Half of the name of this drink indicates that it contains tea.
And we all know that tea has caffeine. So the answer to this question is a resounding, “Yes.” But, as with anything related to caffeine, there is more to the story than just a simple yes or no.
When it comes to bubble tea there are ways to increase the amount of caffeine in your drink, and ways to avoid it completely.
Whichever you prefer, there are options available to you.
Table of Contents
What is Bubble Tea?
Have you ever tried bubble tea?
If not, you’re missing out on a delicious treat! Bubble tea is a type of Taiwanese tea that is mixed with milk and has chewy tapioca balls at the bottom.
It’s a refreshing and unique drink that has become popular all over the world in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at bubble tea and find out what makes it so special.
Bubble tea consists of four main ingredients:
- tea
- milk
- tapioca balls (also called “pearls”)
- and syrup or fruit flavorings
Traditionally, black tea is used but green tea or white tea can also be used.
The tapioca balls are cooked and then added to the bottom of the cup before the tea is poured over them.
The drink is then shaken so that the tapioca balls become mixed in with the tea.
Some people prefer to use a straw to eat the pearls as they drink while others simply leave them at the bottom of the cup.
How Much Caffeine is in Bubble Tea?
The amount of caffeine in bubble tea can vary depending on a few factors, such as:
- the type of tea used
- the size of the drink
- and whether or not additional ingredients like coffee are added
On average, a 16 oz cup of bubble tea made with black tea leaves contains around 100 mg of caffeine.
This is about the same amount of caffeine as you would find in a cup of coffee.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may want to stick to smaller sizes or choose a different type of tea like green tea, which has less caffeine than black tea.
In addition to varying by size and type of tea, the amount of caffeine in bubble tea can also differ depending on whether or not extra ingredients like coffee are added.
For Example – A small cup of bubble tea with 1/2 shot of espresso added will have about double the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of black tea boba.
Chocolate, believe it or not, is another inclusion that has caffeine.
While not nearly as much as espresso, there are still trace amounts of caffeine. In 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup, there is only about 2mg of caffeine.
While this isn’t a lot, some people are sensitive to caffeine.
It’s important to remember that caffeine is a stimulant and can have side effects like increased heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia.
Caffeine Free Alternatives
If you are sensitive to caffeine, there are some options for you.
Fruit-Based Bubble Tea
Fruit-based bubble tea is a type of bubble tea that is made with fruit juices or purees instead of tea.
Common fruits that are used to make fruit-based bubble tea include:
- mango
- strawberry
- and lychee
Since there is no tea, there is no caffeine in a fruity bubble tea.
Just make sure that when you order this type of tea, it is made with fruit juice and not a fruit-flavored tea.
Herbal Bubble Tea
Herbal bubble tea is a type of bubble tea that is made with herbal teas like:
- ginger tea
- peppermint tea
- or chamomile tea
These teas are made from dried leaves, seeds, and flowers that don’t contain caffeine.
These options are not very common in most bubble tea stores, so if you desperately want a peppermint bubble tea you might have to make it at home.
Decaffeinated Bubble Tea
If you don’t want to compromise on the flavor of your bubble tea, you can have it made with a decaffeinated version of the tea that you love.
Many stores offer decaffeinated black tea or green tea so you can still enjoy the taste of your favorite bubble tea without having to worry about the caffeine content.
Final Thoughts
Bubble tea can have a decent amount of caffeine, depending on what you put in your tea.
There are several caffeine-free options as well for those of you who can’t drink caffeine or would just prefer to avoid it.
Just be sure to check with your bubble tea shop before ordering, to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.
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