Boba has taken the world by storm, with bubble tea shops popping up in cities around the globe. But beyond the classic milk tea lies an under-explored realm: Fruit Tea Boba. Dive with us into this refreshing and vibrant world with a homemade passion fruit boba.
What’s Fruit Tea Boba?
Fruit Tea Boba is a delightful fusion of traditional boba (tapioca pearls) with a base of fruit-infused tea. Rather than relying on milk or creamers, the emphasis here is on the aromatic and natural flavors of fruits. The result? A tantalizing, refreshing beverage bursting with a combination of sweet, tart, and sometimes even savory flavors.
Traditional Fruit Tea Boba Flavors
- Citrus Boba Tea: Typically made with a blend of teas and the zesty flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit, or yuzu.
- Berry Boba Tea: Think strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a sweet-tart delight. For a sweet, fruity flavor, strawberry tea boba is a classic. Strawberry tea is often made with fresh strawberry puree for maximum flavor.
- Tropical Boba Tea: This version boasts flavors from mango, pineapple, lychee, and passion fruit. This is my favorite. Passionfruit tea is one of the most popular choices for fruit boba tea. Passionfruit has a tropical, slightly tart flavor that pairs perfectly with chewy boba pearls.
- Melon Boba Tea: Refreshing tastes of honeydew, cantaloupe, or watermelon make for a perfect summer treat. For a light, refreshing flavor, honeydew tea is ideal. The melon gives this fruit tea a pleasant, understated sweetness.
Fruit tea boba- a healthier alternative to regular boba
Fruit Tea Boba can be considered healthier than some regular milk-based boba drinks, primarily if it uses fresh fruit infusions and limits added sugars. The absence of milk or creamer reduces the calorie count, and the addition of real fruits can introduce beneficial vitamins and antioxidants.
If you plan to make fruit tea boba at home, then it can be even healthier by choosing healthier version of sugar and fresh fruits.
Passion Fruit Boba
Ingredients
- 1 small small lime halved
- 3 slices lemon
- 1 passionfruit scoop the pulp
- Ice cubes
- 3 tbsp. black pearls
- 3 tbsp. coconut jelly
- 2-3 tbsp honey
- 300 ml jasmine green tea base (2 jasmine green tea bags + 300ml hot water)
Instructions
- Steep the tea
- Pour 300ml hot boiling water to 2 jasmine green tea bags. Let it steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let the tea liquid cool down.
- Mix the fruit tea base
- In a shaker, add the lime, meyer lemon slices, and ice cubes. Use a muddler to squeeze the juice.
- Add passionfruit, honey and jasmine green tea. Shake until well blended.
- Assembled
- To a glass, add the black pearls, coconut jelly at the bottom.
- Pour the mixture in.
- Finally, pour the shaken jasmine green tea mixture over the ingredients in the glass and stir gently to combine.
Video
Notes
Fruit tea boba vs. Milk tea boba
Let’s make a comparison of Fruit Tea Boba and Traditional Milk Tea Boba in terms of their main features, ingredients, and taste profiles. So you can make your own switch among them.
| Aspect | Fruit Tea Boba | Traditional Milk Tea Boba |
|---|---|---|
| Base Ingredients | Tea (often green or black) and fresh fruit or fruit syrup | Tea (usually black) with milk or non-dairy creamer |
| Flavor Profile | Fresh, fruity, and sometimes tart. Depending on the fruit, can be sweet or slightly sour. | Creamy, rich, and predominantly sweet with the deep flavors of tea. |
| Texture | Lighter, often more refreshing and can be icy. | Creamier and smoother due to milk or creamer. |
| Color | Translucent to slightly cloudy, often taking on the hue of the fruit used. | Opaque, usually in shades of light to medium brown depending on the milk or creamer quantity. |
| Common Add-ins | Popping boba, fruit jellies, chia seeds, etc. | Tapioca pearls (boba) are the most common. Others include pudding, grass jelly, and red beans. |
| Vegan Options | Typically vegan, but always good to check for any non-vegan sweeteners or additives. | Requires substitutions like almond, oat, or soy milk to be vegan. |
| Customizability | High. Can mix and match different fruits and add-ins. | Moderate. While you can adjust sweetness and milk type, flavor revolves around the tea and milk combo. |
| Popularity | Rising in popularity as a fresh and lighter alternative. | Well-established and widely recognized worldwide. |
| Best For | Those who prefer a less creamy drink and enjoy the natural sweetness and flavor of fruits. | Those who love a creamy texture with a balance of sweetness and the robust flavor of tea. |
While both Fruit Tea Boba and Traditional Milk Tea Boba have their roots in similar cultural beverages, they cater to slightly different palates. Fruit Tea Boba offers a fresher, fruit-forward experience, whereas Traditional Milk Tea Boba provides a creamy, indulgent feel with the comforting essence of tea. The choice often boils down to personal preference and mood!
Choose the best tea
The tea base itself is an important part of any fruit tea boba. Different tea types pair better with certain fruit flavors. Here’s a breakdown of the best tea bases for fruit tea boba:
| Tea Base | Best Paired Fruit Flavors | Why it Works Well |
|---|---|---|
| Black Tea | Passionfruit, mango, strawberry, pomegranate, blueberry, cherry, peach | Black tea’s bold flavor stands up well to strong fruit flavors without overpowering them. It brings an aromatic tea flavor. |
| Green Tea | Honeydew, strawberry, peach, pineapple, orange | Green tea’s grassy, vegetal notes complement light fruit flavors. It provides a fresh, delicate base for fruit boba. |
| Oolong Tea | Mango, pineapple, peach, orange | Oolong has floral aromas that taste great with tropical fruit flavors. It adds complexity. |
| White Tea | Honeydew, strawberry, orange, apple | White tea’s mild flavor highlights light fruit flavors. It lets the fruit be the star without competing. |
Toppings and Mix-ins for Fruit Tea Boba
Don’t forget to finish off your fruit tea boba with delicious toppings and mix-ins. These additions provide texture and extra flavor. Here are some tasty topping ideas:
- Boba pearls – The classic chewy boba pearls are a must in any fruit tea boba. Their soft, gummy texture pairs perfectly with the fruity tea.
- Pudding – Silky pudding makes a great topping, adding sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Taro and coconut puddings are popular choices.
- Fruit jelly – For extra fruit flavor, fruit jelly pieces provide bursts of sweetness with each sip. Popular flavors include lychee jelly, passionfruit, strawberry, and mango.
- Crystal boba- You can mix in boba pearls with crystal boba.
- Popping boba – These little juice-filled balls literally pop in your mouth. The liquid centers intensify the fruitiness.
Can milk to added in fruity tea boba
Milk is not recommended for fruit tea boba drinks made with high acid fruits like citrus, berries, pineapple, etc. The reason is that the acids in these fruits can cause the milk to curdle or separate. If you prefer to add some milk and turn it into fruity bubble tea, choose fruits naturally lower in acid like melon, peach, mango, banana and apple. These fruits play nicer with dairy milk.
Calories
A minimalistic fruit tea boba with just tea, a light fruit infusion, and boba could be around 180-250 calories. However, once you add in sweeteners, especially in large amounts, or use concentrated fruit syrups instead of fresh fruit, and introduce additional toppings, the calorie count can quickly escalate to 300-500 calories or even more.
To manage the caloric intake while enjoying a fruit tea boba:
- Request Less or No Added Sweeteners: Many boba shops allow customization.
- Opt for Fresh Fruits: They not only add natural sweetness but also provide nutritional benefits.
- Be Mindful of Toppings: While they enhance the experience, they can also substantially increase the calorie count.
Fruit tea boba vs fruity boba
Fruit tea boba and fruity boba may seems similar, but they are different.
Typically, Fruit tea boba is with a fruit tea base without milk.
While fruity boba is milk tea with boba infused with other fruity flavors. Honeydew bubble tea is the most popular fruity boba.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes! Fruit Tea Boba, by its inherent nature, is vegan. However, one should be cautious about certain toppings or sweeteners like honey. When ordering, always confirm with the shop about the ingredients to ensure they align with vegan requirements.
While traditional boba is defined by its creamy texture and strong tea flavors, Fruit Tea Boba is all about lightness and fruit-forward tastes. The absence of milk highlights the fruit, making the drink more aromatic and refreshing. The texture contrast between the chewy boba and the often icy-cold fruit-infused tea offers a unique experience.
Most commonly, green or black tea is used, but oolong and white teas are also popular bases for their delicate flavors.
While boba pearls are a staple, many shops offer alternatives like fruit jelly, popping boba, or agar pearls.
It’s best consumed fresh, but if needed, refrigerate for a few hours. Note: boba pearls might harden or become chewy when cold.
In the vast universe of boba, Fruit Tea Boba stands out as a beacon of refreshing and fruity delights. Whether you’re a boba aficionado or a newbie, this is one drink that promises a burst of freshness with every sip! 🍓🍋🍵🍍🍉🌱🥤.