Five Asian-owned brands to satisfy your boba craving
A comprehensive guide to our favorite consumer bubble tea products and why it matters to the AA+PI community
Words by Xintian Wang
There’s something magical about introducing someone to bubble tea for the first time. I still remember the wide-eyed look on my non-Asian friends' faces as they took their first sip of that sweet, creamy, tapioca-filled delight—part drink, part snack, fully iconic. Watching them try to navigate the chewy tapioca pearls while I gleefully eased into the drink's backstory gave me a strange sense of pride. I wasn’t just sharing a drink; I was sharing a piece of my culture. And soon enough, promoting bubble tea became my unofficial side gig—whether ordering it at work meetings or pushing it at events, I felt like an ambassador for the boba life.
But recently, a clip featuring Canadian American actor Simu Liu, as a guest judge on Dragons' Den (the Canadian version of Shark Tank), stirred a conversation around boba and cultural appropriation. On the show, French Canadian entrepreneurs Sebastian Fiset and Jessica Frenette were pitching their company “Bobba,” which had recently launched its first alcoholic boba drinks, when Liu raised concerns. He stepped in with a pointed critique, saying, "There's an issue with taking something that's distinctly Asian and claiming to 'make it better'—that's where I have a problem."
The situation escalated when the owners made a controversial remark, stating the product is “not an ethical product anymore” and implying that traditional Asian boba drinks might be unhygienic by saying, "You’re never sure about its contents." This harmful stereotype, often applied to Asian food products, led to immediate backlash. Bobba, which markets bottled boba tea supposedly manufactured in Taiwan and is growing in popularity in the United States, issued a public apology on social media following the outrage. However, most netizens found the apology insincere, particularly when the co-founders attributed the misunderstanding to the fact that “English is (their) second language.”
Moments like these show us that bubble tea is far more than a trendy drink. For the AA+PI community, it represents a deep sense of identity. Its history spans from the Tang Dynasty (618–907) in ancient China, where black tea was drunk with milk and cream, to the creation of bubble tea in Taiwan in the early 1980s, and its rise as a cultural icon in Los Angeles’ Asian American youth community in the early 2000s. Bubble tea’s history reflects the fusion of cultures that continues to shape the global Asian diaspora.
The question of, “What’s your go-to boba order?” has become an icebreaker in many East Asian American circles. For some, it’s a source of comfort; for others, it’s an essential social ritual. Beyond the taste, bubble tea is part of how we build connections in an increasingly isolated world.
I spoke with a few Asian-owned bubble tea brands and global chain founders who are reshaping the way we enjoy this beloved beverage. Whether it’s through healthier ingredients, premium offerings, or a deep connection to family traditions, these brands are continuing to shape the way we experience boba—one sip at a time.
Twrl Milk Tea
For Olivia Chen, co-founder of Twrl Milk Tea, the love of milk tea goes beyond the drink itself. Inspired by her Taiwanese heritage and the flavors that reminded her of home, Twrl offers a lineup of convenient, premium milk teas you can make at home in less than a minute.
“We had no idea that our video commenting on the Dragons’ Den’s recent milk tea cultural appropriation issue would go viral. We hope these conversations will bring positive outcomes for more Asian-founded companies that are thoughtfully creating products that reflect their heritage,” Chen says.
Twrl’s offerings include Ube, Hojicha, Jasmine Pu-erh, and Taiwan-style Black Milk Tea, along with their signature boba toppings, such as strawberry popping boba, lychee popping boba, and honey popping boba.
Bubluv
Diana Ark Chen, founder of Bubluv, took her favorite drink and gave it a healthier twist. After realizing how high in sugar traditional boba drinks can be, she set out to create a version that fits her active lifestyle, without sacrificing the flavors she loves.
“As a fourth-generation Asian American, I wanted to create a better-for-you boba tea with no artificial ingredients, low calories, and the same rich taste. We make it in Taiwan to keep the flavor authentic,” says Chen.
Bubluv offers a variety of boba teas with no added sugar and only 20-50 calories per bottle.
MILK+T
For Stacey Kwong, co-founder of MILK+T, boba is more than just a drink; it’s a connection to her family’s traditions. “Our black sesame drink, inspired by my grandmother’s hak zi ma wu (black sesame soup), is just one way we bring our culture to life. Each drink is a piece of our story,” she shares.
Starting as a self-serve boba truck, MILK+T has evolved into an e-commerce brand offering boba kits and event catering. They continue to honor their roots by using ingredients that reflect their Asian heritage.
Gong Cha
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong Cha—which translates to "tribute tea for the emperor"—has grown into a global bubble tea empire. With its signature creamy milk foam, Gong Cha remains true to its original mission of offering premium tea fit for royalty.
“Gong Cha was built on the idea of sharing the highest-quality tea with the world,” the company’s website states. “Our milk foam is hand-crafted to perfection, adding the perfect savory-sweet balance to every cup.”
Boba Tea Protein
Neil Hoang’s journey with boba led him to create Boba Tea Protein, a brand combining his love of fitness and bubble tea. As a personal trainer, Hoang realized he could help more people by creating a healthy boba alternative.
“I wanted to make the healthiest boba tea possible without compromising on flavor,” Hoang writes on the product website. “We source real ingredients from ethical farms, and our drinks are packed with protein—perfect for anyone who loves boba and wants to stay fit.”
Boba Tea Protein blends the best of both worlds, offering a nutritious twist on the classic drink.
Published on October 18, 2024
Words by Xintian Wang
Xintian Tina Wang is a bilingual journalist covering cultural stereotypes and innovations, including gender and sexuality, arts, business, and technology. Her recent work appears in TIME, ARTNews, Huffpost, Teen Vogue, VICE, The Daily Beast, Inc. Magazine etc. She is also the director of events for the Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA) New York Chapter. As a journalist of color and a visual storyteller, she is constantly speaking for cultural minority groups whose voices are buried in mainstream discourses. Her documentary Size 22 won the "Best Short Documentary" at the Boston Short Film Festival and an "Audience Award" at the New England Film Festival. Her photography work is featured in TIME, HuffPost, The Sunday Times, Air Mail, etc. Visit her website at www.xintianwang.net.
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is the Social Media Editor for JoySauce. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans.