What's the Difference Between Boba Tea and Bubble Tea?
What’s the difference between boba and bubble tea? None! These two names are used interchangeably to describe the same mouthwatering drink originating in Taiwan. Yet, you might sometimes find the word “boba” used to refer not to the drink but to the tapioca pearls in it. Do you want to learn more? Then we invite you to read on!
The Difference Between Boba and Bubble Tea
So, what is the difference between boba and bubble tea? Let’s look at it in practice.
What They Refer To
For starters, bubble tea, boba tea, and boba might mean the same thing: the delicious beverage you’ll see on the Sharetea drinks menu. However, if we look deeper, we can see a slight difference between them.
While “bubble tea” and “boba tea” all refer to drink only, “boba” might also mean tapioca pearls. This probably has its roots in the Asian languages, where the same word is used to describe both the beverage and the bubbles.
Taiwan, the birthplace of bubble tea: “波霸” (“boba”)
Japan: “タピオカ” (“tapioca”)
Where They Are Used
Interestingly, you can see a difference between boba and bubble tea when you look at the map. On the East Coast of the US, you will more likely see the name “bubble tea,” while on the West Coast, “boba” is more common. In general, the latter is more frequently used across the States.
Why is there such a difference? It’s difficult to tell. Some say it is because of more Taiwanese people living on the West Coast, hence using the original name. But, there’s no evidence proving that. Nevertheless, there are many states on both sides of the US where both these terms are used interchangeably, so you can use either of them freely, and people will understand you.
Other Names for Bubble Tea/Boba
Apart from bubble tea/boba, you might find several other ways to name this tasty drink. For instance, some people may call it “Pearl Milk Tea.” This is because it was the first bubble tea invented, although now you have many more flavors to choose from.
If you meet of Japanese origin, it’s possible that they will call the drink “tapioca”. This, on the other hand, is because this is what the Japanese name for this beverage could be translated as. But in the end, all of these refer to the same drink – the beloved mixture of tea, milk, and chewy pearls!
The Takeaway
So, what is the difference between boba tea and bubble tea? There are different names for the same mouth watering drinks. Whether we call it boba, bubble tea, tapioca, or pearl milk tea, we all mean the same thing – the Taiwanese drink that we fell in love with. So, the next time you hear one of these names, you know exactly what to do – go to your nearest Sharetea store and grab a cup!
You might also be interested in reading: Milk Tea vs. Bubble Tea