Does bubble tea have caffeine?
Not everyone may not realise that there is caffeine in bubble tea. As the leading supplier and distributor of bubble tea and Taiwanese groceries, we understand the importance of knowing what goes into your bubble tea. In this blog post, we will explore the essential components of bubble tea and dive into the caffeine content of this drink.
The Basic Components of Bubble Tea
1. Tea Base: The tea base serves as the foundation of bubble tea. It can be prepared using a variety of teas, such as black tea, green tea, or oolong tea. The type of tea used imparts a unique flavour and aroma.
2. Tapioca Pearls (Boba): These chewy, black tapioca pearls are what give bubble tea its signature texture. They are made from cassava root starch and provide an enjoyable addition to the liquid tea.
3.Creamer: This is used instead of milk to give the creaminess and taste of milk.
4. Fructose: Bubble tea can be sweetened using fructose or its substitute of cane sugar. The amount of sweetness you customise is the amount of fructose that is altered.
5. Flavoured powders: These are used to make flavoured milk tea such as the taro, mango, strawberry and does not contain caffeine.
6.Concentrated Fruit Syrup: These are used in fruit teas to give them more flavouring for their given flavour or to add a different flavour to offer a two flavoured drink for example strawberry green tea or passion fruit honey.
The Source of Caffeine in Bubble Tea
Caffeine is a stimulating component that many people enjoy in their beverages. But where does the caffeine in bubble tea come from? The primary sources of caffeine in bubble tea are the tea base and, to a lesser extent, any additional caffeine-containing ingredients.
The choice of tea as the base for your bubble tea has a significant impact on its caffeine content. Here is a breakdown based on different types of tea:
– Black Tea: This is the most commonly used tea and has the greatest caffeine content among other tea types.
– Green Tea: If you opt for green tea, you will enjoy a milder caffeine boost. It has lower caffeine levels than black tea, making it a great choice for those seeking a balanced flavour and moderate energy lift. This is typically used as the tea base for fruit teas.
– Oolong Tea: The caffeine content falls in between black and green tea. It offers a unique flavour profile and a moderate caffeine dose, making it a popular choice among bubble tea enthusiasts.
-Additional Caffeine Sources: Some bubble tea recipes may include caffeine from other ingredients, such as coffee, cocoa, or coffee jelly topping.
Comparing Caffeine Levels in Bubble Tea to Other Beverages
The average caffeine content for one cup of tea used in bubble tea is around 20-30 mg.
The recommended caffeine intake is 400 mg/day (for a 65 kg person) and children should not consume more than 100 mg, depending on their age. To put this into perspective, let's compare it to some other popular caffeinated beverages using a standard of 500ml a cup which is a standard sized cup of bubble tea.
1. Coffee: A typical cup of coffee can contain from 150 to 200 mg of caffeine, depending on the brew and serving size. Decaf coffee still contains caffeine but at a smaller amount of 5 to 30 mg.
2. Energy Drinks: These are known for their caffeine-packed content to give you a quick burst of energy and thus, contain around 160 mg per drink.
3. Soda: Soda is relatively low in caffeine, with most carbonated beverages containing around 40 to 70 mg of caffeine. However, certain sodas such as most fruit sodas and root beer do not contain any caffeine.
Bubble tea's caffeine content largely depends on the type of tea used and any additional caffeine sources. It offers a slight caffeine boost, making it a popular choice amongst young people and those who enjoy the flavour of tea but prefer a more gentle boost compared to coffee or energy drinks.
Non-Caffeinated and Low Caffeine Bubble Tea Options
If you are looking to explore non-caffeinated bubble tea, flavoured milk tea is the way to go as it contains the flavoured powder and does not have the tea base with the caffeine. If you want a mildly caffeinated drink, you should go for the fruit teas with the green tea base.
To ensure you're fully aware of the caffeine content in your drink, don't hesitate to inquire about it before placing your order, giving you the confidence to savour your bubble tea with full knowledge of what you are consuming.