All Our Bubble Tea Toppings

Prefer to watch a video? Take a look at our YouTube video explaining everything about our bubble tea toppings.

When it comes to bubble tea, toppings are half the fun. Some people are all about tapioca pearls, others just want as many jellies and popping balls as possible. Whether you’re setting up a shop, adding bubble tea to your café menu or just trying stuff out at home, it helps to know what’s what.

We test every topping we stock as a team before bringing it in, so if it’s on this list, it’s something we stand behind.

1. Tapioca Pearls

The original topping. Black tapioca pearls are what most people think of when they picture bubble tea. Chewy, sweet, and still one of the best options for milk teas.

Types we stock:

  • Regular black pearls
  • Quick cook brown sugar pearls
  • White pearls
  • Instant tapioca pearls

Best with: Milk teas (classic, brown sugar, matcha etc.)
Can work in: Fruit teas, but depends on the flavour. Some people like a chewy addition to their fruit tea, some might find it a bit too savoury in a sweet drink. All depends on personal taste.

2. Coconut Jelly

Fruity and comes in loads of flavours. These are cut into strips and add colour and texture to any fruit tea. We even stock some star-shaped ones.

Best with: Fruit teas and sodas
Less chosen in: Milk teas, the syrup can taste odd with dairy

3. Herbal Jelly

Soft, slightly bitter and cooling. It's made with herbal jelly powder and is a proper Taiwanese classic. It tastes great if your drinks aren’t too sweet.

Good in:

  • Milk teas (especially roasted or unsweetened ones)
  • Fruit teas, if you want something less sugary

4. Popping Balls

Popping balls are filled with flavoured syrup that bursts when you bite in them. They are super sweet and colourful and are especially popular among kids and people that are new to bubble tea.

Best with: Fruit teas
Less chosen in: Milk teas as the taste could clash with dairy and can taste a bit odd

5. Caramel Pudding

Smooth, soft, and slightly sweet. This tastes great if you want to offer a creamy, custard-style topping. We stock a powder that makes this easy to whip up fresh in-store in just 2 hours (2min preparation, the rest is cooling down in the fridge).

Best in milk and fruit teas.

6. Sweet Red Bean and Diced Taro

These two bring a more traditional dessert feel to your drinks.

Red bean

Red beans are soft, sweet and earthy. Works well with matcha.

Diced taro

Taro tastes starchy, subtle and comforting. Taro is a big staple in Taiwanese desserts like shaved ice and hot taro soup.

Both are

Best in: Milk teas (especially classic, matcha, roasted, taro)
Less chosen for: Fruit teas as they might be too heavy and savoury for the sweet fruity flavour

7. Q Mochi

These are bouncy and chewy, Q mochi is a topping that sits somewhere between pearls and jelly. Great for customers who want something fun but not overly sweet.

Q mochi can be added to both fruit and milk teas. They are bit lighter and less savoury than tapioca pearls.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is really similar to coconut jellies, but has a different shape and is a bit lighter than coconut jelly.

Bonus: aloe has that functional edge. Some people like it for digestion or skin hydration, so it gives your menu a slight wellness angle.

Best in: Fruit teas, iced teas, green tea blends. It can also work in milk teas, but depends on personal preference.

9. Cream Foam

Cream foam is a modern and luxurious bubble tea topping. It adds a rich, thick layer on top of drinks without overwhelming the flavour underneath.

We stock five types of cream foam powder, all easy to mix and whip fresh.

Perfect in any type of bubble tea.

10. Fruit Jams

Real fruit pieces or thick purées can be layered into drinks or used in blended options. They’re not technically a “topping” but they do influence texture and flavour significantly.

Best suited to fruit teas, smoothies and layered drinks. It adds a premium feel when visible in clear cups.

Topping Pairing Summary

Topping Best In
Red bean, taro Milk teas
Coconut jellies, popping balls, aloe vera syrup, fruit jams Fruit teas
Tapioca, Q mochi, herbal jelly, caramel pudding, cream foam Both

The Right Toppings for Your Shop

Choosing toppings isn't just about what tastes good. It's also about how your drinks are served, what kind of customers you attract, and the experience you're trying to create. Here's how you can think about toppings depending on your shop concept.

Classic Bubble Tea Shop

In a more traditional bubble tea shop, customers usually want the familiar favourites. Tapioca pearls, coconut jelly, popping balls, and herbal jelly are staples that people recognise and enjoy. A brown sugar milk tea with pearls or cream foam is a reliable go-to. This type of shop works best when you offer customisation, so customers can pick and mix their own textures.

Fruit Tea-Focused Concept

If your drinks lean more towards fruit teas, toppings should stay light, juicy and refreshing. Aloe vera, fruit jellies, and popping balls are ideal here. They complement bright, fruity bases without making the drink too heavy. Star-shaped jellies look especially good in clear cups and work well with flavours like lychee, grapefruit or yuzu. Think visually and let the drinks feel clean and crisp.

Fast-Service Kiosk

Speed and simplicity matter most in fast-service setups. You want toppings that are quick to scoop and hold their texture throughout the day. Instant tapioca pearls, Q mochi, sweet diced taro, sweet red bean, popping balls, coconut jellies, aloe vera syrup and fruit jams are the most practical choices as the come ready-to-go. Drinks need to look good and taste fresh, even if they’ve been sitting for a few minutes after being made. This is also a good setup for fun toppings that catch the eye.

Artisan or Premium Shop

If you’re building a more premium brand, toppings can help express your identity. Ingredients like Q mochi, red bean, diced taro and herbal jelly offer more texture and a sense of craftsmanship. These suit drinks that focus on technique, origin, or seasonal ingredients. Different cream foam flavours also give you room to be creative. Limited edition toppings, tasting sets, or small-batch specials work well here.

Wellness or Functional Drinks

For wellness-driven menus, toppings can help reinforce health claims or add nutritional value. Aloe vera and herbal jelly all pair well with lighter bases like green tea or jasmine. They don’t overpower the drink and add interesting textures while staying low in sugar. If you're offering drinks that focus on hydration, digestion or skin health, these toppings support that story.

Summary

We import everything directly from Taiwan. We test verything ourselves from the toppings to the powders, cups, and machines before adding it to our range. If we stock it, it’s because we think it’s worth using.

And we’re always trying new things. If there’s something you’ve heard of and want to try, or a flavour you think would fit your shop, just reach out.

Got questions about ingredients, suppliers, or setup? Let’s talk.