Milk tea itself is not boba, but rather, it's a type of drink within the larger category of bubble tea, which often includes boba. Here's a breakdown:
Understanding the Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Boba | Also known as "pearls" or "bubbles," boba refers to the tapioca balls that are a common topping in bubble tea. |
| Bubble Tea | A tea-based drink, typically with toppings like boba, added to it. |
| Milk Tea | A tea-based drink that is made with milk. According to the reference, milk tea is a category under bubble tea. |
Milk Tea: A Type of Bubble Tea
As the provided reference states, milk tea is considered a category under bubble tea. This means that while all milk teas can be considered bubble tea (especially if they have toppings like boba), not all bubble teas are milk tea. For instance, you could have a bubble tea that uses fruit juice as its base rather than tea or a black tea bubble tea without milk.
- Example: A classic milk tea with boba is a bubble tea.
- Example: A passion fruit tea with popping boba is a bubble tea but not a milk tea.
Key Differences:
- Milk: Milk tea always contains milk. Bubble tea does not necessarily.
- Toppings: Milk tea may or may not have boba, although it's a common addition. Bubble tea is defined by having toppings, which may or may not be boba.
In summary:
Milk tea is a specific type of bubble tea. If you add boba to milk tea, it becomes a milk tea bubble tea. But, a milk tea without boba is still a milk tea and a bubble tea. Boba refers to the tapioca pearls, which are a common topping.
