, black/red tea or white tea (all rich with antioxidants), our fruit teas are infused with natural fruit flavourings, as are our milk teas which some people describe as a nudge along the evolutionary scale towards a milkshake. To discover what they mean, you’ll just have to try it for yourself.
WHAT IS DR.BUBBLES?
Dr.Bubbles is a tea based beverage with fruit flavour infusions, with Tapioca pearls which are consumed along with the beverage – tasty! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your favourite Dr.bubbles as an occasional treat, so appreciate it for what it is and don’t feel guilty!
>WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF BUBBLE TEA?
Back in the 80s, Taiwanese folk would look forward to buying a cup of refreshing tea after a long, hard day of work or play. Tea stands were set up all over the city and would compete for business with the best selling tea. One concession owner became particularly popular when she started adding different fruit flavours to her tea. Soon, other concessions heard about the unique and popular tea, so they started to add flavouring to their teas.
In 1983 Liu Han-Chieh introduced Taiwan to adding juicy Tapioca ‘pearls’ into the cold fruit infused teas, which sat at the bottom of clear cups – thus creating Bubble Tea! However, the name “Bubble Tea” doesn’t actually refer to the Tapioca Pearls at the bottom, but instead to the tasty bubbly-foam at the top of the tea which is created when shaken. “Bubble Tea” is also known as “Boba” Tea.
WHAT ARE TAPIOCA PEARLS?
Tapioca pearls are black, but can sometimes be found to be white or transparent. Depending on the ingredients of the pearl, the colour varies. The black pearl includes sweet potato, cassava root and brown sugar, which add the black colour. The consistency of tapioca pearls are like gummy bears. They are the size of a marble.
WHAT OTHER NAMES DOES BUBBLE TEA GO BY?
Bubble tea is also known as boba drink, pearl tea drink, boba ice tea, boba, boba nai cha, zhen zhou nai cha, pearl milk tea, pearl ice tea, black pearl tea, tapioca ball drink, BBT, PT, pearl shake, QQ (which means chewy in Chinese) and possibly many others.
SO YOU’RE TELLING ME IT’S TEA THEN!?
Yes! We use tea as the base which is freshly brewed every 2 hours, we then combine this with the flavour base!
WHY IS IT CALLED BUBBLE TEA
Contrary to popular belief, it is not because of the Tapioca or Popping Boba! It is because of the tiny thousands of Bubbles that appear at the top of the drink due to the vigorous shaking!
TELL ME MORE ABOUT TAPIOCA
Derived from the Cassava plant, all our Tapioca is freshly cooked and comes free in every drink, however it is optional! You can ask for a full scoop, a half scoop, or none at all!
DOES THE DRINK ALWAYS COME WITH TAPIOCA?
Although it is a standard inclusion, it is up to you how you want your drink! You can instead have it with tasty and healthy Aloe Vera or with Popping Boba – it is really up to you!
HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A DR.BUBBLES BUBBLE TEA?
The calorie content of your tea depends on you! An average, regular 500 ml Dr.Bubbles tea is 220 calories (excluding extra toppings). If you want to add a full scoop of tapioca, it’s 90 extra calories and it’s only 60 extra calories to add a scoop of your favourite bobas or jellies. You can also now get a skinny version of all of our drinks (except specials). An average light 500 ml Dr.Bubbles fruit tea or coffee is 65 calories and an average light milk tea is 125 — reducing calories by over 50% on average across all types of drink. Remember that balance is the key to a healthy lifestyle and favourite Dr.Bubbles should be enjoyed as an occasional treat.
WHAT TYPE OF MILK DO YOU USE?
We use creamer in our standard milk teas and coffees and soya milk in our light versions. In addition to being naturally low in saturated fat, sugar and calories, by using soya milk means we can offer some of our milk drinks to lactose intolerant customers – but please do ask your Bubbleologist for allergens information and refer to the nutrition chart, as your drink may still contain milk derivatives.
I WOULD LIKE TO BUY A BUBBLE TEA FOR MY CHILD, CAN I?
Dr.Bubbles as a policy do not serve any Tapioca, Popping Boba or Jellies with drinks to children under 6 years of age, as they could be more difficult to chew. We suggest that you order a Dr.Bubbles drink without these, as they are equally delicious!
I HEAR DR.BUBBLES IS VEGETARIAN?
Indeed it is! All components are 100% vegetarian!
TELL ME MORE ABOUT TARO!
Taro is a tropical root vegetable found in south-east Asia, Africa and the Americas. It is considered a staple food in some parts of the world, made popular for its light purple colouration and sweet nutty flavour.
SO WHAT’S POPPING BOBA MADE FROM?
The shell is made from Seaweed extract, with delicious fruit burst flavours inside!
I NEED A GOOD DETOX TO SOOTHE MY HANGOVER, ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?!
Go for the Jasberry Special – it is 100% pure Acai Juice blended with freshly brewed Jasmine Tea and a serving of delicious Tapioca!
I ALSO HEAR YOU ONLY USE NATURAL COLOURS FOR YOUR MILK AND FRUIT TEAS?
Absolutely! All of our milk and fruit teas are coloured naturally.
CAN I MIX AND MATCH MY FLAVOURS?
You sure can!