A classic Asian drink has become one of the US’s fastest-growing refreshments — creating a global food export stranglehold for Taiwan, its place of origin.
Bubble tea, also known as boba, is named for the chewy, rubbery tapioca balls that give the sweet beverage its unique mouthfeel, commonly known among boba addicts as “QQ.”
Its popularity has surged around the world in the last two years, particularly in America — 2022 trade data shows that these pearls are now US’s biggest food import from Taiwan, a rare pandemic-era success at a time when consumers everywhere cut back on discretionary spending and food outlets struggled to stay afloat.
Top 30 Foods Imported by the US From Taiwan
Import value of tapioca starch-made food
— basically boba — grew threefold in two years
Soft drinks…
