The texture might not be for everyone, but for those willing to try, I can assure you this drink is delicious. They're pretty customizable to suit different tastes. If you don't want to try making one at home, there are numerous shops that offer them.
This tea drink is a more recent item in Omari and is popular among younger folks. It's also called bubble tea due to the common shape of the "pearls" mixed into the beverage. There are specialty shops that sell boba specifically, but it may also be found in some cafes or even in food trucks.
Ingredients
There are two main types of boba: milk based and fruit. Both use tea as the main component; the types offered vary, but the most common are black, green, and white tea.
Added to the tea is either a milk of choice or a fruit juice / flavoring. Other syrups may be added like caramel or chocolate. Some shops offer unique flavor options based on their access to local ingredients.
The final and signature addition are the "mix-ins". Black tapioca pearls are the standard across all shops. Some offer other tapioca like white or strawberry. Another type is popping pearls. These are orbs of fruit juice encased in a thin membrane that forms through a process called spherification. Some shops may offer different jelly cubes as well.
Most pearls are spheres, but certain stores may offer fun shape variations. Common ones include cute animals, stars, flowers, or hearts.
Process
Preparing boba is a simple process. The barista takes a plastic cup and fills it with the proper amount of tea and other liquids. They leave enough room to add the mix-ins before bringing the cup over to a special machine.
In most cases boba cups are sealed with a thin plastic layer. This machine uses heat to seal it over the opening. Once closed, the drink is handed over with a colorful straw. These straws are much wider than standard ones to allow the pearls to travel through it while drinking.
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