A Formula Table for Popular Bubble Tea Menu Items
Bubble tea has taken the world by storm, and its menu has evolved from the classic original to countless creative new varieties. Below is a sorted table of formulas covering mainstream categories, ingredients, and key preparation techniques.
I. Classic Foundation Series
These are the building blocks of bubble tea, offered by almost every shop.
1. 【Classic Pearl Milk Tea】
• Core Formula:
◦ Tea Base: Assam Black Tea / Ceylon Black Tea
◦ Milk: Whole Milk / Non-Dairy Creamer (Powder)
◦ Sweetener: Fructose Syrup / Flavored Syrup
◦ Star Ingredient: Black Boba Pearls (large) / Tapioca Pearls (small)
• Key Preparation Points: The tea must be hot-brewed then rapidly cooled to preserve aroma and avoid bitterness. The pearls should be soaked in brown sugar syrup to enhance their flavor.
2. 【Milk Green Tea】
• Core Formula:
◦ Tea Base: Jasmine Green Tea / Green Tea
◦ Milk: Whole Milk / Non-Dairy Creamer
◦ Sweetener: Fructose Syrup / Cane Sugar Syrup
◦ Toppings: Optional pearls, coconut jelly, or grass jelly.
• Key Preparation Points: The fragrant aroma of jasmine tea blends perfectly with the milk, creating a fresher, lighter taste than classic milk tea.
3. 【Oolong Milk Tea】
• Core Formula:
◦ Tea Base: Roasted Oolong Tea (e.g., Golden Oolong, Charcoal-Roasted Oolong)
◦ Milk: Whole Milk / Non-Dairy Creamer
◦ Sweetener: Fructose Syrup / Flavored Syrup
• Key Preparation Points: The distinctive roasted aroma and robust flavor of oolong tea give this milk tea a richer complexity and more pronounced tea flavor.
II. Topping "Everything" Series
Based on the classics, this series creates rich textures and flavors by adding various toppings.
1. 【Boba Milk Green Tea】
• Formula: Milk Green Tea + Large Black Boba Pearls. The chewy Q-texture of the boba is a perfect match for the fresh, fragrant jasmine tea.
2. 【Pearl Red Bean Milk Tea】
• Formula: Classic Milk Tea + Pearls + Sweetened Red Beans. The soft, sweet red beans add a filling quality and layer of flavor.
3. 【Coconut Jelly Milk Tea】
• Formula: Classic Milk Tea + Coconut Jelly. The crisp, refreshing texture of coconut jelly is ideal for customers who enjoy chewiness but don't want pearls.
4. 【Grass Jelly Milk Tea】
• Formula: Classic Milk Tea + Grass Jelly. The smooth, cool grass jelly has a mild herbal aroma, making it a popular choice for beating the summer heat.
5. 【Pudding Milk Tea】
• Formula: Classic Milk Tea + Egg Pudding. The silky pudding dissolving into the milk tea creates a rich, smooth口感 (mouthfeel), and is widely loved.
III. Creative Flavor Series
The most popular innovative category in recent years, often focusing on creative tea bases, cheese foam, and toppings.
1. 【Brown Sugar Boba Fresh Milk / "Dirty" Boba Tea】
• Core Formula:
◦ Base: Fresh Milk (no tea)
◦ Core: A thick brown sugar syrup used for the "dripping" effect on the cup walls + warm boba pearls soaked in brown sugar syrup.
◦ Sweetness: Sweetness comes solely from the brown sugar; usually non-adjustable.
• Key Preparation Points: The "dirty" look comes from the syrup on the cup walls. It must be shaken before drinking. It has a rich, caramelized flavor.
2. 【Cheese Foam Tea】
• Core Formula:
◦ Bottom Layer: Plain Tea (e.g., Four Seasons Spring Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea)
◦ Top Layer: Cheese Foam (made from whipped cream cheese, heavy cream, milk, and salt)
• Key Preparation Points: There's a specific way to drink it: first sip the salty, creamy foam, then drink the pure tea through the straw, and finally shake it all together to mix, experiencing three different flavors.
3. 【Fruit Tea (Bubble Tea Shop Version)】
• Core Formula:
◦ Tea Base: Green Tea / Four Seasons Spring Tea / Oolong Tea
◦ Fruit: Passion fruit, lemon, orange, watermelon, strawberry, etc. (fresh fruit or fruit syrup)
◦ Sweetener: Fructose Syrup
◦ Toppings: Often includes coconut jelly, pearls, or rainbow jelly for added texture.
• Key Preparation Points: Emphasizes the freshness of fruit and the refreshment of tea; it's the absolute star of summer.
4. 【Oat Milk Tea】
• Core Formula:
◦ Base: Classic Milk Tea
◦ Topping: Oats (cooked, with a chewy, Q-texture)
• Key Preparation Points: The grain aroma and health-conscious concept of oats have made this milk tea a top choice for many health-aware consumers.
Summary Table
Category Name Core Tea Base / Foundation Main Toppings Flavor Profile
Classic Pearl Milk Tea Black Tea Tapioca Pearls Robust tea aroma, chewy pearls
Milk Green Tea Jasmine/Green Tea (Optional Pearls/Jelly) Refreshing, light, floral
Oolong Milk Tea Roasted Oolong Tea (Optional Pearls) Strong tea flavor, roasted aroma
Brown Sugar Boba Milk Fresh Milk Brown Sugar Boba Rich caramelized flavor, thick texture
Cheese Foam Tea Plain Tea Cheese Foam Salty-sweet, complex layers
Fruit Tea Plain Tea Assorted Fruits Sweet & tangy, refreshing, vitamin-rich
Oat Milk Tea Black/Green Tea Oats Healthy, filling, grain aroma
Precise Ingredient Ratios (For a 500ml Cup)
1. Classic Pearl Milk Tea
• Cooked Brown Sugar Boba: 100g
• Brown Sugar Syrup (for pearls): 30ml
• Tea Brew: 200ml (e.g., 5g tea leaves to 200ml water)
• Milk Base: 150ml (e.g., 45g Non-Dairy Creamer + 150ml hot water or 150ml fresh milk)
• Simple Syrup: 20-30ml (adjust to taste)
• Ice: To fill the 500ml line
2. Brown Sugar Boba Fresh Milk ("Dirty" Tea)
• Brown Sugar Syrup (for lining cup): 20-30ml
• Warm Brown Sugar Boba: 100g
• Chilled Fresh Milk: 450ml
• Ice: Usually little to none is used.
3. Cheese Foam Green Tea
• Bottom Tea Layer:
◦ Green Tea Brew: 300ml
◦ Simple Syrup: 15-20ml (less sweet as foam is salty/sweet)
◦ Ice: To about 1.5cm from cup rim
• Top Cheese Foam Layer (~1.5cm thick):
◦ Cream Cheese: 30g
◦ Milk: 30ml
◦ Heavy Cream: 100ml
◦ Condensed Milk: 15g
◦ Sea Salt: 1-1.5g
4. Brewing Tea (General Ratio)
• Tea Leaves : Hot Water = 1g : 40ml (e.g., 10g tea leaves with 400ml of 95°C/200°F water)
• Steep Time: 8-10 minutes.
• Key: Strain after brewing and cool rapidly (over an ice bath or refrigerate) to lock in aroma and prevent bitterness.
I hope this detailed formula table and precise ratios help you successfully recreate your favorite bubble tea drinks at home or better understand the menu when ordering
