Does Boba Tea Have Dairy?
Is boba tea dairy-free? Yes and no! The beauty of the drink lies in its versatility and adaptability - you can essentially have it any way you like. While some of the most popular variants of bubble tea drinks include the addition of milk, all of them remain just as delicious when you swap out animal milk for a plant-based alternative! For a full dive into the topic, read on below.
Does Boba Tea Have Dairy?
While perusing bubble tea shops online (and inevitably getting a boba craving!), you may have stumbled upon terms like "how to make boba milk tea" and gotten scared. Worry not, my friend. Whether you're allergic to milk or a friend of the animals, not every bubble tea drink has animal milk in it.
First, let's address any phrasing-related confusion. The term "boba milk tea" isn't synonymous with "boba tea", just like a normal tea isn't always a milk tea. Adding milk is just an optional choice, and on Sharetea's drinks menu, you'll find numerous delicious propositions, both with and without milk!
In addition, most milk-based boba drinks can be easily turned animal-friendly by simply swapping out cow's milk with your favorite plant-based alternative. That's really the beauty of boba tea - you can truly have it almost any way you want! In that sense, a boba milk tea does not necessarily have dairy in it, either.
What About Powdered Boba Mixes – Are They Dairy-Free?
Nowadays, you technically don't have to make the whole trip to your beloved boba tea store to actually sip on the heavenliness of boba. Pre-made boba tea powdered mixes are generally available and a handy replacement. These typically require you to prepare your tapioca pearls separately, mix the powder with water or milk, and combine everything. Some mixes already include flavoring, sweeteners, and powdered milk, making it a convenient option for homemade boba.
But is powdered boba tea dairy-free? That, again, will vary greatly depending on the powder you use. Some powdered boba tea mixes contain dairy-based ingredients like powdered milk or creamers, while others are dairy-free and made with plant-based alternatives.
Dairy-Free Boba Tea vs. Lactose-Free Boba Free – What's the Difference?
People often confuse these terms, so let's break them down. While dairy-free boba swaps out cow's milk for plant-based options like almond or oat milk (which is perfect if you're vegan or avoiding animal products), lactose-free boba still uses regular milk, only with the lactose removed. This makes it easier to digest and doesn't cause you other tummy problems.
The bottom line is all boba tea varieties - vegan and non-vegan, lactose included or removed - make for amazing drinking every time! This versatility enables you to enjoy boba however you like, for example, in a delightfully creamy dairy-free boba milk shake!
The Takeaway
Is boba tea dairy-free? That's up to you! Choose regular milk or plant-based alternatives in your boba milk tea or matcha-boba milk tea to suit your liking! The beauty of boba lies in its customizability, which is the reason why we all love it so much.
