Editing Bubble tea (section)

==Description==
[[File:A paper straw for bubble tea and the popular straw.jpg|thumb|A paper straw for bubble tea compared with a more typical plastic straw]]
Bubble teas fall under two categories: teas without milk and milk teas. Both varieties come with a choice of [[Black tea|black]], [[Green tea|green]], or [[oolong]] tea as the base.<ref name=":2" /> Milk teas usually include [[Powdered milk|powdered]] or fresh milk, but may also use [[condensed milk]], [[almond milk]], [[soy milk]], or [[coconut milk]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wu |first1=Yongzhong |last2=Lu |first2=Yikuan |last3=Xie |first3=Guie |date=2022-02-15 |title=Bubble tea consumption and its association with mental health symptoms: An observational cross-sectional study on Chinese young adults |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016503272101380X |journal=Journal of Affective Disorders |language=en |volume=299 |pages=620–627 |doi=10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.061 |pmid=34942229 |s2cid=245416664 |issn=0165-0327}}</ref>

The oldest known bubble tea drink consisted of a mixture of hot Taiwanese black tea, tapioca pearls ({{lang-zh|c=粉圓|p=fěn yuán|poj=hún-îⁿ}}), condensed milk, and syrup ({{Lang-zh|t=糖漿|p=táng jiāng}}) or honey.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Jenny G. |date=2019-11-05 |title=How Bubble Tea Became a Complicated Symbol of Asian-American Identity |url=https://www.eater.com/2019/11/5/20942192/bubble-tea-boba-asian-american-diaspora |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=Eater |language=en |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213202724/https://www.eater.com/2019/11/5/20942192/bubble-tea-boba-asian-american-diaspora |url-status=live }}</ref> Bubble tea is most commonly served cold.<ref name=":4" /> The tapioca pearls that give bubble tea its name were originally made from the starch of the [[cassava]], a tropical shrub known for its starchy roots<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBOY6TrE3AwC&q=cassava&pg=PA67 |title=Cassava: Biology, Production and Utilization |date=2002 |publisher=CABI |isbn=0-85199-883-6 |editor-last=Hillocks |editor-first=R. J. |location=Wallingford |editor-last2=Thresh |editor-first2=J. M. |editor-last3=Bellotti |editor-first3=A. C.}}</ref> which was introduced to Taiwan from [[South America]] during Japanese colonial rule.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Encisco |first1=V. Elizabeth |last2=Zhu |first2=Feilin A. |date=7 October 2004 |title=Whose Boba Is Best? |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2004/10/7/whose-boba-is-best-the-new/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611201115/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2004/10/7/whose-boba-is-best-the-new/ |archive-date=11 June 2017 |access-date=30 April 2018 |website=The Harvard Crimson}}</ref> Larger pearls ({{Lang-zh|t=波霸/黑珍珠|p=bō bà / hēi zhēn zhū}}) quickly replaced these.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Maggie Hiufu |date=30 April 2020 |title=The Rise of Bubble Tea, One of Taiwan's Most Beloved Beverages |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/taiwan-bubble-tea-origins/index.html |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=31 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331215526/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/taiwan-bubble-tea-origins/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some cafés specialize in bubble tea production.<ref name="credo1">{{Cite book |last=Goldstein |first=Darra |url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/ouposas/bubble_tea |title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199313402 |location=Oxford |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124125013/https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/ouposas/bubble_tea/0 |url-status=live }}</ref> While some cafés may serve bubble tea in a glass, most Taiwanese bubble tea shops serve the drink in a plastic cup and use a machine to seal the top of the cup with heated plastic [[cellophane]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Tsai |first1=Yueh-Ju |last2=Carvajal |first2=Carolina Forero |last3=Flores |first3=Nicolas Moltedo |last4=Lin |first4=Tsan-Shiun |last5=Yang |first5=Johnson Chia-Shen |last6=Chiang |first6=Yuan-Cheng |last7=Lin |first7=Pao-Yuan |date=2019 |title=Reconstruction of Pediatric Hand Injuries Caused by Automatic Cup-Sealing Machines in Taiwan |journal=Journal of International Medical Research |language=en |volume=47 |issue=11 |pages=5855–5866 |doi=10.1177/0300060519874540 |pmc=6862881 |pmid=31558087}}</ref> The method allows the tea to be shaken in the serving cup and makes it spill-free until a person is ready to drink it.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Nguyen-Okwu |first=Leslie |date=2019-03-16 |title=Boba Explained: A Sipper's Guide to Taiwan's Signature Drink |url=https://www.eater.com/21551108/boba-milk-bubble-tea-explained-how-to-order |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=Eater |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416144212/https://www.eater.com/21551108/boba-milk-bubble-tea-explained-how-to-order |url-status=live }}</ref> The cellophane is then pierced with an oversized straw, referred to as a boba straw, which is larger than a typical drinking straw to allow the toppings to pass through.<ref name="howboba">{{Cite news |author-link=Clarissa Wei|last=Wei |first=Clarissa |date=16 January 2017 |title=How Boba Became an Integral Part of Asian-American Culture in Los Angeles |work=[[LA Weekly]] |url=https://www.laweekly.com/how-boba-became-an-integral-part-of-asian-american-culture-in-los-angeles/ |access-date=14 May 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518131558/https://www.laweekly.com/how-boba-became-an-integral-part-of-asian-american-culture-in-los-angeles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Due to its popularity, bubble tea has inspired a variety of bubble tea flavoured snacks, such as bubble tea [[ice cream]] and bubble tea candy.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Pyne |first=Irene |date=2019-07-29 |title=Delicious or Disgusting? Boba Craze Spills Over from Bubble Tea to Pizza, Ramen, Hotpot and Sushi |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/3020437/delicious-or-disgusting-boba-craze-spills-over-bubble |access-date=2022-01-24 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414145701/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/3020437/delicious-or-disgusting-boba-craze-spills-over-bubble |url-status=live }}</ref> The market size of bubble tea was valued at {{Currency|2.4 billion|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} in 2022 and is projected to reach {{Currency|4.3 billion|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} by the end of 2027.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Bhandalkar |first=Shankar |title=Bubble Tea Market Expected to Reach $4.3 Billion by 2027 |url=https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/bubble-tea-market.html |access-date=2020-11-15 |website=Allied Market Research |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124125010/https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/bubble-tea-market.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bubble Tea Market Share, Size, Growth, Analysis Report 2022-2027 |url=https://www.imarcgroup.com/bubble-tea-market |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=www.imarcgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> Some of the largest global bubble tea chains include [[Chatime]], [[CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice]] and [[Gong Cha]].

===Variants===

==== Drink ====
Bubble tea comes in many variations which usually consist of [[black tea]], [[green tea]], [[oolong tea]], and sometimes [[white tea]].<ref name=":1" /> Another variation, [[yuenyeung]], ({{Lang-zh|t=鴛鴦}}, named after the [[Mandarin duck]]) originated in [[Hong Kong]] and consists of black tea, coffee, and milk.<ref name=":2" />

Other varieties of the drink include blended tea drinks. These variations are often either blended using ice cream, or are smoothies that contain both tea and fruit.<ref name=":6" /> [[Boba ice cream bar]]s have also been produced.

There are many popular flavours of bubble tea, such as [[taro]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Taro Bubble Tea: What is it & How Does it Taste? — Sharetea - Best Bubble Tea Brand |url=https://www.1992sharetea.com/news/what-is-taro-bubble-tea |website=Sharetea |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref> [[mango]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Mango Bubble Tea |url=https://www.mango.org/recipes/mango-bubble-tea/ |website=Mango.org |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref> [[coffee]], and [[coconut]].<ref>{{cite web |title=What Is Coconut Milk Tea And How To Make It? – Tea Backyard |url=https://teabackyard.com/coconut-milk-tea/ |website=Tea Backyard |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref> Flavouring ingredients such as a syrup or powder determine the flavour and usually the colour of the bubble tea, while other ingredients such as tea, milk, and boba are the basis.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Is Bubble Tea? Learn About the Different Flavors |url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/different-flavors-of-bubble-tea-766444 |website=The Spruce Eats |access-date=22 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Toppings ====
[[File:Tapioca, aka boba.jpg|thumb|upright|Tapioca (boba)]]

[[Tapioca]] pearls (boba) are the most common ingredient, although there are other ways to make the chewy spheres found in bubble tea.<ref name=":2" /> The pearls vary in color according to the ingredients mixed in with the tapioca. Most pearls are black from brown sugar.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-21 |title=How to Make Tapioca Pearls (Boba Balls) with Perfect Texture For Milk Tea |url=https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/how-to-make-tapioca-pearls/ |access-date=2022-01-24 |website=Honest Food Talks |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425122026/https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/how-to-make-tapioca-pearls/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jelly comes in different shapes: small cubes, stars, or rectangular strips, and flavours such as [[Nata de coco|coconut jelly]], [[konjac]], [[lychee]], [[grass jelly]], [[mango]], [[coffee]], and [[green tea]]. [[Azuki bean]] or [[mung bean]] paste, typical toppings for Taiwanese shaved ice desserts, give bubble tea an added subtle flavour as well as texture. [[Aloe]], egg pudding ([[custard]]), and [[sago]] also can be found in many bubble tea shops.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodwin |first=Lindsey |date=26 June 2019 |title=Bubble Tea 101: Types, Ingredients, and More |url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/types-of-bubble-tea-766451 |access-date=2022-01-24 |website=The Spruce Eats |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418044307/https://www.thespruceeats.com/types-of-bubble-tea-766451 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Popping boba]], or spheres that have fruit juices or syrups inside them, are another popular bubble tea topping.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Dickey |first=Rachel |date=2017-06-25 |title=6 Worth The Drive Coffee Shops Outside of Ottawa |url=https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/6-worth-thedrive-coffee-shops-outside-of-ottawa |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=Spoon University |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511015241/https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/6-worth-thedrive-coffee-shops-outside-of-ottawa |url-status=live }}</ref> Flavours include mango, strawberry, coconut, kiwi, and honey melon.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-25 |title=Bubble Tea Flavors and Toppings You Never Knew Existed! |url=https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/bubble-tea-flavors-boba-toppings/ |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=Honest Food Talks |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425122025/https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/bubble-tea-flavors-boba-toppings/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some shops offer milk or cheese foam on top of the drink, giving the drink a consistency similar to that of whipped cream, and a saltier flavour profile.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiter |first=Amy |title=Will We All Soon Be Drinking Cheese Tea? |url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/2017/06/will-we-all-soon-be-drinking-cheese-tea |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=Food Network |language=en |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417163249/https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/2017/06/will-we-all-soon-be-drinking-cheese-tea |url-status=live }}</ref> One shop described the effect of the cheese foam as "neutraliz[ing] the bitterness of the tea...and as you drink it you taste the returning sweetness of the tea."<ref name=Fullerton>{{cite magazine |last=Fullerton |first=Jamie |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/people-in-beijing-are-lining-up-for-hours-to-try-cheese-tea/ |title=People in Beijing Are Lining Up for Hours to Try 'Cheese Tea' |magazine=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice Magazine]] |date=2017-10-18 |access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref>

==== Ice and sugar level ====
[[File:Bubble tea served in light bulb glass.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Bubble tea packaged in a promotional shape (lightbulb) instead of a takeaway cup<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thick PP Bubble Tea Cup |url=https://www.packandsend.com.sg/thick-pp-bubble-tea-cup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710071656/https://www.packandsend.com.sg/thick-pp-bubble-tea-cup |archive-date=10 July 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020 |website=Pack and Send |language=en}}</ref>]]
Bubble tea shops often give customers the option of choosing the amount of ice or sugar in their drink.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Bursting the 'Bubble': Tips to Ordering Bubble Tea |url=https://living.cityofadelaide.com.au/bubble-tea/ |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=City of Adelaide |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124125024/https://living.cityofadelaide.com.au/bubble-tea/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ice levels are usually specified ordinally (e.g., no ice, less ice, normal ice, more ice), and sugar levels in quarterly intervals (e.g., 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%).<ref name=":8" />

==== Packaging ====
In Southeast Asia, bubble tea is usually packaged in a plastic takeaway cup, sealed with plastic or a rounded cap. New entrants into the market have attempted to distinguish their products by packaging it in bottles<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ang |first=Daniel |date=24 September 2019 |title=Teabrary 小茶識 – Bubble Tea Shop Opened By MediaCorp Host Vivian Lai, Offering Trendy Dessert Teas |url=https://danielfooddiary.com/,%20https://danielfooddiary.com/2019/09/24/teabrary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920192622/https://danielfooddiary.com/2019/09/24/teabrary/ |archive-date=20 September 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020 |website=DanielFoodDiary.com |language=en}}</ref> and other shapes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ang |first=Daniel |date=9 July 2016 |title=Bubbs – Bubble Tea In Light Bulbs Bottles Brightened Up Our Day |url=https://danielfooddiary.com/,%20https://danielfooddiary.com/2016/07/09/bubbs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920192622/https://danielfooddiary.com/2016/07/09/bubbs/ |archive-date=20 September 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020 |website=DanielFoodDiary.com |language=en}}</ref>  Some have used sealed plastic bags.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Another Example of Bubble Tea in Unique Packaging, This Is Bubble Tea in Plastic Bags for Drinking. {{!}} Bubble Tea Recipe, Food and Drink, Cafe Food |url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/807903620632610416/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920192621/https://www.pinterest.com/pin/807903620632610416/ |archive-date=20 September 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020 |website=Pinterest |language=en}}</ref> Nevertheless, the plastic takeaway cup with a sealed cap is still the most common packaging method.

==== Preparation method ====
The tea can be made in batches during the day or the night before. [[Brewing]] different types of teas takes different amounts of time and temperature. For instance, [[green tea]] requires brewing at a lower temperature, typically between {{convert|176|–|185|F}} with a brewing time of 8–10 minutes to extract its optimal flavour. In contrast, [[black tea]] needs to be made with hotter water, usually around {{convert|203|–|212|F}} with a brewing of around 15–20 minutes to bring out its sweetness. A tea warmer dispenser allows the tea to remain heated for up to eight hours.

Pearls (boba) are made from [[tapioca]] starch. Most bubble tea stores buy packaged tapioca pearls in an uncooked stage. When the boba is uncooked and in the package, it is uncolored and hard. The boba does not turn chewy and dark until they are cooked and sugar is added to bring out its taste. Uncooked tapioca pearls in their package can be stored for around 9 to 12 months. Once cooked, they can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Despite this, most bubble tea stores will not sell their boba after 24 hours because it will start to harden and lose its chewiness.

The traditional preparation method is to mix the ingredients (sugar, powders, and other [[flavoring|flavouring]]s) together using a bubble tea shaker cup, by hand. However, many present-day bubble tea shops use a bubble tea shaker machine. This eliminates the need for humans to shake the bubble tea by hand. It also reduces staffing needs as multiple cups of bubble tea may be prepared by a single [[barista]].