Quick Answer
The most common English name is bubble tea. In Asian American communities in the US, people often say boba; according to English Wikipedia, the name comes from the Taiwanese term for large pearls, which in turn comes from a nickname of Hong Kong actress Amy Yip, and this usage is common in the US but less so in Asia. Pearl milk tea and tapioca milk tea simply describe “pearls + milk tea” and are the least likely to confuse customers. For a menu abroad, use bubble tea as the category name and descriptive item names such as brown sugar boba milk or jasmine green tea.
English Names for Bubble Tea
| Name | Where it’s used |
|---|---|
| Bubble tea | The most widely used category name |
| Boba / boba tea | Common in the US, especially in Asian American communities and on the West Coast |
| Pearl milk tea | Describes the drink directly (the Taiwanese name, zhenzhu naicha) |
| Tapioca milk tea | Emphasizes the tapioca pearls |
| Taiwanese bubble tea | Emphasizes Taiwanese origin; common in marketing |
Bubble Tea Topping and Drink Glossary
| Taiwanese name (pinyin) | English |
|---|---|
| zhenzhu, fenyuan | tapioca pearls, boba |
| boba (large pearls) | large tapioca pearls |
| baobao zhu | popping boba |
| hantian jingqiu | agar boba, crystal boba |
| yeguo | coconut jelly, nata de coco |
| xiancao | grass jelly |
| aiyu | aiyu jelly |
| yuyuan | taro balls |
| naigai | cheese foam, milk foam |
| heitang zhenzhu xianna | brown sugar boba milk |
| donggua cha | winter melon tea |
| yangzhi ganlu | mango pomelo sago |
| taishi naicha | Thai milk tea |
For each topping, see Popping Boba vs Agar Boba vs Tapioca Pearls.
Sweetness and Ice Levels
| Taiwanese order (pinyin) | English |
|---|---|
| quan tang, ban tang, wei tang, wu tang | regular sugar, half sugar, light sugar, no sugar |
| zhengchang bing, shao bing, qu bing | regular ice, less ice, no ice |
| re yin | hot |
Tang Sugar’s fruit syrup dosage chart also labels sweetness as Light, Half, Regular and Extra; see our fruit syrup dosage chart.
Menu Naming Tips for Shops Abroad
- Use “bubble tea” for the category so first-time customers understand.
- Describe the ingredients in item names, e.g. Jasmine Green Tea with Passion Fruit.
- Keep a Taiwanese touch, e.g. Taiwanese Oolong Milk Tea.
- Label allergens such as dairy according to local rules.
Tang Sugar’s English Product Information
Tang Sugar’s product list gives both Chinese and English product names, such as TAPIOCA (L-BOBA), MANGO POPPING BOBA and PLAIN AGAR BOBA, so overseas buyers can match items easily. For English specification sheets, please contact us.
Products in this article
All 8 Tapioca Pearls →
FAQ
Is bubble tea the same as boba?
Yes, in everyday use. Bubble tea is the most widely used name; in the US, people often call the drink boba, and the words pearl milk tea and tapioca milk tea also refer to it.
Why is it called boba?
According to English Wikipedia, boba comes from the Taiwanese term for large pearls, which comes from a nickname of Hong Kong actress Amy Yip.
Why is it called bubble tea?
The “bubbles” originally referred to the foam created by shaking tea with ice in Taiwan’s foam tea, the drink’s predecessor; today many people associate the bubbles with the pearls. See The History of Taiwanese Foam Tea.
How do you say half sugar, less ice when ordering?
Say “half sugar, less ice”. Most shops offer regular, half, light and no sugar, and regular, less or no ice.
Further Reading
- Who Invented Bubble Tea?
- Bubble Tea in the United States
- Types of Tapioca Pearls
- Is Bubble Tea Vegan?
- Instant Tapioca Pearls and DIY Bubble Tea Kits
- Request samples
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bubble tea
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
