What is Loaded Tea?
Loaded Tea, also known as bubble tea, is a delicious, sweet and decadent beverage which has become a popular drink amongst many all around the world! The traditional Taiwanese drink, which dates back to the 1980s, is made with brewed tea, sugar, and then often contains some type of additive such as flavored jelly, fruit jelly, fruit bits, puddings, agar, popping boba, and more.
Ingredients
- Tea: Green, oolong, black, or white tea is typically used as the base for bubble tea.
- Sugar: To sweeten the drink, sugar, honey, syrups, and fruit are usually added.
- Additives: To make bubble tea fun to drink and look at, a wide selection of add-ins and toppings are often added. Examples include tapioca pearls, jelly, grass jelly, tapioca pudding, coconut jelly, aloe vera jelly, and even ice cream!
Flavors and Varieties
Loaded teas can come in a wide range of flavors such as taro, mango, passion fruit, and lychee. You can also opt for either hot or cold bubble teas, which can be mixed with different kinds of milk – such as almond, oat, and soy milk – as well as different types of juices.
Nutritional Benefits
Although this drink can be quite sweet and high in calories, it is also high in antioxidants and can offer some nutritional benefits. Depending on the type of tea used to make the beverage, it can be high in vitamins and minerals. Tapioca pearls, which are the chewy, black spheres found in some loaded teas, are also quite nutrient-dense.
Conclusion
Loaded teas are a great way to treat yourself and enjoy a sweet, indulgent beverage. Whether you prefer hot or cold, fruity or milky tea, these drinks make for a great treat. With its origins in Taiwan, bubble tea is now a popular beverages all around the world, with a variety of flavors and ingredients available!
