Boba drinks, also known as bubble tea, have gained increasing popularity over the years. They are tasty with their sweetness and sticky tapioca pearls. However, when ordering boba drinks, it is helpful to adhere to some helpful tips that can help you order the healthiest and cheapest options available. This article gives the most important advice on how to customize your boba order.
These are drinks that have tapioca pearls or bubbles mixed in them with tea or milk. As boba drink prices increase, so does the demand for healthier boba. Therefore, learning how to order the perfect cup of boba for your needs is essential. Tips for making the healthy boba drinks orders.
Choose your base wisely
Every boba drink order begins with selecting your base. Here are some of the most common boba bases to consider:
- Black Tea
A typical boba is black tea. Its ingredient is coffee, for a stimulating effect. Healthy antioxidants are found in black tea as well. For the black tea boba drink, you have the option of choosing the level of sweetness and toppings. Generally, it is a healthier alternative for the boba base.
- Green Tea
Green tea has a similarly light yet refreshing flavour as black tea. It contains less caffeine than black teas, yet it provides antioxidants. One of the healthier boba bases you can choose is green tea. For varieties in flavour, try out options such as matcha green tea and jasmine green tea.
- Fruit Tea
To make a tasty boba with a fruity flavour, use fruit tea. It is a mix of real fruit flavour and herbal tea. Peach, mango, passion fruit, or strawberry fruit tea offer so many types of options. However, fruit tea boba has no caffeine and, therefore, is ideal for people who are sensitive. Going with fruit tea boba is an opportunity to get creative with combinations.
- Milk Tea
Milk tea boba uses strongly brewed black tea mixed with milk. This gives it a richer, creamier texture and flavour. However, the higher calories and saturated fat content make milk tea boba a less healthy option. Consider getting milk tea boba half-sweet or less as a more sensible treat.
Choose your customizations
The many possible customizations are what make boba such a fun and versatile drink. Consider choices like the following when ordering:
- Sweetness Level
One of the best ways to make your boba order healthier is to customize the sweetness level. Many boba drinks come pre-sweetened at 50%, 75%, or 100% sugar. Selecting 25% sweetness or less reduces the amount of added sugar. Or opt for no additional sweetener at all to maximize health.
- Boba Pearls
At the core of the boba experience are the spherical tapioca pearls, or boba. You can select the boba flavour separately from your tea base. Options include classic milk tea, chocolate, honey, strawberry, and more. Regular or mini pearls are available based on your texture preference. Skip the pearls altogether for a healthier boba order focused solely on the tea.
- Jellies and Puddings
Beyond just boba, many stores offer jellies and puddings as mix-in options. Flavours like lychee, coffee, mango, and lemon are popular. However, these extra toppings will increase the calorie and sugar content of your drink. Stick to just boba or no toppings for better nutrition.
- Lattes and creams
Some boba shops give you the option to make your drink a latte by adding fresh milk. Condensed or evaporated milk are also commonly used. These turn your boba order into more of a dessert, so save them just for occasional treats.
Make smart size choices
Boba drinks come in sizes ranging from 12 ounces all the way up to 24 ounces or larger. When factoring healthy boba drinks and boba drink prices into your order, size makes a major difference. Here is how to choose the best value:
- Avoid jumbo sizes
Extra-large or jumbo boba options may seem like a good value. But a 24-ounce boba drink can pack up to 300 calories and 75 grams of sugar. Focus your order on the small or medium size, or opt to share a larger size.
- Split Larger Sizes
If you want to try multiple flavours, order a larger size and split it with a friend. Most stores provide extra straws upon request. Dividing one jumbo drink allows you to sample different options while keeping individual portion sizes reasonable.
- Order by the Cup
Some boba shops price drinks by the cup rather than by size. Opting for a 12- or 16-ounce cup is an easy way to limit your portion. This helps cap calories while still keeping the boba drink price low.
- Go half and half
You can diversify your order while controlling sweetness and calories by getting half tea, half fruit tea, or milk. Or do half with toppings and half without. A half-and-half boba lets you incorporate multiple healthy options.
Happy Hour and Loyalty Programs
Taking advantage of the many promotions and rewards programs commonly offered by boba tea shops helps lower the overall boba drink price for budget-conscious bubble tea lovers who still want to frequently satisfy their craving for these delightful beverages without completely breaking the bank.
- Check for discounts
Many boba stores offer daily happy hour specials, like $1 off certain drinks or reduced pricing during certain hours. Check in advance for any temporary deals.
- Sign up for rewards programs
If you frequent a particular boba shop, join their loyalty program. You can earn points with purchases to redeem for free drinks, add-ons, and other perks. This noticeably cuts your boba drink price over time.
Conclusion
With boba drinks continuing to surge in popularity, understanding how to order the healthiest, most cost-effective options is key. By choosing lower-sugar bases, minimizing high-calorie customizations, controlling your portion size, and leveraging promotions, you can satisfy your boba craving while optimizing nutrition and value. Use the tips in this article to make informed choices each time you order boba. Centering your boba drink order around healthier ingredients and smaller sizes makes enjoying these tasty drinks guilt-free.