Boba: the chewy and bursting balls in cold beverages

Boba refers to the bite-sized, chewy tapioca pearls found in bubble milk tea, as well as the bursting bubbles filled with sweet liquid, though consumers often use the term to describe the beverage itself.

Boba first came to the United States from Taiwan in the 1990s, but it has really caught on nationwide in recent years, meeting consumers’ growing love of Asian cuisine and serving as a sweet treat any time of day. The drinks’ attractiveness on social media no-doubt has lent to their appeal.

Because of boba’s growing popularity, the pearls are also being incorporated in other drinks beyond the traditional milk tea.

Boba was identified by Nation’s Restaurant News as a trend at this year’s National Restaurant Association Show, and chains like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dutch Bros, Caribou Coffee, The Human Bean, Dunkin’, Sonic Drive-In, and McDonald’s CosMc’s have been getting on board in recent years.

According to market research firm Datassential, 46% of the U.S. population knows boba, and 26% have tried it, with awareness highest among Gen Z and Asian consumers.

Click through the gallery to learn more about boba and see how one restaurant is using it on the menu.