Bubble tea is a very popular and aesthetically pleasing drink. With such a range of flavours available that come in a variety of colours, it’s not surprising that children might be interested in trying bubble tea if they see it while out and about.
But can kids drink bubble tea? That answer is yes but it also depends on a number of factors regarding what you want your child to consume as part of a healthy diet.
Have a look at the reasons you’ll need to know before deciding if your child can drink bubble tea:
- Bubble Tea Contains Caffeine
- Do They Want to Drink Milk Tea
- How Sweet Do They Want Their Bubble Tea
- Can You Make Their Bubble Tea Healthy
1. Bubble Tea Contains Caffeine
Depending on the type of tea you get in your Bubble Tea drink, it can contain varying amounts of caffeine.
There are 4 main types of tea you can have in your bubble tea: Black, Green, Jasmine and Fruit tea. Black tea contains around 40-50mg of caffeine in one cup, which is the most out of the teas listed. Green and Jasmine cups of tea contain 20-30mg of caffeine. And lastly, fruit tea does contain caffeine but as the tea is mixed with fruit syrup, it is significantly less than raw teas.
To give some perspective, a cup of coffee contains 80-110mg of caffeine. If you’re uncomfortable with your child consuming any caffeine then you shouldn’t give your child bubble tea. However, as highlighted, bubble tea does contain a small amount of caffeine which could be acceptable and safe for your child to drink.
You might find some reasoning in the fact that a 44g bar of chocolate contains 8.8 grams of caffeine.
2. Do They Want to Drink Milk Tea?
It does sound obvious but the additional ingredient in Milk Tea is in fact, milk! The other ingredients in it are tea, sweetener and toppings.
The milk that is put in the Milk tea can vary. Traditionally, Milk tea is made with cow's milk. So long it is pasteurised it poses no risk. Unpasteurized milk has not been processed so that any bacteria within it has been killed off. Therefore, we would not recommend giving your child unpasteurised milk in their bubble tea. Pregnant women can also not drink unpasteurized milk.
There are milk substitutes available if you’re raising your child on a specific diet or they have dietary restrictions. As a general rule, milk alternatives such as soya, oat and almond milk in their natural form contain less calories than normal milk, which is something to bear in mind when deciding if your kid can drink Bubble Tea.
3. How Sweet Do They Want Their Bubble Tea
We’ve discussed tea and caffeine in the previous paragraphs. You may be worried about the calories that tea contains but it actually contains very few calories.
The sweetener and the level of sweetness could have a large impact on if you decide to give your kid bubble tea. Bubble tea stores use a variety of ingredients to make your tea sweeter, such as white sugar, brown sugar, sugar syrup, fructose and honey. Most bubble tea stores (including us!) allow you to choose your level of sweetness. Therefore, you’re able to control the level of sugar that your child’s bubble tea drink contains.
The less sweet their bubble tea is, the less sugar will be in it and therefore it will have lower calories and will be relatively healthier. Convincing your kid on their chosen sweetness level is up to you.
4. Can You Make Their Bubble Tea Healthy
The toppings that you decide have the largest impact on if a bubble tea drink is healthy and therefore if you would like to give it to your kid. Tapioca pearls and popping bubbles will add to the sugar present in your drink. For every 15 g of pearls added to your drink, it adds an extra 280 calories.
Alternatively to Tapioca pearls, a lower calorie alternative to them is grass jelly. It is not as dense in calories. A 15 g portion would contain around 30 calories, which is significantly less than the same amount of Tapioca pearls.
While this is a hard bargain to drive with a child, the lowest calorie topping is no toppings at all! However, I can’t imagine there are many children that wouldn’t mind not having any toppings in their bubble tea. Especially if they see everyone else at the store having some.
Overall, it is your judgement on what you should give your child to drink. We’re just here to inform you of the facts.
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We are Bubblebase: Wales’ first Bubble Tea Bar. We believe in using the best quality ingredients to consistently serve our customers with a delicious range of drinks that have not only been created with utmost care, but also with the sharpest appearance.
Order online with our exclusive Bubblebase app and earn 9 stamps free when you register! Or place your order through our delivery partners and get Bubblebase delivered right to your doorstep.
Written by Zac Marley for Bubblebase.
FAQs
Yes. Bubble tea contains many natural ingredients, and the caffeine levels in tea-based drinks aren't high. You should pay attention to the sugar content, though, and adjust your kids' drinks to contain a bit less of it.
Is bubble tea ok for children? ›
Bubble tea is safe for consumption if enjoyed in moderation, so an occasional cup is fine for kids and teens. To make it even healthier, parents can make bubble tea at home (and control what goes in it) with decaffeinated tea, homemade or store-bought tapioca pearls, their choice of milk, and their choice of sweetener.
Can 10 year olds drink tea? ›
Since caffeine is a diuretic, which is a chemical that makes your body lose water faster by peeing more often, it can lead to dehydration. There is no accepted safe amount of caffeine for kids under the age of 12.
Is bubble tea OK to drink? ›
Boba tea is generally safe to drink, but you'll want to enjoy it in moderation. The beverage is usually high in sugar and calories and contains an additive that might lead to constipation. Drinking too much boba tea may increase your risk of diabetes and obesity.
What age group drinks bubble tea? ›
Bubble tea consumption transcends many demographics, but one group stands out as avid enthusiasts—the 20-29-year-olds. According to a CLSA survey, cited by The Food Institute, an incredible 94% of individuals within this age bracket purchased boba tea in the last three months.
Is boba OK for 12 year olds? ›
So, can kids drink boba? Yes. Bubble tea contains many natural ingredients, and the caffeine levels in tea-based drinks aren't high. You should pay attention to the sugar content, though, and adjust your kids' drinks to contain a bit less of it.
Is bubble ok for 10 year olds? ›
Bubble Skincare, a brand known for its gentle and effective skincare products, is generally considered suitable for 10-year-olds.
Is tea ok for a 3 year old? ›
Although teas are ruled safe for toddlers, your child's allergies are another factor that would make the tea unsafe for them. Most toddlers may be allergic to the ingredients and herbs included in tea, which will result in difficulty breathing and swelling of their face, mouth, and other body parts.
Is it OK for 2 year old to drink tea? ›
But for a child under 2, neither caffeinated nor herbal tea is recommended. For its part, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages consumption of caffeinated tea (and almost all other caffeinated beverages) before age 12 due to its effects on blood pressure and heart rates.
Is it OK to drink 5 year old tea? ›
Drinking expired tea is not necessarily harmful, but it may not taste as good or have the same health benefits as fresh tea.
Zhang Zetian (章泽天; born 18 November 1993) is a Chinese businesswoman and investor who is the chief fashion adviser of the luxury business of JD.com. She gained initial fame from the popularity of a photograph of her holding milk tea, and was nicknamed "Sister Milk Tea" (奶茶妹妹; nǎichá mèimei).
Can you eat boba balls? ›
Bubble tea is served in see-through cups with a fat straw so that - as you sip - the tapioca balls (also known as “pearls” or “boba”) come shooting up and can be chewed as you swallow down the delicious liquid.
Is bubble tea healthier than co*ke? ›
Two cups of milk bubble tea with pearls are about a third of the average recommended intake of 1,800-2,000 calories for healthy individuals. A 500ml cup of brown sugar boba milk is also believed to contain as much as 92g of sugar, about three times more than the amount of sugar in a 320ml can of Coca-Cola.
Can a 1 year old have boba? ›
If you're uncomfortable with your child consuming any caffeine then you shouldn't give your child bubble tea. However, as highlighted, bubble tea does contain a small amount of caffeine which could be acceptable and safe for your child to drink.
Can kids have popping boba? ›
Boba for teenagers
A cup of boba tea as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle will do no long-term harm. You may have come across internet horror stories about bubble tea. But enjoying bubble tea in moderation and as a tasty treat is absolutely fine for older kids!
Who invented boba? ›
Bubble tea as we know it today came into existence almost four decades ago. Two tea houses — Chun Shui Tang in the central city of Taichung and Hanlin Tea Room in the southern city of Tainan — both claim to have invented the drink in 1986.
What kind of boba is good for kids? ›
Strawberry boba is certainly eye-catching with its bright pink color, making it a social media-worthy choice. The first thing boba drinkers note about this flavor is just how impossibly sweet it is. This drink is a huge hit for kids or those with a big sweet tooth.
How much caffeine is in bubble tea? ›
TLDR: Boba tea has an average of 50 mg of caffeine per cup. Typically you can expect 20 to 80 mg per drink, depending on the type of tea. Caffeine-free options like Taro are also available. Are you a boba tea addict?
Are tapioca pearls safe for babies? ›
Cooked cassava is not a common choking hazard, though tapioca pearls in boba drinks, puddings, and desserts can be. Tapioca pearls are not recommended for babies in general as they are highly processed and typically served with plenty of added sugars.
Can kids drink bubly? ›
It's best to wait until your baby is at least 2 years old to give them sparkling water or mineral water. Even then, plain water or milk are the best drinks for toddlers.
