Going to Starbucks has become part of millions of Americans’ routines.
This chain of coffeehouses and roastery has a customer-centric culture and an inviting ambiance. It’s almost a reflex that many people start their day by passing through a Starbucks location.
While this franchise is popular for serving coffee, beverage lovers have made room to love boba. It’s also known as bubble tea. Boba is made up of tapioca pearls that are cooked with or coated in a flavored syrup. This drink is versatile, and it’s a highly customizable drink. So, does Starbucks have boba?
Here’s everything you need to know about Starbucks and Boba. So, let’s get down to it!
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Starbucks And Boba
Since Starbucks is a favorite stop for pretty much every type of beverage, you’d think that boba would be part of its impressive menu. But, alas, Starbucks, unfortunately, doesn’t serve this product. However, there’s still an extensive menu to choose from. So, why hasn’t this coffee powerhouse added boba to their menu? Let’s take a closer look.
Read more: Bob Evans Interview Questions
The Cost of Setting Up
It seems costly to set up boba equipment at every Starbucks branch. Staff members would also require training to make, package, and serve the drink. Boba is served in many flavors and has different toppings. Incorporating this into Starbucks’ already impressive menu is quite an expense.
Storage for the variety of flavors and toppings, containers, and seal film machines might not be available. This all boils down to cost vs. profit. Since Starbucks doesn’t sell boba, what other alternatives do you have?
Does Starbucks Have Boba? – Boba Alternatives At Starbucks
Boba has a sweet, milky, and fruity taste to it depending on your order. Starbucks offers alternative drinks which are close to the boba experience. Flavored ice teas and herb flavors are a good treat. Other alternatives are iced matcha tea latte and iced chai tea latte.
Some fruit juices are a good alternative for your cravings. You could try Evolution Fresh Organic Vital Berry, which is a smoothie blend of bright berries, orange, and mango. It has that delicious punch of Vitamin C. If you’re up for the challenge, you could make your boba tea using Starbucks ingredients. Here’s how…
Making Your Own Boba
Making your boba might be an interesting experience. Buy some Starbucks tea of your choice; a milky tea will do best. Then, purchase some tapioca pearls from your local Asian store. If the trip doesn’t fit in with your daily schedule, order online.
A packet of tapioca pearl with black sugar flavor will do the trick. These pearls are ready-made and well preserved. Depending on the brand, you might have to boil them in water until they have the right chewy consistency. All you have to do is add the pearls to your tea. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add some honey or syrup. Just like that, you’ll have your boba tea.
If that’s not enough, there are boba tea shops you could go to. Check this out!
Boba Tea Shops To Look Out For
Getting boba from Starbucks would have been ideal because they nearly have a store at every corner. The good news is that boba tea shops are on the rise, and you’re bound to find one accessible. Many Asian restaurants serve boba. Some chain stores have jumped on the wagon and offer a good range too.
- Kung Fu Tea is an international chain store operating in the US. Go on their website to see if they have a store in your location.
- Bubble Tea Supply offers wholesale boba products. They’re the first company to offer boba tea products online in the US. They offer home and party kits, giving you a chance to make your boba tea and experiment with the flavors.
Boba has gained a lot of popularity across the US. Have you ever wondered about its origin and why it’s popular? Well, it’s about to get interesting if you keep on reading…
The Origin And Popularity Of Boba
This sweet, milky tea combined with chewy tapioca pearls originates from Taichung City in Taiwan. It was first created by Liu Han-Chieh of Chun Shui Tang Teahouse in the 1980s.
It has been a beloved treat for decades, and it recently gained a large following in the U.S. Boba became prevalent in Japan and Hong Kong in the early ‘90s. Not only is it aesthetic and a content creator’s go-to product, but it tastes just as good.
The global bubble tea phenomenon…
If you’re keen on knowing the cultural phenomenon behind this drink, you should read The Boba Book: Bubble Tea and Beyond. This illustrative book features boba recipes while bringing bubble tea to the forefront of modern drinks.
The tapioca pearls are made from the cassava root. Brown sugar or caramel coloring is added. This makes them sweeter. So, why is boba continuously gaining popularity not only in the U.S but globally? Here’s what we found out…
1
Aesthetically Pleasing and Unique Taste
Boba is somewhere between being a fancy drink and a snack, thanks to its variety of colors, flavors, and textures. Its unique selling point is a combination of the chewy pearls and the sweet taste of the tea. The pearls give the drink a unique texture, something different from your daily cup of coffee or tea.
There are several flavors to choose from. The wide range of flavors includes exotic ones such as matcha, taro, and yes, even avocado flavored boba. Not only that, but the drink is customized perfectly well to suit each customer’s needs.
2
Variety
The standard tapioca pearls aren’t the only toppings offered. Other toppings include jelly in different flavors, such as grass jelly, aiyu jelly, and strawberry. You could also replace the pearls with red bean, mung bean, or fresh fruit. The most popular toppings are the black pearl milk tea and the green pearl milk tea.
One fascinating topping is popping boba. As the name suggests, when you eat it, it gently pops in your mouth and fills it up with its rich flavor. Research shows that the global bubble tea market is estimated to reach $4.3 million by 2027.
3
Packaging
Bubble tea packaging is done using clear plastic cups. This is done so that customers see the unique bubbles, topping, and hues. It enhances the drink presentation.
The airtight seals eliminate messes, and customers can enjoy their drinks on the go. If you’d like your own cups in your home, get a pack of reusable boba cups. They come with stainless steel straws and detachable silicone sleeves.
Starbucks Is A Great Place To Work!
To see what the company is about, check out my Starbucks Mission And Vision Statement Analysis, as well as How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Starbucks; and if you fit the bill, then apply today with my Starbucks Application and make sure you’re fully prepped with my Starbucks Interview Questions and Starbucks Barista Interview Questions.
You may also need to know Does Starbucks do Drug Tests and read up on Does Starbucks Hire Felons if you have a criminal record.
We also found a great variety of Boba merchandise such as the VHYHCY Cute Stuffed Boba Plush Bubble Tea Plushie Pillow Milk Tea Cup Pillow, the Boba Stickers 105PCS Kawaii Bubble Tea Stickers, Drink Stickers, Vinyl Cute, the ANGOOBABY Standing Pencil Case Cute Telescopic Pen Holder Kawaii Stationery Pouch Makeup, and the Niuniu Daddy Stuffed Boba Plushies 13.7in Squishy Bubble Tea Plush Toy Pillow all available online in 2023.
Does Starbucks Have Boba? – Final Thoughts
While it’s clear that Starbucks doesn’t have boba, there are still options when it comes to having this delicious treat. Starbucks’ menu offers teas, smoothies, and juices that have a similar taste to bubble tea.
This beverage has gained enough popularity, influencing the operation of bubble tea chain stores in the US. If you want a more authentic experience, you can check with your local Asian restaurants to find out if they serve boba tea. There’s a good chance that they do!
Hope you find your favorite Boba Tea and enjoy it!