Bubble Tea, also known as “Boba,” is one of the most unique beverages in the world and requires an extra wide straw to enjoy. Bubble Tea was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, it is a milk tea drink that contains chewy tapioca pearls. This unique edible drink not only revolutionized the traditional tea culture of Taiwan, but it has also become a popular global phenomenon.

In 2018, Bubble Tea’s revenue in Southeast Asia had increased over 30 times in a single year. In Japan, with the help of social media marketing, Bubble Tea has become a very fashionable beverage amongst young people in the country. Bubble teas were also put on McDonalds’ menu in Germany in 2012 and many Bubble Tea shops have opened around Le Louvre and in many other locations in Paris. In the United States, Boba tea shops have become popular hangout places for young people, especially among Asian Americans. In 2018, National Bubble Tea Day was established in the U.S. and since then it has been celebrated all over the world. According to PR Newswire’s report on January 20th, 2022, North America accounts for more than half of the global Bubble Tea Market in 2022 and it is estimated to become the most dominant market for Bubble Tea by 2027.

The Allied Market Research Company suggested that the Bubble Tea market will register a CAGR of 7.8% from 2020 to 2027 and is estimated to reach $4.3 billion U.S dollars by 2027. The adoption of Bubble Tea in mature regions such as the U.S., Canada, and Germany is substantial, while the demand grows in countries such as China, Brazil, and India. Bubble Tea shops are also opening in countries all over in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Europe is expected to have the fastest growth with the highest CAGR at the rate of 8.7%.

Bubble Tea’s global market expansion has also increased the demand for high quality tapioca pearls that have great taste and perfect textures. Taiwan is the birthplace of Bubble Tea, and it is also the major manufacturing and exporting country of tapioca pearls. In 2021, Taiwan’s tapioca pearls export revenue reached $80 million U.S. dollars, catering primarily to the U.S., Japan, and Korea.

There is something for everyone in Bubble Tea Shops not only can customers control the amount of sugar in their drinks, but many proprietors are also incorporating healthy, all natural, seasonal, and local ingredients into their tea drinks. In the U.S. and Europe, some consumers prefer organic milk, while others enjoy vegan milks such as soy milk and nut milks for health and ethical reasons. In Malaysia, ingredients that are certified Halal by JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, or the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) can cater to consumers with different religious believes and tastes. Flavor wise, pure tea or fruit flavored teas are refreshing, while many other consumers enjoy richer flavors such as Japanese Matcha, Indian spiced chai, and velvety milk chocolate drinks. Of course, it is always important to discover what the local consumers’ taste preferences are.

The original Bubble Tea contains chewy Tapioca pearls that are made with tapioca, a starch extracted from the cassava root and flavored with brown sugar. However, many other starches can be blended to create boba pearls with different textures, extended shelf life, and food grade dyes. Various flavors can also be added to create unique and great tasting tapioca pearls for tea drinks.

There are also a variety of chewy Taro Balls, Sweet Potato Boba, Tangyuan (Chinese glutinous rice balls) and Bua Loy (Thai glutinous rice balls) that have different tastes and textures than tapioca pearls and can be added to the beverages.

ANKO is a pioneer in the Food Machine Industry, and ANKO’s GD-18B Automatic Cutting and Rounding Machine is designed to produce a wide variety of tapioca pearls with great efficiency and customize production to your specific product requirements. ANKO’s inhouse Food Lab and our food scientists can assist you in developing perfect tapioca pearl recipes, as well as provide recommendations on cooking, storing, and the pasteurizing processes to make ideal tapioca pearls for your Bubble Tea business. If you are interested in finding out more about the Bubble Tea Market trends and ANKO’s machines, please feel free to contact us.