bubble tea

American  

[buhb-uhl tee] / ˈbʌb əl ˌti /

noun

1. a frothy East Asian beverage consisting of sweetened tea with milk or flavorings, usually served over black pellets, or pearls, of tapioca.

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bubble tea British  

noun

1. a cold drink, originally from Taiwan, of tea infused with fruit flavouring, shaken to produce bubbles, and served over tapioca pearls in a clear cup. It is usually drunk through a very wide straw

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Usage

What does bubble tea mean? Bubble tea, also known as boba, is a Taiwanese drink of tea infused with milk or fruit and served over tapioca balls, called bubbles or boba. How is bubble tea pronounced?[ buhb-uhl tee ]

Etymology

Origin of bubble tea

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Studies of children in China who frequently drink bubble tea have found higher rates of anxiety and depression.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

Alibaba 9988 -0.45%decrease; red down pointing triangle has committed more than $430 million to a campaign offering free bubble tea and other items to users who order food through its Qwen chatbot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

There have been plenty of food and drink crazes over the years - matcha, bubble tea, cronuts, and the Starbucks olive oil coffee that we're still disappointed didn't really catch on.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

The bubble tea shop has drinks named after different New York City neighborhoods, offers multiple tea and juice bases, as well as dairy alternatives.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

If he was taking me to the bubble tea place, he couldn’t be that angry, right?

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence