With the current boba craze, the popularity of pearl milk tea has rivaled coffee. Many love the sensation of boba pearls rushing into your mouth along the rich milk tea via the thick bubble straw.
Do you know that there are more topping choices for your milk tea other than black boba pearls?
You can look at these 10 pearl milk tea toppings from Gong Cha. We also give some recommendations on other toppings and drinks combinations.
Pearl Milk Tea Toppings
1. Black Boba Pearls
The iconic black pearls that we all call boba. Chewy to taste and shiny to look at, this boba topping is a must in your milk tea order.
The dark appearance is all thanks to the brown sugar added in the tapioca starch. Some boba drinks like Brown Sugar Milk Tea would add an extra layer of brown sugar syrup, making the boba pearls look more lustrous.
2. White Boba Pearls
This is how boba pearls would turn out without adding brown sugar into the tapioca starch.
The clarity of the white boba resembles the shiny pearls picked from oysters. White boba is a less sweet alternative for milk tea topping. You can also add both black and white boba pearls into your pearl milk tea, hence twice the happiness.
3. Milk Foam
Gong Cha’s specialty is its signature milk foam topping. It is a thick layer of salted whipped cream on the surface of the freshly brewed tea, displaying a contrasting sight of opacity and transparency.
Some topping menus have an option of adding flavor to your milk foam, like matcha or Oreo crumbs. You might encounter menus with cheese foam, which is a combination of cream cheese and whipped cream.
4. Pudding
Maybe you are someone who enjoys smooth sensation in your mouth. Hence, pudding might be an excellent choice for your milk tea.
The most typical pudding topping for boba tea is the yellowish egg custard that we all love. You can find some flavored alternatives in certain stores, giving your drink extra taste.
5. Ai-Yu Jelly
This crystal-clear golden jelly may be uncommon in the US, but it is a well-known dessert in Taiwan. The color originates from the yellowish fig seed gel, which has a thirst-quenching property.
Ai-yu jelly is best enjoyed with sour or sweet drinks, such as lemonade or honey green tea.
6. Herbal Jelly
Many would get intimidated by herbal jelly’s bitterness and appearance. In fact, herbal jelly is a healthier alternative to boba pearls.
The main ingredient for this jelly is the aged and oxidized leaves from the mesona plant, which helps in cooling down body heat. Try out herbal jelly if you are having a sore throat, or struggling from the summer heat.
7. Aloe
Although aloe is a limited item from Gong Cha’s menu, this would not stop you from attempting this topping for your milk tea.
Eating aloe vera is beneficial for detoxification and digestion, which can further improve your skin condition. This topping is suitable if you want to enjoy a cup of ice tea or slushie with extra chilly sensation in the mouth.
8. Coconut Jelly
This translucent jelly results from the fermentation process of coconut water into gel form. Although it is tasteless if eaten individually, coconut jelly is still a popular topping choice in many Southeast Asian desserts.
With black boba pearls, they form this duo topping band named QQ. QQ is a Chinese slang word that means ‘chewy’, referring to the texture of both toppings. They mix well with fruit tea, giving more excitement to this sweet tea.
9. Basil Seeds
People with trypophobia are not a fan of this small, clustered seed, but it contains high fiber that aids in digestion.
The neutral taste of basil seeds makes it compatible with many beverages. However, if the sight of the cluster in clear fresh tea makes you uncomfortable, you can attempt adding them in thick slushies.
10. Red Bean
Red bean, or adzuki bean, is a common ingredient in many East Asian desserts. When boiled with sugar, it becomes red bean paste (anko). Depending on how it is mashed, the paste would turn out either slightly mashed or completely smooth.
From the boba drinks menu, you might notice red bean as a default topping in matcha drinks. The earthy sweetness of the beans is essential to balance the matcha’s bitterness.
Already decided on which toppings you should try out first? Or still hesitating on your topping choice? No rush in settling on one. You will soon discover your topping choice for your pearl milk tea after several experiments.
LokaEats has other food-related tips and menus, so visit our website to explore more.
Already decided on which toppings you should try out first? Or still hesitating on your topping choice? No rush in settling on one. You will soon discover your topping choice for your pearl milk tea after several experiments.
LokaEats has other food-related tips and menus, so visit our website to explore more.
