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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask about Bubble Tea

78 replies

SunLover1985 · 19/06/2023 20:37

I’m a really unfussy eater and like to try new things.

I’ve never had Bubble Tea but it’s everywhere, especially in China Town of the city where I work.

I’d like to see what it’s all about but have no idea where to start.

Any tips?

OP posts:

Greenfree · 19/06/2023 21:08

I had one for the first time from Costa the other day, it was a blueberry one and I enjoyed it. Wouldn't rush to have it again though

Yikesno · 19/06/2023 21:09

I've tried Costa too and they're far too sweet and artificial for me. It would be a shame if someone was put off real bubble tea through trying a Costa one!

Chickychoccyegg · 19/06/2023 21:12

My dds and their friends love it, Im not keen, it's sweet cold tea, they would highly recommend mango tea with raspberry or strawberry bubbles, that's all their favourite.
I dont know anyone who likes the milk tea, looks pretty, but tastes horrible, but really its trial and error to see what you like.

Bovrilla · 19/06/2023 21:14

I have not had Starbucks or Costa one but suspect they're awful

I love a good one. Near me there's a superb one and their lemon jasmine tea is amazing.

I tend to stick to fresher and ask for no sugar like watermelon or rose and then add tapioca or a jelly but less often popping balls as I find them very sweet.

They're delicious done well though. I do love a classic milk tea with tapioca. No sugar, lots of ice. Yum.

StaunchMomma · 19/06/2023 21:17

I love it BUT it's kind of like Subway or Nando's in that you have to experiment a bit to find what you like and then you pretty much stick to it.

Fruit flavours only for us, none of the milky ones with the pointless sugar balls - Passionfruit or Mango tea only with, and only with because dear God they are delicious - lychee balls!

Defo an occasional treat though as they're around a fiver for a small!

SistersNotCisters · 19/06/2023 21:17

I don't like it but the kids wanted to try it. We're a million miles from anywhere that sells them so I ordered the bubbles from Amazon. I don't really get why people want to drink weird cold teas with odd bubbles that break and disappear on your tongue but whatever floats their boat I guess.

I will say that the bubbles aren't the worst thing I've eaten. They're weird, feel funny when putting them into your mouth but they're actually tasty (the cherry ones we tried at least) and a teeny bit fun because of the feel.

I must stress that these are the sweetie type bubbles not boba which I believe is tapioca?

gogohmm · 19/06/2023 21:21

The milk ones with tapioca are the best. They are nothing new, they are from Taiwan, was drinking them 25 years ago on the west coast of the USA (where I lived) don't think they are as sickly sweet there)

thesugarbumfairy · 19/06/2023 21:22

I really don't like it. My kids on the other hand - love it! I buy them flavoured tea and vanilla milk powder and if they want to buy their own popping boba from amazon then they are welcome to. They have one of those reusable cups each.

Uselessatthisstuff · 19/06/2023 21:22

I love the fruity ones with the popping bubbles. Passion fruit / mango / blueberry with rainbow balls. Great hangover cure.

ThrowAwayOne · 19/06/2023 21:22

Have tried a few variations but thought they were all disgusting so I asked the staff member what way they'd recommend it if I didn't like the ones I tried already. They advised a fruit tea (either strawberry or white peach for me) with no tea (so basically it's just juice), medium sugar, lots of ice and then whatever popping balls or jelly pieces you want. Really nice once you find the one for you.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 19/06/2023 21:22

How can anyone suggest trying anything with tapioca?

This is what stops me trying it. I see people enjoying them and I want to get one but then I think....tapioca?! No thank you.

gogohmm · 19/06/2023 21:23

But then I buy tinned tapioca as a treat

Hollyppp · 19/06/2023 21:25

Sounds bloody awful

Teddypops · 19/06/2023 21:29

I love the fruity ones with popping boba.

Don't like the milky ones.

TheGriffle · 19/06/2023 21:29

I’ve not had a milky one yet as I don’t think I’d like them but the fruity ones with fruity popping bubbles are sweet and delicious. I like any combination of drink/bubbles, mainly lychee, mango, raspberry or peach. It’s a bit of a push calling it tea, they put about a shot of jasmine tea in the last one I had.

TwoStepsAhead34 · 19/06/2023 21:30

Me and kids absolutely love them, but not as tea. My absolute favourite is lychee bubbles with lychee juice and ice. Eldest loves lychee bubbles with grapefruit juice and ice. Younger one prefers green apple bubbles with apple juice and ice. Also strawberry ones are nice (strawberry bubbles with strawberry juice/syrup). Perfect for a summer day.
We tried the milky ones, I can't remember what mine was, but it tasted and smelt like canned tuna water. It was revolting. Kids had theirs the same time too and all 3 went straight in the bin after tasting. Waste of £12.

lemonyfox · 19/06/2023 21:34

I love them, the milk based ones with tapioca pearls. Coconut or mango especially. I'm not a fan of the fruit jelly bits instead of tapioca, they're a bit too firm and funny-textured to me. Which I know might seem odd considering I love the tapioca pearls, but they're nice and chewy rather than firm. I like what I like! 😂

Yikesno · 19/06/2023 21:37

If you think cold tea with milk and a bit of sugar in it tastes nice (I do) then you'll probably like the milk ones. If you think it"s revolting, try the fruit ones but ask for 30% sugar if you don't like things that are very sweet.

tttigress · 19/06/2023 21:39

I used to have them quite often. It's like a milky tea with lots of sugar and tapioca or fruit balls.

Pretty sure it's not good for you calorie wise

Rewis · 19/06/2023 21:42

I'm a basic bitch. Assam milk tea, 100%sugar, 100% ice. No bubbles (I actually don't like the bubbles).

19lottie82 · 19/06/2023 21:48

Fruity ones with boba, 50% sugar and ice…. Best hangover cure going.

I tried a milky one one and it was rank. I don’t know if it was because it was like warm?

Takoneko · 19/06/2023 21:50

I really like a bubble tea. First had it in Taipei over a decade ago and was very excited when they started popping up here.

My order is almost always a standard milk tea with tapioca. Occasionally I might order a brown sugar one, but always milk tea.

I don’t tend to mess around with the popping boba or fruity teas. They are ok but don’t scratch the same itch for me.

Jux · 19/06/2023 21:54

I used to love tapioca pudding when I was a child, but haven't had it for years. Not seen bubble tea advertised anywhere but if I do I'll try the milk one first.

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 19/06/2023 22:02

I tried the fruit ones, too sweet, but it's just like cordial with different flavoured cordial balls that burst in your mouth. Over priced and gimmicky

eddiemairswife · 19/06/2023 22:02

We used to be inflicted with tapioca pudding at school. There's a reason it was called frogspawn.

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