Bubble tea, aka boba tea or pearl tea, originated in Taiwan during the 1980s. Since then, this tea-based drink with questionable black tapioca pearls has been slowly taking over the world. Many well run shops have popped up in many cities, and other Asian bakeries and supermarkets have started offering them as well.

So what's the hype? The bubbles are made of tapioca, starch extracted from cassava root. After preparation, said tapioca bubbles have a chewy texture and a subtle sweetness. If you aren't expecting to have to chew your drink, encountering a black mass in your straw may be a less than pleasant surprise. But not so fast! The texture of the bubbles offer a unique contrast to the taste and texture of an otherwise plain beverage, if you can accept the fact that you have to work harder for your drink.

What about the tea part of bubble tea? Fans of the drink can typically find bubble tea made of either fruit slush/smoothies (fruit based), or teas, with and without milk (tea based). Boba slushies are great if you are looking for a brain freeze, or a sweet, refreshing summertime drink with a spin. If you are feeling adventurous, try getting a durian or avocado slush. If not, mango is usually a very solid bet. For people who like their drinks more hardcore, the tea-based drinks are the best. The milk and tea combo mixed with the boba creates a triple threat. Creamy, tasty, fun. What more can you want from a drink? Teas can usually be ordered flavored or unflavored. Flavors are usually added by pumping concentrated syrups to the drink, and many people enjoy the added taste and sweetness. But if you want the actual tea to shine, I suggest getting the jasmine green tea or plain black milk tea. Taro, a common flavor in Asian desserts, is popular as well.

Are you craving boba yet? If you have not tried it, find your local joint right now! It may just be your cup of tea :)

*Shameless plug: if you live in the metro Atlanta area, be sure to go check out Snow Mountain! It's a boba place in the same plaza as the Duluth H-Mart. I had my first boba there, and fell in love. Their regular size is relatively cheap at $2.50, and if you're nice, they don't charge extra for toppings like grass jelly, egg nog, milk pudding, rainbow jelly, or lychee jelly! They have multiple flavors and a really solid black milk tea. The owners are an old Asian couple, both really sweet. The address is 10820 Abbotts Walk Dr