Boba, or bubble tea, is a widely beloved beverage that originated in Taiwan and is now served in coffee shops and restaurants throughout Hawaii. Over time, the term has evolved to include other drinks and treats, often finished with delicious toppings. If you want to enhance your beverage the next time you order one, review the most popular add-ons below.

A Guide to Popular Boba Toppings

1. Tapioca Pearls

The original version of boba features tea, milk, and sweeteners shaken and served over ice. Traditionally, it also includes tapioca pearls made from cassava starch, brown sugar, and water. These sticky, chewy balls create a delicious flavor and textural contrast against the cold beverage.

Restaurants often serve these drinks with straws featuring large openings, allowing the pearls to enter your mouth with each sip. You can also enjoy these toppings in boba smoothies. These drinks include tea, milk, sweeteners, and flavorings blended with ice, poured into a glass, and finished with tapioca pearls. 

2. Jellies

Jellies are popular alternatives to tapioca pearls. Made from real coconut meat, they are shaped into small squares or rectangles after manufacturers add fruit flavorings and colorings. These toppings turn beverages into delightful treats with their chewy texture, similar to gummy bears or fruit snacks.

The add-ons are available in various flavors, including mango, passion fruit, strawberry, and pineapple. Rainbow jellies, which feature a combination of these flavors, are among the most popular toppings for bubble tea, smoothies, and shave ice. Alternatively, you can ask a cafe to include one or two of your favorites in your drink. 

3. Popping Bubbles

Popping bubbles are small pearls that have fruit juice inside them. After biting them, they explode in your mouth, adding delicious fruit flavor to bubble tea and blended drinks. The outer casings are usually made from seaweed extract and contain juices of fruits such as kiwi, pomegranate, green apple, and peach. 

They can also have yogurt fillings, lending a delectably smooth and creamy texture to drinks while providing an extra touch of sweetness. Adding popping bubbles as a topping on shave ice or ice cream will provide a delicious burst of flavor.

The next time you're in the mood for beverages and treats served with your favorite boba toppings, head to Xpresso Cafe in Waipahu, HI. Besides providing bubble tea, smoothies, and shave ice, they also offer coffee, lunch, and dinner to patrons throughout Oahu. Call (808) 744-8091 to place a take-out order and visit the website to browse their menu.