Boba backup Shortage of tapioca flour causes hardship for small boba shops to remain stocked Kristen Rummel
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rummekri000@hsestudents.org
apioca pearls, also referred to as boba, have grown in popularity over the last couple of years. The pearls are produced from tapioca starch then boiled to create a spherical shape. The result is a glossy pearl with a chewy texture. The pearls are typically served with infused tea or flavored milk tea and a special straw so the pearls can fit through. Tapioca starch has become especially difficult to purchase due to COVID-19 and the difficulties of shipping goods across seas. Boba originated in Taiwan, growing in popularity in the U.S. in the 1980s. Since then, thousands of shops have opened up specializing in boba products like Kung Fu Tea 8395 116th Street, Suite 121, Fishers is opening soon. Many stores have been having trouble getting the pearls, while others have been out for months like Pho VN Cuisine on 116th street. “Because of the tapioca shortage, many bubble tea places have made boba more expensive,” junior Nalanie Cortez said. “Some places even run out due to the shortage, so it can be difficult to find tapioca pearls when getting boba.” Some specialty stores like Bento Cafe and Tsaocca still carry boba and are still available for purchase. “My favorite boba place would be Tsaocca,” Cortez said. “They have so many favors to choose from that the combinations are endless. You can customize your Iced blueberry yogurt with Konjac boba and Caramel bubble black drinks in your own way makes it tea with brown sugar from Tsaocca. Photo by Kristen Rummel.
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perfect.” Tsaocaa boba tea retails for around $5, and has a variety of flavors. The most common being black tea with milk and brown sugar . Popping boba is also another variety of sweet treats, it is a syrup-filled sphere, encapsulated in a gelatin wrapping. They come in many favors; as whatever can be turned into syrup, can be turned into popping boba. Retailers like Dunkin offered popping boba in the summer in flavors like mango and cherry. Popping boba can be used for many desserts like frozen yogurt and parfaits. “Without a doubt, tapioca pearls are my favorite type over popping boba,” senior Kaelyn Tai said. “The whole purpose of boba is the chew factor, so popping boba feels weird in my mouth and doesn’t even taste that good.” Retailers like Tsaocca offer both types of boba, with flavors like orange, mango, kiwi and grape. They serve more common teas like black, green and ruby tea. All can be customized with different milks, sweetener and a choice of different boba. Kung Fu tea was scheduled to open back in late July, early August but since the lack of employees, product and constructions around the area, opening has been delayed until further notice. “Having a shop open closer to home is so exciting,” senior Meghan Chen said. “Because of their delayed opening, I have been patiently waiting for the opening.”
October 2021
