The Massive Amount Of Bubble Tea Combinations Available

Bubble tea, also known as boba, is a popular drink in Asia that has also expanded into a craze in the United States. While the exact origins of this famed drink are debatable (per the Taipei Times), it usually consists of a milk or fruit base. Served with an iconic, thick straw designed to slurp up toppings (like the traditional tapioca pearl), Taiwan's national drink has found fans everywhere.

In the United States alone, the bubble tea market size in 2019 was already at a staggering $2.02 billion. According to Fortune Business Insights, the boba tea market is poised to grow to $3.37 billion by the end of 2037. The classic bubble tea drink is written in Chinese as 珍珠奶茶 (zhēnzhū nǎichá), or pearl milk tea, with the pearl referring to the chewy tapioca balls. Walk into any bubble tea spot, and you'll find an extensive menu with lots of variety and options to create your own boba drink. And the number of possible bubble tea combinations may surprise you.

According to Taiwan Data Stories, locals in Taiwan often customize their bubble tea drinks according to taste. A bubble tea drink consists of five different elements: one or two bases, milk (which can come fresh, powdered, or substituted for a milk alternative), a flavor provided by syrup or another ingredient, and finally, a texture topping that can be enjoyed through the thick bubble tea straws.

In their research, Taiwan Data Stories found that store menus alone provide options for 157 unique drinks. But with new toppings and flavors constantly being innovated — as well as customization options for sweetness level (which may make bubble tea a little less unhealthy) and the amount of ice used in the boba — there are over 12 million possible combinations of bubble tea beverages to try. You can make your own virtual bubble drink combo on the Taiwan Data Stories website.