Popping Boba: A New, Fun and Flavorful Topping
Popping boba is finally here, mark your calendars! In July, Sharetea will be happy to introduce popping boba to our selection of available toppings. Not only that, but we will also serve them in two exciting flavor variations – the decadent strawberry and the exotic, tropical mango. To learn more about the newest entry in our bountiful topping menu, read the rest of the article below!
What Is Popping Boba?
You are undoubtedly familiar with traditional tapioca pearls, also known as boba, but how is that different from popping boba? While normal boba pearls are made from tapioca, popping boba is made utilizing a technique known as spherification.
As part of that process, a thin, gel-like coating is created around the juice filling, with the help of a couple of gelling agents, namely sodium alginate and calcium lactate or calcium chloride. The result? A light, delicate sphere of juice that gives a satisfying pop in your mouth, releasing its content when bitten. Drinks with popping boba are extremely fun to play around with precisely for this sensation!
How Is Popping Boba Different From Other Types of Boba?
As mentioned above, popping boba is obtained through differing methods of production, which yields a very unique product with different properties. Let’s go over the key differences separating it from other types of boba now:
Production: Traditional boba pearls are created by mixing tapioca starch with flour to form a dough, which is then boiled until soft and chewy. By contrast, making popping boba involves spherification to create a gel membrane around the juices trapped inside.
Texture: Boba pearls have a consistent, dense, and chewy texture. Popping boba is much lighter on the outside and entirely liquid on the inside, providing a unique mouthfeel when popped.
Flavor: Boba made from tapioca typically isn’t flavored, though it does offer some light sweetness, while popping boba can be infused with many delicious, fruity flavors, like our strawberry and mango offerings!
Best Popping Boba Pairings
What does popping boba work best with? Since the juices contained inside each pearl infuse a touch of sweetness to the overall drink composition and flavor profile, we recommend topping your beverages with popping boba in citrusy and bitter drinks. This way, you can achieve a well-rounded and balanced treat.
These are our favorite picks to use popping boba:
Honey Tea or Ginger Tea
All of these drinks, when combined with the yummy juiciness of the popping boba, can be transformed into much more than the sum of their parts! Of course, Sharetea is always happy to explore new combos with you to see what works, so feel free to unchain your imagination and creativity – we’ll be happy to oblige your own ideas.
The Takeaway
Now you know exactly what popping boba is and how to create deliciously tasty drinks with it! We can’t wait for you to try this topping out in your beloved teas and blended beverages, so look out for it when it hits the Sharetea menu in July!
You may also read: Rice Gem Topping – Everything You Need to Know
