Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, has been making waves in the beverage industry thanks to its unique taste, rich texture, and delicious flavors. Whether you’re a fan of the classic original boba tea or looking to explore something new, there’s certainly something that’s just right for you. Here’s a complete guide to boba tea flavors.
The original boba tea is made with black tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls. Brown sugar boba tea is a popular variant made by adding dark brown sugar to the mix. Fruit boba teas are prepared with real fruit juice, while taro and Thai tea boba are created with taro root and Thai tea, respectively.
Each of these flavors also comes with its own variations. For example, you can get them with or without pearls, with or without milk, and you can add add various toppings such as jelly, pudding, and fruit. Let’s explore the most common boba tea flavors and what they offer so that you can pick out your favorite.
What Is Boba Tea?

Boba tea (also known as bubble tea, pearl milk tea, or tapioca tea) is a Taiwanese tea-based drink invented in Taipai in the 1980s.
It usually contains brewed green or black teas, milk, syrups, and chewy boba or tapioca pearls that sink to the bottom. This rich, sweet drink is usually served cold, but some places also offer warm versions.
Now that boba tea has become a worldwide hit, there are endless flavor and topping options out there. From classic options like brown sugar and taro to several unique and exotic variations like honeydew, strawberry, and matcha bubble tea, you can find many delicious flavors of this popular drink.
You can also make it with dairy alternatives such as almond, coconut, and oat milk. Even sugar-free options are available if you’re looking to make a healthier choice.
Are Boba Tea and Bubble Tea the Same?
Yes, boba tea and bubble tea are the same thing. Initially, iced milk tea was called bubble tea because of the foam that forms on the surface of the drink when you shake it.
However, since Taiwanese pearl milk tea (also known as boba tea) became popular around the world, it took on the name “bubble tea” because of the chewy tapioca balls that are added to the drink.
So now, when people refer to boba tea, bubble tea, pearl milk tea, and tapioca tea, they all mean the same thing.
Does Boba Tea Contain Caffeine?
Yes, most boba tea drinks contain caffeine because they’re made with tea. Typically, one cup contains 20 to 60 mg of caffeine in one serving of boba tea.
But the exact amount of caffeine in your boba tea will depend on the type and quantity of tea used. Black and green tea are the most common, but other teas like oolong and white teas are also used.
Many places offer herbal tea-based versions of boba tea if you’re looking for a caffeine-free beverage.
What Types of Milk Are Used in Boba Tea?
Traditionally, boba tea is made with whole cow milk or condensed milk, but now many other options are available in bubble tea shops. Many places also offer dairy-free alternatives such as almond, coconut, and oat milk.
So if you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply prefer a non-dairy option, there are plenty of choices. You can even skip the milk altogether and make a boba tea without it!
What Are the Most Common Flavors of Boba Tea?
As boba tea has made its way into different parts of the world, it has evolved to include several unique and exotic flavors. Let’s explore some of the most popular flavors:
Classic Boba Tea
This is the original boba tea flavor that exploded onto the scene in Taiwan during the 1980s. It’s made with a black tea base, milk, sweetener, and chewy tapioca pearls (on Amazon).
The brewed tea, milk, and simple syrup are shaken with ice to create a frothy drink, which is then poured over the chewy tapioca pearls to create your classic boba tea.
For a twist, you can switch the dairy milk with an alternative option, and you’ll have almond boba, coconut boba, barley boba, etc.
Brown Sugar Boba Tea
Another classic boba tea flavor is brown sugar boba. This drink starts with a black or green tea base mixed with the milk of your choice, which is poured over brown sugar-flavored or regular tapioca pearls.
Then a hearty dulce of brown sugar syrup is poured over the top to give it the extra sweet molasses flavor.
It’s also called Tiger Milk Tea because of the stripes that form when the dark brown syrup swirl into the milk. It’s a treat to both the eyes and the taste buds!
Taro Boba Tea
Taro is a starchy root vegetable similar to sweet potato. It has a slightly nutty flavor with sweet undertones and pairs perfectly with sweet milk tea.
In taro-flavored boba, taro paste or taro powder (on Amazon) is added to the sweet condensed milk and tea base.
Taro gives the drink a light purple hue and a rich, creamy texture because of its starchy consistency. Some places also use taro balls in regular boba tea to create a unique, two-layered drink.
Thai Boba Tea
Thai boba tea is made by mixing iced Thai milk tea with tapioca pearls.
Thai milk tea contains strongly brewed Ceylon black tea, condensed milk, sweetener, and spices like star anise, cardamom, and crushed tamarind, which gives it a beautiful orange color.
To make the bubble tea version, either regular or brown sugar tapioca pearls are added to the iced Thai tea. The creamy texture and unique spice blend of Thai tea create a delicious alternative to traditional boba tea.
Matcha Boba Tea

Matcha is a popular Japanese tea made from finely ground green tea leaves. And bubble tea shops have welcomed matcha into their menus with open arms.
Matcha gives the drink a bright green color and a refreshing grassy flavor with a hint of umami. It also has higher caffeine content than regular green tea, so it can provide a nice energy boost as well.
Brown sugar tapioca pearls are the most popular and the best topping for matcha boba tea.
Fruit Boba Tea
Fruit boba tea is made with fruit purees or syrups, with unlimited flavor combinations to choose from. Common fruit flavors like mango, strawberry, and lychee are always popular options, as are unique flavors like passionfruit, honeydew, avocado, and blueberry.
Fruit boba teas can be served with or without milk. You can also mix and match different flavors to create unique fruit-boba tea combinations, and the topping options are endless.
It’s often served with popping boba balls, fruit jellies, grass jelly (on Amazon), or other exotic toppings like aloe vera.
Bubble Chai Tea
Bubble chai tea is the Taiwanese take on traditional masala chai, a popular Indian spiced tea.
It starts with a base of black tea, steeped in milk and then mixed with chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, star anise, and cloves. It’s then shaken with ice, poured over tapioca pearls, and served with honey or brown sugar syrup.
Bubble chai tea’s spicy notes make it a unique option for cold winter days.
Dirty Boba Tea
Dirty boba tea is basically classic or brown sugar boba with an added espresso shot. So it’s the perfect combination of boba tea and coffee rolled into one drink. It has a slightly bitter taste with a creamy finish, and the added caffeine gives you that nice boost.
Dirty boba tea is a great option for coffee and tea lovers who want to combine both flavors into one delicious drink.
Chocolate Boba Tea

As the name suggests, chocolate boba tea is made with cocoa powder mixed into the milk-tea base. The result is an indulgent drink that appeals to both tea and chocolate lovers.
You can also customize it by adding different flavors like strawberry or caramel or toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, or ice cream.
Are There Different Boba Flavors?
Yes, the boba or tapioca pearls come in a variety of flavors and colors. The most popular are the regular tapioca pearls made from tapioca powder and steeped in brown sugar syrup to add sweetness.
But you can also find other flavors like green tea, matcha, and chocolate. To make them, the flavors are added to the dough before it is shaped into balls.
Besides regular tapioca pearls, there are also popping boba (on Amazon) and jellies made from different materials and come in a huge range of fruity and punchy flavors.
For example, popping boba are made from seaweed extract and are filled with real fruit juice. They’re usually smaller than regular tapioca pearls and burst in your mouth for a fun effect.
Jellies are made from agar-agar or gelatin and come in flavors like lychee, rose, mango, and green tea. They add texture and fun to the drink, plus they come in a range of vibrant colors.
Each of these different types of boba toppings adds a unique flavor and texture and can be paired with any boba tea flavor. So get creative and mix and match different boba types to create your unique drink.