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

Ellen Jenkins from food and drink consultancy HRA Global draws a comparison between the appearance of the drinks and "gimmicky bubble tea or the bright vapes".

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

Research in Taiwan found that by age nine, children who drank bubble tea regularly were 1.7 times more likely to develop cavities in their permanent teeth.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

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

That’s evident in wildfire sales of Labubu dolls, jewelry and bubble tea, trends that have minted big bucks for the companies behind them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

I sip bubble tea and have frozen yogurt.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi