Boba tea or bubble tea is one of the famous beverages we have. It originated in Taiwan and spread quickly throughout the world due to its taste and aroma. In Taiwan, it is known as Pearl milk tea because of the bubbles at the bottom and froth at the top. But many nutritionists raise some questions about this tea, and one of them was the caffeine content.
So, does Boba tea have caffeine?
Yes, boba tea or bubble tea has caffeine in it, but it’s not enough to cause any health complications. One cup of boba tea contains 100 to 170 mg of caffeine, depending upon the tea used.
If you want to know what kind of tea, flavors, and milk are added to boba tea and how they affect health, then continue reading.
Table of Content
Why Does Boba Tea Have Caffeine?
Taiwanese did an experiment by adding milk, tea, and sugar and then shaking it vigorously. The foam appeared like froth, so the name bubble tea was given.
Since Boba tea is made from tea, there is caffeine content in it. Boba Tea does have more caffeine than any normal tea, but probably not more than coffee.
A normal tea contains 45 mg of caffeine, while coffee may contain 100 mg to 300 mg, depending on the type. A cup of bubble or boba tea has around 120 to 170 mg of caffeine.
The reason there is a “range” is that different teas have different caffeine content.
What kind of tea is added to Boba tea?
There are many types of teas added to make Boba tea. Let’s have a look at them one by one.
Black Tea:
It is the most popular tea that is also used in making boba tea. It gives a strong touch to the tea, thus making it the first choice of 90% boba tea lovers. Whether you add dairy milk or sweetener, the touch and smell of black tea still remain.
A small cup of black tea contains around 45 to 85 mg of caffeine. Contrarily, a small cup of coffee roughly contains 90 to 110 mg of caffeine.
Green tea:
After black tea, the most commonly used tea to make Boba tea is Green tea. Green tea also contains caffeine, around 40-50 mg per small cup.
Jasmine Tea:
People also add Jasmine tea to make Boba milk tea. It has less caffeine than black tea, so it is less strong. A small cup of jasmine tea has 20 to 30 mg of caffeine.
Oolong tea:
Oolong tea is another tea that people add. However, it has less caffeine content than black tea, which is around 30-35 mg per small cup.
Let us tell you what more ingredients are there to make a boba tea.
What Other Ingredients Are Present In Boba?
In addition to tea, there are different other ingredients added to make a delicious cup of boba tea.
Tapioca Pearls:
Do you see bubbles in the bubble tea? It is because of the Tapioca pearls. However, that’s not why we call it bubble tea. The reason for its name is the foam that also appears similar to bubbles.
Tapioca pearls are made from the tapioca flour which is made from the root extract of the cassava plant. Although they are not very nutritious, they certainly increase the taste value of the tea. They have a smooth texture and chewy trait that pair perfectly with a beverage like Boba.
Some people wonder- Does Boba pearl have caffeine? No, tapioca pearls are made from tapioca flour and do not contain caffeine of any kind.
Sugar:
This ingredient of Boba tea raises questions about its health status. However, you can simply control this by adding sugar in a low amount or replacing it with healthier alternatives like honey or brown sugar.
Milk:
Whether you want to add animal milk or plant-based milk like oat milk depends solely on your preference. If you are lactose intolerant or just don’t like milk, request the waiter to bring Boba tea that includes non-dairy milk.
Some people have a misconception and think that milk tea does not have caffeine. Well, this is not true, and the caffeine is present in the “powdery tea” added.
Jellies:
Although jellies are optional, you can really enhance the flavor if you add them. Filipinos commonly add Jellies made from coconut water.
Flavorings:
Sweeteners are the real flavoring that changes the taste of boba tea. You can add chocolate, cherry, lavender, strawberry, and many other different kinds of flavorings.
Two questions we often get regarding this are:
- Does strawberry boba tea have caffeine?
- Does taro boba tea have caffeine?
Yes, both have caffeine in them because both are made by adding black or green tea.
The best flavor that pairs well with boba tea is Matcha. People also ask, what does Matcha boba tea taste like? Well, it tastes vegetal, floral, and creamy.
Does Boba fruit tea have caffeine?
No, boba fruit tea does not have caffeine. So, those who are sensitive to caffeine like to order this Boba tea type.
Similarly, people also ask- Does lychee boba tea have caffeine?
No, any fruit or herbal boba tea does not contain any caffeine. So, that’s the answer to your question- What boba tea doesn’t have caffeine?
Benefits of drinking Boba tea?
There was a debate happening in the past that boba tea is not suitable for kids due to the caffeine content. Moreover, some also said that this tea is not for those who have a weak immune system. Well, your kid can enjoy boba tea in moderation, while people with any immunity can drink it.
In fact, there are huge health benefits to drinking boba tea.
Reduce Inflammation:
The antioxidants in the Boba tea reduce inflammation. However, you have to take care of the sugar content, as more of it can lead to more inflammation.
Weight loss:
People ask, can you lose weight by drinking boba tea? Yes, you can. The nutrients in the boba tea fasten up the metabolism process. When the metabolism process is quicker, fat cells break down into energy; hence you lose weight.
Reduce heart problems:
The antioxidants in boba tea can make the blood vessels strong. Hence, they won’t be easily damaged, and the chances of heart problems occurring will be less.
Unhealthy Side of Boba tea
There are some problems associated if you keep drinking boba tea regularly.
Diabetes:
Those with diabetes often ask, Is boba tea good for diabetes? No, it is not. The sugar and sweeteners in this drink make it unhealthy for those suffering from high blood sugar levels.
Constipation:
The tapioca pearls can cause constipation. However, this only happens if you drink many cups of boba tea. Tapioca pearls increase in size in the stomach; thus, they can cause blockage in the intestine.
Pimples:
One question we often get is- Does boba tea cause acne? Yes, the boba tea increases the heat in the stomach, which eventually leads to pimples on the face and other body parts as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many calories are there in a Boba tea?
There are around 120 calories in a boba tea. This quantity may vary depending upon how much sugar you are adding, which milk you are using, and what other ingredients you are adding.
Is boba tea good for the stomach?
Yes, boba tea is good for the stomach as it improves the digestion process. However, you should not drink boba tea regularly as it might cause constipation and stomach pain due to over-sized Tapioca pearls.
Is there too much caffeine in boba tea?
No, there is not too much caffeine in boba tea that can cause any harmful effect on your health. Humans can tolerate up to 400 mg of caffeine in a day, while only 170 mg of caffeine is present in boba tea.
Final Thoughts
Boba tea, or bubble tea, is one of the most famous teas which is enjoyed worldwide. It is popular due to its taste, aroma, and the bubbles in it. Some people raised questions about its health status, and one of the reasons they gave was the caffeine content. So, does Boba tea have caffeine?
Yes, boba tea contains around 100 to 170 caffeine, depending upon the tea added. You can enjoy health benefits like reducing inflammation, smooth digestion, and improving heart health by frequently drinking Boba tea. Lastly, we suggest you keep using the healthy ingredients in any drink or food to live a healthy life!
