Popping Boba 

Unlike tapioca pearls, popping boba are made of a gelatin-like substance made from algae, similar to agar. This creates a thin, spherical membrane that’s hollow inside and filled with a sweet syrup, often including fruit juice. Common flavors include strawberry, mango, lychee, kiwi, and passionfruit.

The thin jelly membrane allows the boba to pop when pressed or punctured — hence the name — releasing a burst of sweet juice. “An explosion of flavor” might be the most cliche way to describe food, but popping boba is, quite literally, that.

You’ll find popping boba most often as an optional topping in bubble tea alongside other favorites like lychee jelly, grass jelly, or aloe. It’s also a popular topping for frozen yogurt, where the boba’s sweetness pairs especially well with yogurt flavors that aren’t too rich or sweet. 

At home, you can get creative by adding popping boba to cocktails or mocktails, ice cream (especially sherbets and sorbets!), and other drinks or desserts. If that sounds up your alley, you can find popping boba at Uwajimaya in our grocery department.