Whether it’s paired with a favorite milk tea, or a refreshing iced tea, boba has become a staple in pop culture, taking the world by storm. Originating in Taiwan, the spark spread across the world like wildfire causing many new and very popular boba shops to be created to satisfy the demand for it. This popularity is well deserved, as it gives high school students a tasty treat after school and a chance to relax with friends in a calm environment.

Drinking tea was already a daily activity for many Asian cultures, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s when chewy tapioca pearls were added to Taiwanese milk tea that the boba tea we now know and love was created. This all happened at the first ever boba tea house in Taizhong Taiwan, at the Chun Shui Tang Teahouse by Lin Hsiu Hui. 

Now in our modern age, boba has become more and more popular among people of all races, offering a tasty and unique beverage for everyone to enjoy. With a personal choice of milk tea, a fruit tea, or iced tea along with chewy tapioca pearls a variety of textures and flavors are offered, making boba a unique and fun beverage. 

“When I was with my friends, I [tried] it and at first I didn’t really like the chewy texture, but I think I got addicted to that,” Yeseo Lim (11) said.

Boba tea started gaining a big social media appeal in recent years, attracting many young gen Zs and millennials looking for a popular and tasty drink. This caused a chain reaction of boba places to up everywhere, especially in the Chino Hills area. 

“I think it also has something to do with social media. It became a trend and a lot of boba places were popular, and many people just went to those places,” Lim said. 

Getting boba is also a great way to connect with friends in a way that people may not be able to do as much when they are in school. This activity offers a calm, social, and interesting environment when people want to destress with their friends. 

“My friends usually just go back home after school, but sometimes we can go together to get good boba, and that just gives us more opportunity [to hang out],” Cindy Situ (11) said. 

For some, boba can help take the stress out of everyday life, making it easier to get through the day. Boba is also a treat that people wouldn’t usually get on a day-to-day basis, making the moment more special when they do get the drink that they enjoy. 

“I think just drinking boba in general gives me a sense that I finished whatever task that I had, and it’s a reward,” Tracy Zhang (11) said. 

This popular beverage offers a wide variety of options, keeping the act of getting boba a staple in pop culture. Whether it’s because of the taste, the popularity, or the comradery that it brings, the boba boom continues to run strong and won’t end anytime soon.  

“I think people see it as an activity to do together,” Zhang said. “It’s easy. It’s not as expensive as other things and you can still talk with [friends] while you’re [doing it].”