bubble tea

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Bubble tea, or boba, features large tapioca balls at the bottom meant to be sucked up through a plastic straw. Vendors say paper straws don't always work as well, and they're more expensive. Samantha Shanahan/KQED hide caption

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Samantha Shanahan/KQED

The Salt

San Francisco Is Poised To Ban Plastic Straws. That's Got Bubble Tea Shops Worried

KQED

July 30, 2018 • Over 200 city shops sell the drink, also known as boba tea, which features large tapioca balls meant to be sucked through a straw. Boba shops say paper straws are much pricier and don't work as well.

San Francisco Is Poised To Ban Plastic Straws. That's Got Bubble Tea Shops Worried

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Boba 7, the speakeasy at the back of downtown Los Angeles restaurant Soi 7, serves boba cocktails made with beer or the Korean alcohol soju, in addition to an inventive nonalcoholic menu. Courtesy of Boba 7 hide caption

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Courtesy of Boba 7

The Salt

Bubble Tea Is Back — With A Vengeance

March 22, 2016 • Boba is the Taiwanese beverage that allows you to chew your drink. In its latest incarnations (think horchata and cocktail bobas), it's playing ambassador to a whole host of other foods and trends.