Boba, or bubble tea, is gaining popularity all over the world!
You’ve likely seen it before: tall tea-based drinks with tapioca pearls or fruit chunks inside, sometimes topped with cream or pudding, sipped through a wide and colorful straw.
But is there milk in boba?
Traditional milk tea does contain milk. Other boba favorites can be made from blended teas and fruit and do not contain milk. The pearls are made of tapioca and do not contain milk or gelatin.
If the dairy content of boba depends on you, how can you choose a dairy-free option? Which common ingredients should you look out for, and can you substitute dairy milk for alternatives like almond milk or oat milk? Keep reading to find out!
Is There Milk in Boba?
Traditional boba, or bubble tea, is made from tea, milk, and tapioca pearls. Therefore, this version of boba does contain milk.
However, boba is an incredibly versatile drink, so it doesn’t have to contain milk if you don’t want it to!
So what are some options for dairy-free boba?
You can order a fruit tea boba instead of the traditional milk tea, such as mango or lychee green tea!
These are naturally dairy-free choices that still deliver incredible and refreshing flavor.
Do Boba Pearls Contain Dairy?
For the most part, nope! The tapioca pearls used in boba drinks are naturally dairy-free. They’re also plant-based, as the traditional tapioca pearls are made from the cassava plant.
Since boba is so versatile, you can make it a totally vegan drink if you want to! Just use caution regarding other ingredients in the tea, such as particular sweeteners. Some boba pearls are sweetened with things like honey, so clarify with your local boba shop before ordering!
Can You Use Almond or Oat Milk in Boba?
If you love the flavor of traditional milk tea but want to skip out on the dairy, you can use dairy-free milk instead!
In fact, the smooth and unique flavors of almond milk and oat milk pair well with black tea, making them a fantastic choice for a dairy substitute.
Most boba shops will have these options available, so if you’re keen on milk tea, ask your server before ordering!
Which Boba Toppings Contain Dairy?
Many toppings that come with bubble tea are dairy-free, but some popular options contain dairy. So which is which?
Popular boba additions like pearls, grass jelly, aloe vera, and fruit chunks are all dairy-free.
You can mix and match your toppings with different kinds of fruit teas for an almost endless list of dairy-free choices!
Other options such as pudding, custard, and whipped cream contain dairy, so if you’re looking for a dairy-free drink, avoid these!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a versatile drink, look no further than boba! While it traditionally contains dairy, almost endless combinations of tea, fruit, and toppings can give you a tasty dairy-free drink.
