Learn about the origins of bubble tea and how to enjoy it while honoring its roots.
Is bubble tea healthy?
A dietitian gives her answer.
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registered dietitian based in New York
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Another indicator of just how beloved boba tea has become in the U.S.?
The fact that this month, food giantDel Monteis releasing the first shelf-stable boba tea,Joyba.
You want to be able to enjoy the delish drink while honoring its roots, right?
Consider this your guide to boba tea.
What is bubble tea, and what health benefits does it offer?
Tea with milk was already a common drink in Taiwan.
Miyashita says when bubble tea is made with these simple ingredients, it is full of nutritional benefits.
That being said, she does highlight some specific benefits of choosing green tea.
registered dietitian based in New York
Green teacontains a catechin called EGCG, she says.
This specific pop in of catechin hasbeen shown to inhibit tumor growth.
Basically, you cant go wrong.
Miyashita says while they certainly arent unhealthy, their nutritional benefits are minimal.
Tapioca derives from cassava tubers and consists of starchy carbohydrates but fewer fibers.
Cassava itself contains nutrients such as vitamin C and calcium, ironbut little, she says.
When cassava is cooked [as they are when making boba tea], most nutrients are destroyed.
Thats why tapioca pearls have fewer health benefits.
So while the pearls are part of the essence of boba tea, they arent exactly nutrient rich.
Condensed milk typically contains sugar, she says.
Yenici says the other reason is because tapioca pearls take time to cook.
For example, this is one drink they definitely werent going to use a can for.
Instead, they use cups that come with straws big enough for the pearls to fit through.
DiFalco says it certainly wasnt easy to figure out how to create a shelf-stable boba tea.
As Yenici highlighted, the obstacles are very real.
Figuring out the cups themselves, he says, was one hurdle.
Then, of course, was the work of creating boba tea flavors that were authentic and delicious.
While the brands commitment is honorable, there are some differences between Joyba and traditional boba tea worth noting.
Its also made with brewed tea and calcium lactate, not milk.
These changes allow the beverage to not spoil as easily.
With that in mind, the fact that boba tea is becoming easier to find is definitely a positive.
I mean, how many drinks come accessorized with pearls?
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