What is Popping Boba? How to Make Popping Boba at Home?

 

Popping Boba, also known as Popping Bubbles Boba, Boba Popping Pearls, or Bursting Popping Boba, is a popular accouterment used in desserts and drinks. This sensational little gel-like sphere is bursting with flavored juices, syrups, or other liquids that pop when bitten into. Hence the name, “Popping Boba”! These glorious little globes provide a whole other level of complexity to a drink or dessert that you didn’t even know you needed! Boba Tea Popping Pearls are a must-try! 

Where Does Popping Boba Come From?

 

With origins stemming from Taiwan, it’s said that Popping Boba first burst onto the scene in the 1980s. It started with the traditional tapioca pearls and continued to evolve into a whole new world of outrageously interesting orbs. Today, Bubble Tea Popping Boba is used as a topping for bubble tea, frozen yogurt, and other desserts in many countries around the world, including the United States, where it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Boba Popping Bubbles has certainly made a significant impact on the world of desserts and beverages.

What is Popping Pearls Boba Made of? 

These aren’t your regular run-of-the-mill boba balls! No ma’am! Popping Boba is made using molecular gastronomy, which is just a fancy way of saying cooking that uses science to create new and unique dishes! Yummy! The Popping Boba formation process starts by combining sodium alginate, calcium lactate, or calcium chloride. From there, a flavorful fruity juice is introduced, and a perfect Popping Boba ball is born! This process is referred to as spherification, and it’s the secret to the thin gel-like shell and juicy fruit center that is Popping Boba.

What are the Different Popping Boba Flavors?

There are a plethora of different Popping Boba flavors to enjoy!  There are more traditional flavors such as strawberry Popping Pearls, mango, peach, and pomegranate. But it most certainly doesn’t stop there! The list continues with even more intriguing flavors such as lychee, kiwi, passionfruit, and blueberry.  If that wasn’t enough you could also sink your teeth into green apple or even cherry Popping Boba. If you can dream it, it can become a Popping Boba ball!

What is the Difference Between Popping Boba and Tapioca Boba?

Different Types of Boba 

Popping Boba

 

There are a plethora of different types of boba out there, making drinks and desserts around the world more delectable with every sip! Let’s start with the star of the show, Popping Boba! Highly sought after for its ability to burst with every bite, it’s free of tapioca and filled with fruity, juicy goodness. These Bursting Popping Boba make all the others seem so much less exciting. As the old saying goes, once you pop, the fun doesn’t come to an end! Or something like that.

Black Boba Balls

 

This daring dark globule of goodness is what you might be most familiar seeing floating around in a traditional milk tea. They are similar to regular boba in the sense that they’re made using tapioca. The dark mysterious allure comes from the addition of molasses or brown sugar that added to keep you coming back for more.

Clear Tapioca Pearls

 

There’s no mystery here! These chewy little bouncing bubbles are as plain jane as they come. They're more like the supporting actors to the leading actress known as milk-based bubble tea. Since the simple tapioca starch used to make these orbs is flavorless, they can be used however you like! They’re a blank canvas there to absorb the flavors that surround them. They can be used as is to absorb the flavors of the milk-based bubble tea they join. For a little something sweeter, sugar can be added to the mix when forming the pearls, or they can be stored in a sugary syrup or honey for a sugar rush like no other!

Flavored Boba

Just when you think you’ve tried all the tantalizing Boba, another one joins the party! Flavored Boba combines the satisfying chew of the Tapioca Pearls and douses them with a sweet fruity syrup taking it to the next level. The fruity-flavored syrups can be anything from green tea to mango to anything else in between! You’ll find these spheres swimming in drinks like smoothies and even traditional brewed teas. 

 

Mini Boba 

 

Bobbing for Boba has never been more fun than discovering these little cuties in your cup! The Mini Boba is just a tinier version of the flavored, clear, and black boba you already love. Sometimes it’s just more fun to gobble up these petite pearls! 

 

 

Crystal Boba 

Meet the newest boba kid on the block! Crystal Boba is made from the underground stem of the Konjac plant. Konjac flour is processed into small, translucent balls that are not as chewy as traditional Boba. Crystal Boba is more transparent and has a texture more similar to  firm gelatin.

 

Popping Boba V.S. Tapioca Boba

 

The ingredients and texture are what distinguish Popping Boba from traditional Tapioca Pearls. The pearls have a chewy texture and don’t offer that same pleasing pop as the Popping Boba balls. They’re also made, as the name suggests, with tapioca starch. Tapioca doesn’t have much of a flavor on its own, so sweeteners like flavored syrups or honey are added to make the boba more bodacious. Tapioca Pearls also need to be cooked where as Popping Boba never sees the heat unless they’re swimming in a warm beverage.

 

What Goes Well with Popping Boba or Tapioca Boba

 

           Both types of boba lend themselves better to certain types of beverages or desserts. Tapioca Boba thrives in a warmer environment. The texture of tapioca boba maintains its chewy texture best

           when it can be nestled in a warm beverage. Popping Boba however lends itself nicely to all kinds of cool treats! Frozen yogurt popping boba is a classic combo!

 

How to Make Popping Boba With or Without Sodium Alginate at Home

 

When it comes to Popping Boba ingredients and making the tasty treat at home, get ready to throw it back to your days in the high school science lab! Molecular gastronomy is arguably cooler than dissecting that frog back in the day though. Anyway, the ingredient list is short and simple and includes fruit juice or flavored syrup of your choice, sodium alginate, calcium lactate, and water. Sodium alginate is a natural gum that’s extracted from seaweed and it’ll be used here as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and gelling. The calcium lactate is a salt that will react with the sodium alginate, forming that gel-like membrane around the fruity liquid filling. 

 

For the recipe without the sodium alginate, you’ll use agar-agar. This is simply a gelling agent that comes from algae that will help to form these perfectly poppable pearls.

Popping Boba Recipe With Sodium Alginate

Here’s how to make popping pearls

Ingredients:

• 150 g fruit juice of choice

• 5 g sodium alginate

• 50 g drinking water

• 6 g calcium lactate

• 1 liter distilled water

• 2 cups clean water for rinsing

• Food coloring (optional)

Equipment:

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Small spoon or dropper

• Strainer

• Bowl of cold water

Instructions:

1. Dissolve calcium lactate in distilled water and let it sit for four hours or overnight. Afterward, strain the solution.

2. Combine sodium alginate with drinking water and stir until it becomes thick and smooth. Add food coloring (if desired), and stir until smooth.

3. Keep the juice in the refrigerator for a maximum of two hours. Prepare a bowl of two cups of clean drinking water to rinse the pearls after preparation.

4. Use a dropper or syringe to add the juice mixture drop by drop into the calcium lactate solution. Allow it to sit for ten minutes.

5. Afterward, rinse the pearls repeatedly with clean drinking water, and they are ready to use.

6. Serve your popping boba in any way you prefer!

Popping Boba Recipe Without Sodium Alginate

How to make popping boba without sodium alginate

Ingredients:

• 1 c vegetable oil

• 1 c fruit juice

• ½ tsp agar agar powder

• 2 c cold drinking water

Equipment:

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Sauce pan

• Dropper

• Strainer

• Bowl of cold water

Instructions:

1. Place vegetable oil into a container and freeze it for an hour.

2. In a saucepan, mix juice and agar powder. Heat the mixture over medium heat and stir continuously until it boils.

3. After turning off the heat, let the mixture cool for ten minutes. Transfer it to another heatproof bowl and allow it to cool for another ten minutes.

4. Using a dropper, take the juice mixture and drop it into the frozen oil. The drops will solidify into popping boba and settle at the bottom.

5. Strain or scoop the pearls out of the oil and put them in a bowl of cold, clean water. Rinse them multiple times.

6. Once drained, let the pearls air dry for a few minutes before serving and enjoying.

Popping Boba Calories & Nutrition

The number of calories in Popping Boba can vary depending on the specific brand, flavor, and serving size. However, in general, Popping Boba is relatively low in calories compared to other sweet treats. According to poppingboba.com, their boba contains 35 calories and not much else other than 6g of carbs and 6g of sugar for a 30g (2 Tablespoon) serving size. They are also gluten-free, fat-free, and cholesterol-free.

 

On the other hand, when you start combining the Boba with drinks and desserts the Popping Boba nutrition tends to change drastically. For example, if you go to Pinkberry and order a matcha frozen yogurt with Popping Boba you’re looking at anywhere from 90-380 extra calories and an additional 17-73g of sugar depending on the size.

 

Where to Buy Popping Boba

If you're looking to personally purchase Popping Boba for yourself, your family, or your friends, online marketplaces like Walmart and Amazon are great places to start. If you're a business that would like to buy Popping Boba Alibaba is a great resource. The easiest way to get in touch with Alibaba and other online wholesalers like poppingboba.com and bobateadirect.com is directly through their websites.

 

Tachiz is your one-stop shop for all things Popping Boba! Whether you’re an individual looking to get your pop on or a company that wants to buy Popping Boba bulk, Tachiz has you covered. Tachiz stocks bursting boba and popping boba pearls at incredible wholesale prices. Tachiz is one of the most popular places to purchase Popping Boba online. They’re a well-known and respected retailer in the Boba community, and their products have received rave reviews from customers! They have 10 tantalizing Popping Boba flavors ranging from lychee to strawberry, and they all come in three convenient sizes to meet your needs.

FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)

How Long do Popping Pearls Last?

Unopened packages of Popping Boba Pearls can typically last for several months to a year when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The best place is in the refrigerator.

 

Once opened, Popping Boba Pearls should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days to maintain their freshness and texture. Over time, the texture of the pearls may become softer and less "poppable," so it's best to consume them as soon as possible after opening the package.

 

It's also important to note that some flavors of Popping Boba Pearls may have a stronger or more pronounced flavor than others, and the flavor may diminish over time. To ensure the best quality and flavor, it's always a good idea to check the expiration date and storage recommendations on the package and to consume the pearls as soon as possible after opening.

How do I store Popping Boba?

To properly store popping boba, follow these easy steps:

 

1. Keep the unopened package of popping boba in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The ideal temperature for storage is between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (10 and 20 degrees Celsius).

 

2. Once opened, transfer the remaining popping boba to an airtight container, such as a plastic container with a lid or a resealable plastic bag.

 

3. Place the container of popping boba in the refrigerator. The cool temperature will help to preserve the texture and freshness of the boba.

 

4. Avoid freezing popping boba, as this can cause the texture to become hard and chewy.

 

5. Use the popping boba within a few days to maintain the best quality and flavor. Over time, the texture of the boba may become softer and less "poppable."

Is Popping Boba Safe for Kids?

Popping Boba is generally considered safe for kids, but as with any food, it's important to consume them in moderation and to consider any individual dietary restrictions or allergies.

 

Popping Boba is made with natural fruit juices or syrups and a thin outer layer of edible alginate, which is a type of seaweed extract. The liquid inside the boba is typically a fruit juice or flavored syrup that "pops" in your mouth when you bite down on it, creating a burst of flavor.

It's important to note that some Popping Boba may contain added sugars or artificial flavors, so it's a good idea to check the ingredients list before giving them to kids. Additionally, Popping Boba can be a choking hazard for young children, so it's recommended to supervise children while they are eating them.

Is Popping Boba healthy?

In terms of nutrition, Popping Boba is relatively low in calories and fat. However, it is typically high in sugar, as it is made with sweetened fruit juices or syrups. Consuming too much sugar can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

 

Additionally, some brands of Popping Boba may contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. These ingredients may be harmful to health in large amounts and can also trigger allergies or sensitivities in some people.

 

It's important to note that Popping Boba is not a significant source of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients and should be consumed in moderation as a treat rather than as a regular part of a healthy diet.

 

Overall, while Popping Boba can be a fun and tasty addition to drinks and desserts, it is not necessarily a "healthy" food. It's important to consume it in moderation and to choose brands that use natural ingredients and limit added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Is Popping Boba suitable for vegetarians?

Generally speaking, Popping Boba is made from a combination of fruit juice or fruit puree, water, sugar, and sodium alginate. Sodium alginate is a natural vegetable gum derived from seaweed, and it is commonly used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in food products. None of those ingredients are derived from animals so it would be vegetarian-friendly.

 

However, some types of Popping Boba may also contain other ingredients, such as gelatin, which is not suitable for vegetarians as it is derived from animal collagen. 

How Many Calories Does Popping Boba Have?

On average, a serving size of 1-2 tablespoons of Popping Boba contains around 20-35 calories. However, this can vary based on the specific flavor and ingredients used. Some brands may also offer sugar-free or reduced-calorie versions of Popping Boba that have even fewer calories.

 

While Popping Boba is relatively low in calories, it's important to note that it’s still a sweet treat that should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Additionally, some types of Popping Boba may contain added sugars or artificial ingredients, so it's a good idea to check the nutrition label and ingredient list before consuming them.

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Reference: https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/popping-boba-diy-recipe/

 

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