Tips

What are Toppings? A Guide to the Best Toppings for Bubble Tea Lovers

Introducing the world of toppings - the ultimate enhancers of the beloved boba tea beverage. These delightful add-ons are the heart and soul of the boba tea experience, taking the simple to the sensational. For the boba tea aficionados out there, we invite you to explore the most popular toppings that will elevate your tea-drinking adventures to new heights of deliciousness. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate sensory journey!

Administrator

23 July, 2024

If you’re a fan of the delicious and refreshing bubble tea, then you’re definitely familiar with the term “toppings.” Those crunchy and tasty add-ons are an essential part of the bubble tea experience, enhancing the flavor and texture of this beloved beverage. Imagine walking into a bubble tea shop with your friends and confidently ordering, “A cup of bubble tea with all the toppings, please!” Now that’s a true bubble tea enthusiast!

What are Toppings? Explore the World of Bubble Tea Toppings

But are you truly a bubble tea connoisseur if you don’t know all the different types of toppings available? Join us as we dive into the wonderful world of bubble tea toppings that every fan should know about!

1What are Bubble Tea Toppings?

Literally, “topping” refers to something that sits on top of or is added to the surface of another item, especially in the culinary context. In the case of bubble tea, toppings are the extra treats that are added to enhance the flavor and overall experience of the drink.

So, now you know what bubble tea toppings are! Simply put, bubble tea toppings include various types of jellies, tapioca pearls, and baked goods that accompany your drink.

These additions elevate the flavor profile of bubble tea and make it a more enticing and versatile beverage. Without the toppings, bubble tea just wouldn’t be the same!

The very first topping to grace bubble tea was the tapioca pearl, which made its debut in the 1980s in Taiwan. Since then, it has spread worldwide and become an iconic pairing with bubble tea.

2Types of Bubble Tea Toppings

Traditional Tapioca Pearls

These chewy, sweet pearls are the most common and classic topping you’ll find in bubble tea. They first appeared in Taipei, Taiwan, in the 1980s, and by the 1990s, they had gained popularity in Southeast Asian countries. By the end of that decade, they had become a staple in North American cities with significant Asian populations.

In Vietnam, tapioca pearls and bubble tea were introduced in the 2000s, although the drink didn’t immediately gain widespread popularity. In 2009, there were concerns about the use of plastic polymers in the pearls, which led to a decline in consumption and the closure of many shops. However, in 2012, Taiwanese bubble tea with a new business model stormed into the market and created a fever that hasn’t cooled down ever since.

Traditional tapioca pearls come in various colors and are usually made from cassava or tapioca starch, giving them a sweet, crunchy, and chewy texture. They can be flavored with fruits like taro, strawberry, or corn, among other options.

From the traditional pearls, creative variations have emerged, such as white, chewy, golden, and string-shaped tapioca pearls.

Check out some recipes for tapioca pearls:

Basic Tapioca Pearls
Colored Tapioca Pearls
Taro Tapioca Pearls
Strawberry Tapioca Pearls
Corn Tapioca Pearls

Agar-Agar Jelly Topping

Agar-agar jelly is another popular topping that adds a unique twist to bubble tea. With its crunchy, chewy, and bouncy texture, it’s a favorite among the youth.

Agar-agar jelly is typically made from agar-agar powder, gelatin, or a combination of both. While the process of making the jelly is not too complicated, it requires precision in heating and mixing the ingredients to achieve the right consistency.

Basic Agar-Agar Jelly

Nowadays, you can find hundreds of jelly flavors to pair with your bubble tea, so go ahead and explore to find your favorites!

Check out some recipes for agar-agar jelly:

Mango Jelly
Lychee Jelly
Strawberry Jelly
Passion Fruit Jelly
Coconut Jelly
Taro Jelly
Coffee Jelly
Chocolate Jelly
Green Tea Jelly
Red Bean Jelly

Cheese Jelly Topping

Cheese jelly is a delightful variation of the classic agar-agar jelly, featuring a cheesy center surrounded by a crunchy jelly exterior.

When you bite into a cheese jelly, you’ll first experience the crunch of the jelly, followed by the creamy, melted cheese—a truly indulgent treat!

Preparing cheese jelly at home is simple. You can make the outer jelly layer using the standard jelly-making process and then add a small piece of cheese before letting it set.

Check out some recipes for cheese jelly:

Basic Cheese Jelly
Mango Cheese Jelly

Jicama Jelly

Jicama jelly, or bang bang ji, took the world by storm a few years ago. It’s not just about the jicama, though—you can also add other types of seeds or fruits to create unique flavors.

To make jicama jelly, simply cut jicama, corn, taro, or other root vegetables into small cubes, coat them with tapioca starch, boil them, and finally soak them in a sugar syrup. It’s a simple process that yields a delicious and crunchy topping!

Crème Caramel (Flan)

Crème caramel, or flan, has evolved from a beloved dessert to a popular topping for bubble tea. If you’re a flan enthusiast, be sure to ask for it as a topping the next time you order bubble tea—you won’t be disappointed!

Flan is typically made with eggs, fresh milk, and condensed milk, and it can be flavored with caramel, coffee, green tea, and more. While the process of making flan is straightforward, it requires skill to achieve the perfect texture without ending up with a cracked dessert.

Basic Crème Caramel

Check out some recipes for flan:

Caramel Flan
Coffee Flan
Green Tea Flan
Chocolate Flan
Taro Flan

Pudding

Like flan, pudding has a soft, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. However, pudding also contains gelatin, giving it a chewy, sticky quality that sets it apart from flan.

Preparing pudding for bubble tea is simple and can be done with basic egg custard powder, resulting in a rich, creamy texture that pairs well with various flavors, from fruits to green tea and even cheese.

Check out some recipes for pudding:

Basic Egg Pudding
Mango Pudding
Green Tea Pudding
Cheese Pudding

White Fungus Jelly

White fungus jelly, also known as snow fungus, is a popular ingredient in Vietnamese desserts, including the well-known che khuc bach (white fungus sweet soup). It has a similar texture to tofu but with the addition of gelatin, giving it a chewy, bouncy consistency.

Check out a recipe for white fungus jelly:

White Fungus Jelly

Popping Boba ( Bursting Pearls)

Also known as Popballs, these tiny balls resemble tapioca pearls but with a juicy, flavorful center. They come in various flavors like strawberry, mango, and orange, among others. Despite concerns about their potential health risks due to plastic content, they remain a favorite choice for many bubble tea enthusiasts.

DIY Popping Boba

Other Bubble Tea Toppings

The world of bubble tea toppings doesn’t stop there! You can also find mocha balls, red bean paste, and even unique, brand-specific toppings like black sugar tapioca pearls, fresh lotus seeds, aiyu jelly, and Okinawan jelly.

3Where to Buy Bubble Tea Toppings?

If you’re an avid home bubble tea maker, you can certainly prepare your own toppings in small quantities. However, if you’re a bubble tea shop owner or planning to become one, it’s best to source your toppings from reputable suppliers to ensure quality and consistency.

The price of these toppings can vary, typically ranging from 50,000 VND to 200,000 VND per type and brand.

So, there you have it! We’ve explored some of the most popular bubble tea toppings that every fan should know about. Be sure to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect match. Stay tuned for more food-related tips and tricks to enhance your culinary adventures.

Frequently asked questions

Toppings are the extra ingredients that are added to bubble tea to enhance its taste and texture. They can be added to the bottom of the cup, mixed into the drink, or used as a topping. Popular toppings include tapioca pearls, jelly, pudding, and fruit.

There are various types of toppings that can be added to bubble tea, including: Tapioca pearls – These are the most common topping and are made from tapioca starch. They are chewy and provide a texture contrast to the drink. Jelly – Jelly toppings come in various flavors and colors, adding a soft, slippery texture to the drink. Pudding – Pudding toppings are usually made from milk and have a soft, creamy texture. They come in different flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Fruit – Fresh fruit pieces or puree can be added as a topping, providing a natural sweetness and flavor to the drink.

When choosing toppings for your bubble tea, consider your personal preferences and the overall flavor profile you want to achieve. Some factors to consider include: Taste – Choose toppings that complement the flavor of your bubble tea. For example, if you have a fruity tea base, you might want to add fruit toppings to enhance the freshness. Texture – Think about the texture you want in your drink. Tapioca pearls provide a chewy bite, while jelly adds a slippery mouthfeel. Visual appeal – Toppings can also enhance the visual presentation of your bubble tea. Choose colorful jellies or fresh fruit pieces to make your drink look more inviting.

Yes, you can definitely add multiple toppings to your bubble tea! This is known as a ‘mix-and-match’ approach and allows you to create unique flavor and texture combinations. However, be mindful not to overload your drink with too many toppings, as it may become overwhelming in terms of taste and texture.

While there are no hard and fast rules, it is generally recommended to match the toppings with the base tea flavor. For example, milk-based pudding toppings might not go well with fruity or herbal tea bases. Similarly, fresh fruit toppings may not complement milk-based teas as they could alter the flavor profile.