What is chai bubble tea?
Chai — the Indian word for tea — is used in the West to describe a spiced milk tea made from black tea and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, combined with milk and sugar. Combine this aromatic masala chai with the bubble tea concept from Taiwan and you get chai bubble tea: warm or cold, spicy and creamy, with chewy tapioca pearls at the bottom.
Why chai bubble tea is booming right now
Chai drinks are booming in Switzerland and around the world. You will find a chai latte in every café — but chai bubble tea takes the experience to another level. The depth of the chai spices, the creamy texture of the milk and the chewy fun of the tapioca pearls add up to a drinking experience with no real equivalent.
The most popular chai bubble tea variations
- Classic masala chai boba: black tea with a spice blend (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves), whole milk, brown sugar and black tapioca pearls. The classic.
- Iced chai milk tea: served cold — ideal for summer. Chai concentrate over ice with milk and pearls.
- Dirty chai boba: masala chai + a shot of espresso + tapioca. For caffeine enthusiasts.
- Chai matcha fusion: chai spices with matcha powder — a spicy, earthy combination.
- Vegan oat chai boba: chai with oat milk and vegan tapioca — completely plant-based.
The spices in chai: what is in it?
- Cardamom: the most important chai spice. Floral, warm, slightly citrusy.
- Cinnamon: warmth and sweetness — a perfect match for black tea.
- Ginger: fresh and sharp — gives chai its bite.
- Cloves: strong and spicy — they provide the depth.
- Black pepper: optional, but traditional — it rounds off the masala character.
- Star anise: in some recipes — it adds a liquorice-like note.
Make your own chai bubble tea — step by step
With our bubble tea set you can easily make chai boba at home:
- Bring 300 ml of water to the boil with 1 tbsp black tea, 3 cardamom pods (lightly crushed), 1 cinnamon stick, 2 slices of fresh ginger and 3 cloves — simmer for 5 minutes.
- Strain, mix with 200 ml milk and sweeten (raw cane sugar or honey recommended).
- Cook the tapioca pearls according to the instructions and let them soak in brown sugar syrup.
- Pearls into the glass, add ice (for the cold version) and pour the chai latte over the top.
- Pop in a boba straw — done!
Tip for more intensity: soak the spices the evening before and let them steep overnight in the fridge (cold brew chai).
Buying chai bubble tea in Switzerland
You will find all the ingredients — tapioca pearls, sets and accessories — in our online shop, with delivery across the whole of Switzerland. From Zurich and Bern all the way to St. Gallen.
FAQ: chai bubble tea
Does chai bubble tea contain a lot of caffeine?
Masala chai is based on black tea and contains roughly 40–70 mg of caffeine per cup. With an espresso shot (dirty chai) correspondingly more. Caffeine-free versions are possible with rooibos or herbal tea.
Is chai bubble tea vegan?
With oat, soy or almond milk and vegan tapioca pearls, chai bubble tea is completely vegan.
Can I drink chai bubble tea warm as well?
Absolutely! Warm chai boba is a real treat, especially in winter. The tapioca pearls stay chewy in the warm version too — though not quite as long as in the cold one.
What is the difference between a chai latte and chai bubble tea?
A chai latte is a classic coffee-house drink without toppings. Chai bubble tea adds tapioca pearls (or other toppings) and is usually served cold — with a wide boba straw so you can drink the pearls.