Quick Answer
According to English Wikipedia, Taiwanese immigrants brought bubble tea to the US in the 1990s, first concentrated in Los Angeles County, California; in Asian American communities, bubble tea is often called boba. On market size, Grand View Research estimates North America held about 35.6% of the global bubble tea market in 2025, the largest regional market. On the ingredient side, Liberty Times, citing Bloomberg in 2023, reported that US imports of Taiwanese tapioca pearls tripled in two years to about US$50 million, and Taiwan accounted for 69% of US tapioca pearl import value, making tapioca pearls one of Taiwan’s main food exports to the US.
How Bubble Tea Grew in the US
| Period | Development (from English Wikipedia) |
|---|---|
| 1990s | Taiwanese immigrants bring bubble tea to the US, first in Los Angeles County, California |
| Later | A “boba” culture forms in Asian American communities |
| 2013 | Brothers Andrew and David Fung describe “boba life” in their music video “Bobalife” |
US Market Data
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| North America’s share of the global bubble tea market | About 35.6% (2025) | Grand View Research |
| US imports of Taiwanese tapioca pearls | Tripled in two years to about US$50 million | Liberty Times, 2023-04-01, citing Bloomberg |
| Taiwan’s share of US tapioca pearl import value | 69% | Same as above |
For the global picture, see Bubble Tea Market Trends.
What to Know About Exporting Taiwanese Ingredients to the US
- FDA rules: facility registration and prior notice for each shipment, plus FSVP carried out by the US importer; see Exporting Food to the US.
- Declaration of origin: since May 7, 2025, Taiwan-made goods exported to the US must include a declaration of origin for goods to the US.
- Labeling: ingredients, nutrition and allergens must meet US rules.
- Shipping: bulk ingredients usually travel by sea in full or shared containers; see FCL vs LCL.
How US Shops Source Taiwanese Ingredients
US shops can buy directly from Taiwanese exporters or through US importers and distributors. For direct sourcing, see How to Import Bubble Tea Ingredients from Taiwan; for trade terms and payment, see FOB vs CIF vs CFR.
How Tang Sugar Can Help
Tang Sugar is a Taiwanese bubble tea ingredient export trader serving the Americas among other regions. We work with FDA registration, filings and other procedures as the target market requires, and our partner factories hold ISO 22000 (verified by SGS), FSSC 22000 and HACCP certifications. US buyers are welcome to contact us or request samples.
Products in this article
All 8 Tapioca Pearls →
FAQ
When did bubble tea come to the US?
According to English Wikipedia, Taiwanese immigrants brought it to the US in the 1990s, first in Los Angeles County, California.
Why is bubble tea called boba in the US?
According to English Wikipedia, “boba” comes from the Chinese word for large tapioca pearls, and Asian American communities commonly use it to mean bubble tea.
How many US tapioca pearls come from Taiwan?
Liberty Times, citing Bloomberg in 2023, reported that Taiwan accounted for 69% of US tapioca pearl import value.
What do you need to export Taiwanese bubble tea ingredients to the US?
FDA facility registration and prior notice, support for the importer’s FSVP, compliance with US labeling rules, and a declaration of origin for goods to the US.
Further Reading
- Exporting Food to the US
- Bubble Tea in Japan
- Taiwan Tapioca Pearl Exports
- Become a Bubble Tea Ingredient Distributor
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bubble tea
- Liberty Times (2023-04-01): Taiwanese bubble tea wins over Americans; tapioca pearl exports triple (in Chinese)
- Grand View Research: Bubble Tea Market Size Report
- Central News Agency (2025-04-25): Ministry of Economic Affairs: Taiwan-made goods exported to the US need a declaration from May 7 (in Chinese)
