If you’ve spent any time on a college campus in recent years, you’ve probably seen at least one shop dedicated to bubble tea, otherwise known as boba. This trendy Taiwanese beverage has been around for a while, but its global popularity continues to increase, with one report from the consulting firm iMarc Group valuing the U.S. boba market at $878.7 million with an expected increase to over $1.7 billion by 2034.
The U.S. is the fastest-growing market for bubble tea, according to analysis from market research company Mordor Intelligence, with social media platforms like Instagram being a likely factor in the beverage’s international exposure, particularly among Gen Zers.
For the uninitiated, bubble tea consists of an iced tea base — often black, green, oolong, white or Thai teas or milk — and includes chewy tapioca balls at the bottom, which you sip through a straw practically the width of a garden hose. You can also order it with juice-filled popping boba pearls, or just order tea by itself.
Many iterations and potential add-ons are on offer with bubble tea, which we’ll get into while checking out some boba spots around Tarrant County.
Coffees, smoothies and jelly toppings at Nepa Tea
Jelly is one of the toppings available at Nepa Tea in North Richland Hills. The toppings come in green apple, coffee, coconut, mixed and lychee coconut varieties. Of course, they also have the popping pearls and tapioca boba options.
Nepa Tea’s menu lists three special drinks: the Dirty Boba, Taro Milk Tea and Matcha Milk Tea. Milk teas are a common feature at most bubble tea shops, and Nepa Tea has another 18 iterations on hand. Many are fruity in nature, such as banana or strawberry milk tea, though an avocado option is available.
For traditionalists, there are jasmine green and Assam black teas and, for fruit lovers, there are several, including raspberry, red guava, lemon, kiwi and passion tea. There are smoothies, slushes, coffee and frappuccinos, as well.
9127 Boulevard 26, Suite 130, North Richland Hills; 817-300-4027
Yogurt teas, boba lattes and aloe juice at Ding Tea
For some eclectic flavors, try Ding Tea in Arlington, which offers aloe vera juices in either kiwi or honey varieties. The kiwi version can be made with regular, little or no sugar.
Other drink bases include green tea Yakult or yogurt, boba lattes, strawberry or mango slushes and the usual milk or jasmine teas. The milk teas and black boba lattes can also come with light or no sugar, and Yakult is a fermented Japanese probiotic dairy drink.
Optional add-ons at Ding Tea are crystal or golden boba and coconut, coffee or grass jellies, all of which are .75 cents extra.
2425 SE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington; 817-609-9999
Cheese foam, refreshers and iced coffee at Bubble Well
The menu for Bubble Well shows nine add-in options: tapioca or crystal boba; mango or strawberry popping boba; aloe vera, coffee or lychee jellies; and cheese or sea salt foam. Cheese foams in this context are apparently made from milk or heavy cream blended with cream cheese to add some savory sweetness into the mix.
This business has another location in Denton and brands itself as drawing inspiration from “cultures around the world,” according to its website, from Thai milk tea to Japanese matcha. Like at Ding Tea, customers at Bubble Well can customize their drinks’ sweetness, ranging from no extra sugar or 0% to extra sweet at 125%.
Bubble Well’s menu shows green tea, hibiscus tea and lemonade refreshers, milk teas, iced coffees, a Seasalt Caramel coldbrew, and fruit or taro smoothies.
5910 Azle Ave., Suite 200, Fort Worth; 682-368-4682
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Erin Ratigan is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in narrative news features. You can find her on X @erinratigan.
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