Boba Tea Near Me Locator

Boba tea has been taking the world by storm, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Want a Boba tea?

Then use a free Boba tea near me locator to find restaurants and cafes that sell boba tea, including boba tea bars and boba tea cafes. Plus, boba tea specialists have everything you need to create your own taste sensations in the comfort of your own home!

Exactly What Is Boba Tea?

Traditionally, boba tea is a sweet, milky tea drink made of black tea, milk powder, sweetened condensed milk, and tapioca pearls.

It can be served hot or cold…

However, as its popularity grows, it’s clear that consumers prefer a sweet cold beverage over a hot variety.

Green tea is also a very common base for this incredibly refreshing bevy that originated in Taiwan. And today, there are hundreds of different varieties and combinations you can enjoy. You can opt for sugar or honey to sweeten your tea instead of condensed milk, or both! Plus, the powdered milk can be swapped out for fresh milk or a milk alternative like soy, almond, oat, or rice milk. 

Interestingly, this type of drink goes by many different names, so if boba tea isn’t all that familiar, maybe you’ve heard it referred to as one of these alternatives:

And many, many more!

It really depends on the location and the store you are visiting. In fact, there are over 200 flavors of bubble tea, plus thousands more combinations you can create with your own specific tastes and personalization. You can even get a Yakult added to your iced bubble tea to help with healthy gut bacteria if you are frequenting a YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea shop!

To Milk or Not To Milk

Generally speaking, boba teas fall into one of two categories. A milk tea, or a non-milk tea, otherwise known as a tea latte. Nowadays, there are many types of milk available, including fresh or powdered cow’s milk, soya milk, coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, and rice milk.

So, no matter your eating habits and specific dietary requirements, there is something available for everyone.

That being said…

Depending on where you are and what you are ordering, there might be some grey areas! In this case, it’s one of the prime sweeteners used to create bubble tea, sweetened condensed milk. If you are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, then be sure to request an alternative to the condensed milk component. Along with the type of milk.

Because, as delicious as it is, it is derived from dairy and high GI sugars, so will no doubt cause your intolerance to flair up.

Great alternatives are sugar, honey, agave nectar, and stevia, to name a few. Plus, nowadays, there are vegan and dairy-free sweetened condensed milk substitutes that a lot of sellers should carry. 

More on this later…

How to Use the Boba Tea Near Me Locator?

By now, you’re probably only thinking about Boba tea and want to get your hands on one, so how do you do that?

Well, it’s very easy; simply open up Google Maps (or your favorite map App) and enter the words ‘Boba Tea Near Me.’ You will then see the locations of everywhere that sells Boba Tea near where you are. You can then click on any of them, to find its name, address, opening hours, contact info, etc.

Then select the one that looks the most tempting, or the closest, if you are in a rush, and Google Maps will tell you how to get there and how long it will take on foot, in a car, and on public transport.

More Boba Tea Locators

If you have already tried a number of different Boba tea outlets and have decided that you have a favorite chain, then visit their website, and they will more than likely have a locator tool that will show the location of all their stores, including the ones closest to you.

However, they will not show competitors’ stores, so it’s best to use this method if you only want a refreshing Boba Tea from your favorite chain.

Boba Tea: A Brief History

Boba Tea first came about in the 1980s in a little tea shop called Chun Shui Tang, located in Taichung, Taiwan. Lin Hsiu Hui was a huge fan of milk tea and tapioca pearls, and her brilliant idea to combine the two saw the birth of bubble tea which has completely revolutionized the tea industry.

Not long after Hui’s drink creation, boba tea’s popularity spread like wildfire throughout Taiwan and then Asia. And then, it hit the California shores of the United States in the early 1990s.

Hui’s original recipe called for Taiwanese black tea, tapioca pearls, milk powder, condensed milk, and plenty of ice. It was to refresh folks on hot and humid days and also offered some nutrition due to the tapioca pearls. 

Is Tapioca Boba Tea Good For You?

Like most things, in moderation, it is! If you prefer your Taiwanese Pearl Tea without sugar and inclusive of additives like lemon or honey, then you are already off to a good start.

You may not know that…

Honey is used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agent, and antioxidant. Meanwhile, the antioxidant known as vitamin C is at high levels in lemons. Moreover, Vit C helps protect cells from damage and assists in replenishing collagen levels in the skin. It also facilitates iron absorption in the body and supports the functions of the immune system.

Tea has many health benefits, and when you have one as the base of your boba tea, it is no different.

Your body will benefit from antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids. Which work by rounding up and suppressing free radicals whose main purpose is to cause damage to the cells in your body.

Black Tea, White Tea, Green Tea, and Oolong Tea all have different levels of these antioxidants but no matter which one your tastebuds prefer, they all have perks. 

As for milk, there are also many benefits…

For cow’s milk, there are important nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and protein. Soy milk is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which the body is unable to create on its own. Yet is integral for reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

If almond milk is more to your taste, then revel in the knowledge that it’s rich in Vitamin E. An antioxidant that scavenges free radicals that mean to cause your cells harm. Plus, it contains magnesium which is imperative for muscle function, blood pressure, blood sugar control, and replenishing bone, proteins, and DNA strands. 

Additionally, coconut milk contains high levels of magnesium, potassium, and phosphorous, which are electrolytes that assist the body in maintaining good PH and hydration levels. Potassium is vital for healthy muscle function and aids in the maintenance of a regular heart rhythm. Magnesium also boosts a healthy immune system and maintains nerve and muscle function.

Phosphorus is essential for building bones…

The health benefits of oat milk are that its full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats and is known to lower blood cholesterol levels. And it is high in fortified vitamins like vitamin B, which is imperative for bone health.

Meanwhile, rice milk is a great source of calcium and is rich in vitamins A, B12, and D. Vitamin A plays an integral role in making sure the body has normal vision. Plus, it boosts the immune system, aids the reproduction system, and is vital for healthy growth and development. Vitamin A is also essential for high-functioning heart, lungs, and other organs.

Vitamin B12 is all about healthy nerve functioning and the creation of DNA. And it helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a debilitating blood condition. Vit D can reduce cancer growth, help keep infections at bay and reduce inflammation while assisting in the body’s ability to absorb bone-building essentials like calcium and phosphorus. 

Lastly, tapioca pearls contain a whole host of minerals and have no saturated fat. Minerals like calcium, which aid in good bone health, and iron, which is imperative for high levels of oxygen transportation throughout the body. 

Boba Tea, Classed as Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy, or…?

 Boba tea comes in all shapes and sizes, flavors, and textures. So if you live your life and eat following a specific lifestyle or set of guidelines, you might be wondering if boba tea is something you can enjoy and still stick to your beliefs. Well, thankfully, boba tea is so versatile and can be made to numerous specifications. As we know, boba tea is a drink traditionally made from tea, sweetener, ice, and chewy tapioca pearls. 

The tea itself falls into every single category. So if you are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy free, or sugar-free, then you can easily opt for a simple yet delicious ice-cold tea. Perhaps with a slice of lemon or orange for some added zing. 

For all the sugar-free consumers out there, simply steer clear of added sweeteners, including sweetened condensed milk. And obviously sugar, honey, agave nectar, sugar syrup, and most flavoring syrups. Instead, ask for stevia or another artificial sweetener. 

Or better yet…

Bring a sachet or two of your own. This way, you can hand it over to your tea creator, who shouldn’t have any issues adding it in as they make it for you.  

For lactose and dairy-intolerant people, opt for a non-milk tea! Otherwise, if you do love milk tea variants, simply switch out the regular milk powder for one of the many alternatives that are out there that we’ve mentioned before.

Like coconut, oat, or nut milk…

Make sure you choose an alternative to sweetened condensed milk as well, unless there is a vegan alternative offered!

Gluten-free drinkers should be fine across the board, as there don’t appear to be any ingredients that include gluten. And that includes the boba pearls as well.

 Meanwhile, vegetarians should be safe in consuming almost any drink available. And vegans should simply opt for dairy-free milk, a dairy-free condensed milk sweetener, and definitely not add honey. But as a vegan, you likely know that already.

What Does Boba Tea Look Like, and How Does It Get Served?

Boba tea is very recognizable by its dark round tapioca pearls that usually collect at the bottom of the cup. It is mostly an iced drink, usually a fairly colorful liquid, depending on the flavor you order, which can become opaque with milk additives or a more translucent liquid if milkless.

Bright additives like rainbow jelly and fresh fruit can really make it look like a fun and exciting drink to try.

The container?

Bubble tea can be served in a multitude of different vessels. Though the main would be in a clear plastic cup, with a bubble-shaped lid and specialized boba straw. These straws are extra large in capacity, so you can suck up a tapioca pearl without any difficulties!

The straw was traditionally plastic. But in the great plastic debate, and with many of them ending up in the ocean and disabling the sea life, you will most likely find yourself being given a paper or bamboo straw.

Another way the drink is served is in the same type of plastic cup, but instead of an open, removable bubble lid, you might find you have had your drink properly sealed with a heated plastic cellophane.

A superior option, as…

This is a handy move since the drink is completely drip resistant until you are ready to pierce the top with your straw and break the seal. Meanwhile, if you are not on the go and instead opt to enjoy your refreshing boba in a cafe or restaurant, it will more than likely be served in a large glass. 

Evolved From A Simple Refreshing Drink

Indeed it has. What started out as a refreshing humble drink has evolved into a world-dominating beverage. And a range of food items inspired by it.

You can find bubble tea-flavored candies, bubble tea yogurt, and bubble tea chocolate bars. Along with bubble tea ice cream, and even popcorn!

These all sound tasty…

But then there are also some more interesting creations like bubble tea toast, bubble tea chips, bubble tea sushi, bubble tea ramen, and even bubble tea pizza.

The Best Bubble Tea Shops Near Me

There are now countless establishments offering boba. And I’ve put together a list of the most popular boba tea chains to be found in the US of A, as well as the rest of the world.

And, when using google for a refreshing boba tea location, it will be handy to know some of the most popular names to look out for, whether traveling abroad or staying local. 

Kung Fu Tea

Offers amazing bubble tea at 350 locations in the US. It was founded in 2010 in Queens, New York, and has locations throughout America, Canada, Cambodia, Australia, and the United Kingdom. But Kung Fu Tea’s creator was also the instigator behind National Bubble Tea Day, which is an annual lovefest of bubble tea held on April 30. 

Gong Cha

Founded in 2006 in Taiwan, Gong Cha has quickly spread to over 150 stores across 11 states, including California, Washington D.C, Texas, and New York. Plus. Plus, there are more than 1,550 locations in 20 countries across the globe, and the company is expanding with new locations monthly, with projections of 500 stores within the next three years. 

Sharetea

A big-name chain based in 18 countries. Including the United States, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Canada, and Taiwan. With more than 500 stores in operation and many new locations due to open this year. Sharetea began its journey in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1992 and has been a long-standing contender for the best bubble tea across the globe.

Cha Time

Yet another strong contender originated in 2005 in Taiwan. Cha Time hit the shores of Australia circa 2009. Then grew exponentially to reach 38 countries with a total of 2,600 store locations. You can find Cha time in countries like Canada, China, Dubai, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam, and of course, the United States.

CoCo Fresh

Coco Fresh has over 4,500 locations worldwide, with new stores popping up everywhere. The baby of Tommy Hung first opened Coco Fresh in Tamsui, Taiwan, in 1997. Hung has created a global empire with many locations in Asia, Europe, across the South Pacific, and the Americas. Namely Sweden, Taiwan, the United States, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. 

YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea

Originally from Taiwan, 70 stores throughout reached the shores of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

What About US Fast Food and Specialist Coffee Chains?

Well, when opting for less traditional boba tea versions, the answer varies, depending on your favorite chain. So, let’s find out, Does McDonald’s Have Boba?

Starbucks fan?

We’ve got you! We can answer a variety of questions you may have, including Does Starbucks Have Boba, What Is A Handcrafted Drink At Starbucks, Does Starbucks Have Oat Milk, Do Starbucks Refreshers Have Caffeine, as well as How to Order a Medicine Ball on Starbucks App.

In fact, we have insider info on all of your US food and beverage favorites. Get a full guide to Who Owns Dr. Pepper, Where Does McDonald’s Get Their Meat, and Does Subway Still Have the Seafood Sub in 2023?

Just search our site!

Back to…

Final Thoughts

Boba tea is a delicious and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night. And in any situation!

It doesn’t matter if you have some sort of food allergen you need to be mindful of. You can still enjoy one of these delights with a huge variety of flavors and toppings. Moreover, Bubble tea, with chewy tapioca pearls and sweet milky tea or fruit flavors, is a drink sensation that is here to stay.

So, why not use the Boba Tea Near Me Locator to find your closest shop today?

And enjoy!