Black Boba Overview
Black boba is tapioca with added coloring that makes it sweeter. The texture is chewy and bouncy, with an almost licorice flavor. Black sugar boba is essentially tapioca pearls mixed with black sugar syrup instead of regular sweeteners used in bubble tea. The syrup is made from heating and caramelizing sugar cane juice into a thick, dark, rich syrup. This creates an indulgent, flavorful boba experience with a deep, caramel-like, slightly smoky sweetness.
Bubble Tea & Boba Pearls
The name "boba" comes from the Chinese slang for breasts, referring to the spherical shape of the tapioca pearls. In Taiwan, bubble tea is known as pearl milk tea or boba milk tea. The boba pearls are made from tapioca starch and are added to tea for a sweet, gummy texture. Both black and clear boba pearls absorb the flavor of the tea, so their taste depends on the milk tea flavor.
Health Considerations
Boba tea is generally high in calories and sugar. Consuming it often can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and other health issues, especially for children. The white pearls used for crystal boba are comparatively healthier as they contain fewer calories and no fat.