Bubble tea comes in countless variations — from classic milk tea with tapioca pearls to refreshing fruit smoothies with popping boba. In this overview you will learn everything about the most popular bubble tea varieties and how to recreate them at home.
1. Classic milk tea bubble tea
The original bubble tea from Taiwan: strong black or green tea, mixed with milk or condensed milk, sweetened and served with ice cubes. Added to that are the characteristic black tapioca pearls — soft, chewy and lightly sweet.
Most popular milk tea variations:
- Classic Black Milk Tea (black tea + milk)
- Matcha Milk Tea (green tea powder + milk)
- Ube Milk Tea (purple, with the purple yam ube)
- Brown Sugar Milk Tea (tiger milk)
- Thai Milk Tea (orange, intensely sweet)
2. Fruit bubble tea (fruit tea)
Fruit teas are the lighter alternative to milk tea — ideal for anyone who does not want dairy. The base is a fruity tea (hibiscus, passion fruit, mango), rounded off with fresh fruit, fruit purée and popping boba in matching flavours.
- Mango Passionfruit Tea
- Lychee Oolong Tea
- Peach Hibiscus Tea
- Blood Orange Fruit Tea
3. Matcha bubble tea
Matcha has been the absolute trendsetter for years. The finely ground Japanese green tea powder gives bubble tea an intense green colour and a slightly earthy, bittersweet taste. Combined with oat milk and tapioca pearls it is a real treat.
4. Brown sugar boba (tiger milk tea)
The Insta favourite par excellence: through the side of the glass you can see the caramel-coloured brown sugar streaks — hence the name “tiger milk tea”. The pearls are caramelised in brown sugar and topped up with fresh milk. Sweet, creamy, irresistible.
5. Yoghurt bubble tea
Less well known, but extremely refreshing: bubble tea on a yoghurt base. The creamy acidity of the yoghurt harmonises perfectly with fruity popping boba and makes this type a lighter summer drink.
6. Slush & frozen bubble tea
For hot summer days: bubble tea as a slush or frozen version. Tea and fruit are blended with ice — similar to a smoothie, but with boba pearls. Mango slush with popping boba in particular is a crowd favourite.
Making bubble tea yourself: the right ingredients
Would you like to try all of these varieties at home? With our bubble tea sets you have everything with you — from tapioca pearls through powders to fruit pearls. Perfect for beginners and for the more advanced.
Have a look at our guide too: Making bubble tea at home: the ultimate beginner's handbook
Conclusion: which bubble tea variety is right for you?
The choice of bubble tea varieties is huge — and that is the beauty of it. Whether you are a fan of creamy milk tea, prefer fruity teas or want to try something out of the ordinary such as brown sugar boba: there is a perfect variety for every taste. Start today and discover your favourite bubble tea variety!