bubble tea

[buhb-uhl tee]

noun

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

bubble tea

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bubble tea¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

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

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I used to spend ¥30 on bubble tea every day,” says cafe regular Wang Bo.

Read more on Barron's

The security guard reclaimed his chair, sipping on a milky bubble tea.

Read more on Slate

He, Dianne and I used to get bubble tea and hang out at Lacy Park.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

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 ]