What are Bubble Tea Toppings?

Toppings are add-ons that either sit on the bottom of the cup, or on top of a layer of cream foam. They can be chewy, jelly-like, sweet or starchy. Their purpose is to be enjoyed together with drinking. As most toppings are larger than the standard straw, bubble tea requires thick straws that allow the toppings to be drunk with the drinks.

We're breaking down all our different types of toppings below.

Tapioca Pearls

The classic and first topping of bubble tea. These are the classic “boba” or “pearls“, those chewy and soft balls made from tapioca starch. Once cooked, they become sweet and gummy, giving texture that's fun to chew.

Taipec offers different types of tapioca balls:

• regular pearls
• brown sugar pearls
• white pearls
• quick-cook pearls

Regular, brown, and white pearls are cooked for 40 minutes. Watch the first video below to learn how to cook them step by step. Quick-cook brown sugar pearls are ready in 10 minutes. Watch the second video below to follow along step by step.

Popping Balls

Popping balls (popping boba), are thin gel spheres filled with fruit juice. When bitten, they “pop” in your mouth, releasing their flavour. As they are fruity, juicy, and sweet, they're usually added to fruit teas.

We have many different flavours imported from Taiwan and produced by ourselves in the UK. Have a browse through all of them.

Jellies

Jellies are firm yet slightly wobbly strips made from coconut water or agar. We offer both strips and star-shaped jellies. Just like popping balls, jellies are fruity, juicy and sweet, so they are usually added to fruit teas.

We have many different flavours. Have a browse through all of them.

Jams

Jams aren't per se a bubble tea ingredient on their own, but they can act as one.

As a bubble tea ingredient, they add flavour, sweetness and colour to bubble teas. You either mix them in hot tea, or you layer them at the bottom of the cup to give a concentrated flavour-bomb. They can also be slushed to create a fruity, smooth consistency.

So, unlike pearls or jellies, jams are not chewable toppings but a way to adjust the overall flavour and visual appeal of the drink.

Checkout our different flavours.

Other Toppings

This subcategory includes:

• sweet diced taro,
• sweet boiled red bean,
• aloe vera syrup and
• Q-mochi.

These are more traditional bubble tea toppings that are popular in Asia. They create those traditional flavoured drinks like red bean matcha.

Sweet diced taro and sweet boiled red bean are best in milk teas or dessert-style bubble teas, where their soft, sweet texture complements milky flavours. Aloe vera syrup works well in fruit teas or herbal teas, adding a light, juicy bite and refreshing taste. Q-mochi can be used in any type of bubble tea, providing a chewy, bouncy texture.

Why Choose Taipec for Bubble Tea Toppings?

With more than 17 years of experience supplying bubble tea businesses, Taipec understands what matters behind the counter. We work with trusted producers to ensure every topping we stock is consistent, safe and made for commercial use. Before we sell anything, we test the new products ourselves. We all stand behind what we sell.
We are not just a supplier. We are your partner in creating drinks that look good, taste great and bring people back.