Does Boba Have Gelatin?
Does bubble tea have gelatin? This is a question that many people ask because of the jelly texture of tapioca pearls. Yet, the truth is that boba does not contain gelatin – the bubbles are made from tapioca starch, brown sugar, and water only. In some stores, certain toppings might contain it, but not at Sharetea – we can proudly say that we don’t use gelatin in any of our products. Do you want to learn more? Then read on!
Does Traditional Boba Have Gelatin?
Let’s start by discussing traditional boba – the tapioca pearls. If you know what are the bubbles in bubble tea, you should be aware that traditional pearls do not contain gelatin.
This is because your regular bubbles are made from just three ingredients: tapioca starch, brown sugar, and water. The key to their unique texture lies in the cooking process, so there’s no need to add gelatin to make them delicious.
Does Popping Boba Have Gelatin?
When it comes to tapioca pearls with a twist – popping boba (unfortunately, currently unavailable at Sharetea stores) it’s also made without using gelatin. Instead, the following ingredients are used:
seaweed extract,
fruit juice,
water,
calcium lactate.
Popping boba is made through spherification – a process in which juice mixture is dropped into calcium lactate solution, where it solidifies and forms small balls, hence their unique texture.
Do Other Bubble Tea Toppings Have Gelatin?
We’ve established that tapioca pearls do not have gelatin, and neither does popping boba. But what about other ingredients? It all depends on what you get and where.
At Sharetea, we do not use gelatin for any of our products – you can get any type of beverage and bubble tea toppings knowing that they’re gelatin-free. So, you don’t have to worry if you are vegan or simply avoid gelatin in your diet.
When it comes to other boba stores and the toppings available, for instance, in certain stores, the case might be different. If you’re unsure whether a topping contains gelatin, it’s best to read the ingredient list, as you might stumble upon certain jellies that do have it.
Where to Get Gelatin-Free Boba Near You?
Looking for bubble tea near you that does not contain gelatin? Then you’re in the right place – visit one of our bubble tea stores, choose one out of 10 different toppings (or why choose – get QQ Happy Family Milk Tea, which contains all of them!), and sip on delicious boba that you can feel good about.
The Takeaway
So, let’s say it once again. Does bubble tea have gelatin? No, it doesn’t, and neither do tapioca pearls. At Sharetea, we want to spread our love of bubble tea to everybody, including those on a vegan diet, so we go the extra mile to ensure that none of our products contain gelatin. Yet, you must watch out in other cases – there might be other stores that do have gelatin in their topics, so always read the ingredients list if you're at a store for the first time!
You might also read: Do Bubble Teas Have Caffeine?