Early on when it was coming into the US shops made the distinction, but Americans just sort of conflated the two. Makes it confusing if you want bubble tea with jelly and not pearls.
They’re talking about bubble foam tea. Sure that was a thing but at least in any part of America I’ve been in, boba tea and bubble tea from the start was the tapioca pearl drink.
Some people get this purist notion that things can only ever be one thing and screech if someone uses a term differently.
This has bugged me for twenty years.
“Bubble tea” refers to tea that is mixed in a shaker, creating a small layer of bubbles when it is served.
“Bubble tea with pearls” is the one with tapioca pearls in the bottom. Milk tea is tea made with milk.
@[email protected] the above comment answers your question.
TIL. I’ve literally never seen the first drink you’re describing. (I’m in the USA)
Early on when it was coming into the US shops made the distinction, but Americans just sort of conflated the two. Makes it confusing if you want bubble tea with jelly and not pearls.
They’re talking about bubble foam tea. Sure that was a thing but at least in any part of America I’ve been in, boba tea and bubble tea from the start was the tapioca pearl drink.
Some people get this purist notion that things can only ever be one thing and screech if someone uses a term differently.