Green tea bases are best paired with fruit flavors. Some shops will offer white tea, which is an even lighter tea than green. You might also be able to choose from specialty green tea bases like peach green tea, or green tea chai.
A black tea base pairs well with both fruit flavors and creamy, nutty, or chocolate-y flavor profiles. You may also see Oolong tea as an option for a base flavor. Oolong tea is in between green and black teas in both caffeine content and flavor. Like black tea, they combine well with both the fruity boba flavor options and the creamy ones. [1] X Research source
Milk alternatives include: almond, coconut, soy, and oat. Expect to pay 50 cents to 1 dollar extra for these substitutes. If you want a fruit flavored drink but want to balance the sweetness of the fruit with some fat, try a milk base. A good example of this is a mango flavored boba tea with a coconut milk base. Be aware that some shops use condensed milk which can double the sugar content of your drink. Ask your server about the milk they use if you’d rather avoid this very sweet alternative. [2] X Research source
If you don’t want a milk base but still crave something creamy, try a blended tea base. The crushed ice will provide the creaminess you want.
Examples of fruit flavors include: mango, strawberry, lemon, lychee, banana, pineapple, and peach. You might also encounter botanical flavors like rose and lavender. Fruit flavors often come in syrup form and are higher in sugar content. Creamy flavors include: chocolate, coffee, coconut, chai, almond, and red bean. These flavors are often in a powder form and are sometimes mixed with milk solids or tea solids.
Banana Mango Strawberry Blueberry Avocado
A shot of espresso in your milk based mocha or chai tea will give you the boost you’re after.
Ask your server about his or her favorite specialty tea. Often employees contribute their own concoctions to the specialties list so they are eager to share their knowledge.
You will be given an extra wide straw to drink your iced or blended tea. Be aware that the tapioca pearls will be sucked up with your liquid. Avoid swallowing them whole.
Avoid swallowing boba pearls whole. They are similar in texture to gummy candy and are best enjoyed through chewing. Some shops offer popping boba pearls. These pearls are made with fruit juices inside of them so when you bite down you experience a burst of fruit flavor. Popping bobas are best in fruity teas. [4] X Research source
Try a chai milk tea served warm with a pudding add-on. A pudding add-on brings an extra layer of flavor to a matcha green milk tea over ice.
Try an iced lime green tea with aloe vera jelly to cool off on a hot summer day. Get adventurous and add the slightly bitter, roasted taste of grass jelly to balance out the sweetness of a mocha milk tea.
