So what is this boba I speak of? Basically, balls of tapioca that you can chew at the end of your drink or suck up through a giant straw. Some of you have probably had your share of boba drinks, especially if you hang out on Spring Mountain Rd. Love it or hate it, it's a popular Asian treat, and a fun alternative to your standard boring Starbucks order.
Boba is a variant of what Americans call bubble tea, a drink that became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s. It is also referred to as pearl milk tea because the boba resembles pearls. Two tea shops in Taiwan both claim that they originated the recipe. Chun Shui Tang teahouse made a concoction of milk tea, fruit, tapioca balls, and Hanlin Teahouse made milk tea with smaller white tapioca balls. The drinks weren't popular at first, but when they were featured on an unidentified TV show, people became interested. I can't find the name of the show, so please share if you find out!
Today, boba shops are all over the place, and they offer way too many varieties of boba drinks to name. You can get tea, fruit-flavored soft drinks, smoothies, slushes, and more with a big dose of boba at the bottom.
If you're interested in trying out a few shops, I have listed some below. Drinks cost around $4 at a shop, but you can make them for much less money at home. Visit an Asian market to find raw boba (you have to boil it), tea, and a wide assortment of flavors and ingredients you can add! Find out how to cook your boba, and get a free drink by registering for the Boba Cafe Workshop!
Boba Tea Lounge
8846 S Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 942-6064
CooCoo's Gourmet Coffee Cafe (Not specifically a boba shop, but apparently they serve it, and it's in Henderson)
19 W. Pacific Ave.
Henderson, NV 89015
568-5069
Volcano Tea House
4215 Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
873-0301
No 1 Boba Tea
4255 Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
364-4724
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