What Is It?
For those who have never had it, bubble tea, also known as boba tea, may seem like a strange beverage with a fat straw and little black spheres on the bottom of the cup. However, bubble tea is popular in Northern Virginia with multiple cafes offering different types of toppings and flavors of tea. Bubble tea is originally Taiwanese but is also widespread in other Asian countries. The boba in the tea are tapioca balls made with tea that are sucked up through the fat straw. The liquid part of the beverage is usually some sort of milk tea or fruity drink such as a smoothie. There are a variety of different tea flavors such as taro milk tea, which is flavored with the taro root; thai tea, which is black tea with condensed milk; and rose tea, among others. Some common fruit flavors include strawberry, mango, lychee, peach and even avocado. Boba tea can be either hot or cold, so it’s good for both winter and summer.
Types of Bubbles
The most common choice for bubble tea is boba, which are chewy black tapioca balls. Boba can be solid or filled with fruit juice, in which case it is called popping boba. Most cafes and restaurants offer other options, such as jelly, which are gelatin cubes that can be herbal or fruity in flavor, and sweetened beans such as red or mung beans. Some places also offer small aloe pieces or pudding.
Flavors
Milk teas are, as their name indicates, milk mixed with tea. They can be made with black tea, green tea, oolong tea or many other types of tea. This type of tea is best with the addition of regular boba, sweet beans or herbal jelly, as some may find that the fruity and milk flavors clash with popping boba or fruity jelly.
Fruity jelly and popping boba may be more appropriate with fruity drinks like smoothies and iced fruit teas. This is just a general suggestion and not a rule, as bubble tea is all about what you like. There are nearly endless flavor combinations to customize drinks to personal taste, so have fun trying out new flavor mix-ups.
Where to Get Your Fix
Song Long Deli
Eden Center, 6769 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church
Manoa Bakery Café
7326 Little River Turnpike, Annandale
Kung Fu Tea
13830 Lee Highway, Centreville
7895 Heritage Drive, Annandale
1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean (Tysons Corner Mall)
(one coming to Springfield)
Shilla Bakery
7039 Little River Turnpike, Annandale
10940 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
6015 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville
1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean (Tysons Corner Mall)
QTea Café
10728 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
TNR Café
2049 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
