Boba tea is made by layering the tapioca pearls in a cup and then pouring in tea that’s been sweetened and made creamy with milk or cream. The drink can be served hot or iced and is often served with a thick straw so that the pearls rise to the top as you drink and you can chew them. Boba tea can also include other ingredients like fruit puree or syrup, green tea jelly, or aloe vera.

Boba originated in Taiwan and became popular in the United States in the late 1990s when Taiwanese tea chains began selling it. Today, boba tea is a global phenomenon with boba shops all over the world. It’s often consumed as frequently as coffee, soda, and smoothies and is popular with people of all ages.