Bubble tea is becoming more and more popular around the world, and with that rise in demand comes a vast array of flavor combinations and possible toppings to add to your drink.
There is a huge variety to choose from when it comes to combos with your bubble tea and whilst you can just go with a plain bubble tea without any extras, you can also choose to include delicious toppings too.
With all this in mind, we are going to be taking a look at some of the best combinations when it comes to bubble tea flavors and bubble tea toppings! Let’s get started.
What Are Boba Toppings?
Toppings in bubble tea are a little different from regular toppings with other food and drinks as despite the name, most boba toppings don’t actually go on the top.
Instead, bubble tea toppings will sit on the bottom of the drink to add a little bit of extra taste, texture, and general excitement to your beverage.
The Most Popular Boba Toppings
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular toppings to be had with bubble tea.
Tapioca Pearls A.k.a. “Boba”
This classic and traditional topping for bubble tea is arguably the most well-known.
Made from tapioca starch extracted from the cassava plant, these pearls are sweetened and have a chewy texture, which contrasts excellently with the sweetness and cold nature of the tea.
The tapioca pearls in bubble tea are what makes the drink so unique, but they are also what led to the name “bubble” tea, as the floating pearls look like floating bubbles through the clear cup.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Boba Topping
Classic Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls: This is the traditional bubble tea combination, and it’s a great place to start if you’re new to bubble tea.
The creamy, sweet milk tea pairs perfectly with the chewy tapioca pearls. Milk tea is made by brewing black tea and mixing it with milk and sweetener such as sugar, honey, or syrup.
Taro Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls: Taro is a root vegetable that has a unique, nutty flavor and taro milk tea (see also: What Is Taro Milk Tea?)is made by blending cooked taro root with milk and sweeteners, such as sugar or syrup.
This creates a creamy and sweet drink with a distinct taro flavor that is an excellent choice to go with those boba pearls.
Red Bean Paste
Red bean paste is a sweet topping made from red beans, sugar, and butter, used to add sweetness and a bit of texture to the drink. It’s a popular topping in bubble tea, but it is also commonly used in East Asian desserts.
The paste is made by cooking red beans until they are soft and then mashing them with sugar and butter. The resulting paste is sweet and has a slightly grainy texture.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Red Bean Paste Topping
Black Milk Tea with Red Bean Paste: Black tea is a robust tea that is often used as the base for bubble tea. It’s a perfect match for the sweet and slightly nutty flavor of the red bean paste.
The sweet and grainy nature of the paste when added to the black tea creates a unique and delicious combination of flavors and textures.
To make this combination, a serving of black tea is brewed and sweetened with sugar or other sweeteners. Then, the red bean paste is added to the tea.
You can also combine the bean paste with boba pearls, as the pearls will provide a nice contrast in texture to the drink and also add a boost of sweetness to it.
Aloe Vera
There’s a lot more that can be done with aloe vera than just skincare, as seen in this next tasty boba topping!
Aloe vera is another common bubble tea topping that is best known for its slimy texture, refreshing taste, and various health benefits.
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is often used in skin care products and as a natural remedy for burns and other skin conditions.
When used as a topping for bubble tea, it is typically in the form of aloe vera gel or jelly(see also: How To Make Your Own Aloe Jelly). The gel or jelly is made by blending aloe vera leaves and then adding sugar or other sweeteners.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Aloe Vera Topping
Mango Green Tea with Aloe Vera: The sweet and tangy flavor of mango pairs well with the refreshing and slightly bitter flavor of green tea. The aloe vera topping adds a nice contrast in texture and a boost of hydration.
Lychee Black Tea with Aloe Vera: The sweet and floral flavor of lychee pairs well with the bold and robust flavor of black tea. The aloe vera topping adds a refreshing and hydrating touch to the drink.
Egg Pudding
Egg pudding, also known as “egg custard” or “egg waffle” is a sweet and creamy topping that is often used in bubble tea. It’s a popular topping in many Asian desserts and drinks.
The pudding is typically made by mixing eggs, milk, sugar, and cornstarch and then cooking it over low heat until it thickens. The pudding is then chilled before being added to bubble tea.
The egg pudding used in bubble tea has a different consistency to that of the American-style egg pudding, which has more of a Greek yogurt nature. Bubble tea egg pudding is much thicker, with gelatin and an almost flan-like texture.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Egg Pudding Topping
Classic Milk Tea with Egg Pudding: If it is a super sweet bubble tea flavor that you are after, then combining classic milk tea with the egg pudding topping is something you need to try.
Not only does it have a creamy and rich consistency, but the sweetness is there without being too overpowering.
Black Milk Tea with Egg Pudding: The bold and robust flavor of black tea pairs well with the creamy and sweet flavor of the egg pudding.
Matcha Milk Tea with Egg Pudding: The creamy sweetness of the egg pudding with the vegetal and slightly bitter matcha makes for a fantastic contrast of flavors.
Coffee Jelly
Coffee jelly is another popular bubble tea topping that combines both sweet and bitter flavors. It is made by brewing coffee, then adding gelatin and sweetener to the mixture and allowing it to set.
The resulting jelly is a sweet and chewy topping with a strong coffee flavor.
Keep in mind that coffee jelly is a stronger flavored topping and can be an acquired taste, so make sure that you adjust the amount of coffee jelly that you use in your tea to suit your tastes.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Coffee Jelly Topping
Mocha Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly: The chocolatey and coffee flavor of mocha makes for an excellent accompaniment to the bitter yet slightly sweet taste of the coffee jelly.
Caramel Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly: The sweetness of the caramel acts as the perfect contrast to the strong flavors of the coffee jelly.
Taro Milk Tea: If you prefer a nuttier flavor with your bubble tea, then the nuttiness of the taro in taro milk tea can act as the perfect pairing to coffee jelly.
Cheese Foam
Cheese foam is a unique boba tea topping, but you don’t have to worry about getting a mouthful of cheddar as you drink!
The cheese used here is similar to that of the cheese used in cheesecake, made by mixing cream cheese, heavy cream, and sweetener and whipping it until it forms a fluffy and creamy foam.
The cheese foam is typically added on top of the bubble tea- (see also: How Much Caffeine In Bubble Tea?)unlike the other toppings here that will go on the bottom of the drink- creating a layered look.
When added to bubble tea, cheese foam provides a nice contrast in texture to the chewy boba pearls. Its creamy and slightly tangy taste pairs well with the sweet and cold tea, creating a unique and enjoyable drinking experience.
Cheese foam can be adjusted to your personal taste, some people prefer more while others prefer less. This topping can be an acquired taste, too, so make sure to try it out thoroughly to see if it’s for you.
The dairy content of cheese foam can be high in fat and calories too, so enjoy it in moderation.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Cheese Foam Topping
Black Tea with Cheese Foam: The robust boldness of the black tea stands up very well with the tanginess and creaminess of the cheese foam, making for an excellent combination of flavors.
Matcha Tea with Cheese Foam: Matcha bubble tea with cheese foam is a unique and delicious combination of flavors, with the matcha providing a slightly bitter and earthy flavor, and the cheese foam adding a creamy and tangy taste. The cheese foam also adds a texture contrast to the drink.
Grass Jelly
Typically made from the leaves of the Mesona chinesis plant, the grass jelly- also known as the herbal jelly- has a bit of a bitter taste as well as a dark color.
Grass jellies have a chewy and soft texture, but it also has a few health benefits such as aiding with hydration and digestion whilst also being a low-calorie topping choice.
The jelly is made by boiling the leaves and stems of the plant, then adding a starch, such as cornstarch, to solidify it.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Grass Jelly Topping
Almond Milk Tea with Grass Jelly: Combining the sweetness of milk tea with the nutty earthiness of almonds and the strong, bitterness of grass jelly, this bubble tea flavor makes for a tasty concoction.
Peach Bubble Tea with Grass Jelly: The sweet and juicy flavor of peach pairs well with the slightly earthy and chewy texture of grass jelly.
To make this drink, you will need to brew a strong tea base, usually black tea or green tea, sweeten it with simple syrup or honey, then add in some peach-flavored syrup or powder.
You can also add some fresh peach purée or nectar for added flavor.
Fruit Jellies
Perfect for the warmer weather when you want something that is cooling and refreshing, fruit jellies are a highly popular topping choice to indulge in with your bubble tea.
These jellies are made from either fruit purée or fruit juice that is mixed with gelatin and then cut into small cubes that will sit at the bottom of your team.
Some of the most common flavors of fruit jelly include the following:
Mango
Strawberry
Blueberry
Kiwi
Grape
Lychee
Pineapple
Orange
Lemon
Fruit jelly is added to the drink as a topping, usually after the tea and other ingredients have been poured into the cup.
It adds a burst of fruity sweetness and a chewy texture to the drink. Some people prefer to drink it with a spoon to enjoy the jelly texture.
Best Bubble Tea Flavor Combinations With Fruit Jelly Topping
Milk Tea with Fruit Jelly Topping: Milk bubble tea with fruit jelly topping is a creamy and fruity combination that is very popular. The rich and creamy taste of milk tea pairs well with the sweet and fruity flavor of the jelly topping.
Various Fruit Teas with Fruit Jelly Topping: A tasty and refreshing combination, this is a must-try bubble tea for fruit lovers as well as one that can be delicious to indulge in during the warmer months.
Brew your base with whichever fruit tea you so choose and then add in your fruit jellies. You can opt for one flavor all around for both your tea and the jellies, or mix and match for different fruity flavor combinations.
Final Thoughts
So there you have everything that you need to know about a wide range of popular bubble tea toppings as well as some of the best flavor combinations to pair the toppings with.
No matter what your preferences are in terms of flavor, consistency, and texture with your bubble tea, you are sure to find something that suits your personal preferences with our varied list.
Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to find your perfect bubble tea!
