Don’t Miss Out On Utah’s Boba Scene: Discover Salt Lake’s Most Popular Bubble Tea Cafes
Wait, What is Boba Anyway?
In recent years, it seems as though you could pass through any small town in America and stumble upon a new boba shop, sprouting up almost overnight. Despite the growing enthusiasm for bubble tea, many deem themselves too picky, or outright fearful, to try the drink. Boba itself is used as an umbrella term, referring to the chewy tapioca pearls found in many boba drinks, or used to refer to the broad selection of drinks available at any given Boba shop. Many had their first sip of the drink in the ’90s or early 2000s when boba was being popularized from its country of origin, Taiwan. Though the exact origin of Bubble Tea is moderately debated, it can be traced back to Taiwan in the ’80s, when shops were looking for methods to improve sales for their cold tea beverages. Though tapioca pearls had historically been used in numerous Asian and East Asian desserts, the combination of the pearls with milk tea was something novel.
The most common, and standard, boba is Boba Milk Tea; a Strongly brewed tea mixed with sugar and milk, shaken vigorously with ice, and served with sweet, glossy tapioca pearls. With the thick straw provided by the cafe, you’re able to sip your tea and suck up the pearls at the same time, giving you something to drink and chew. Before you let the idea of chewing your drink deter you, remember that there are literally hundreds of flavour combinations that can be made with the common drinks and toppings offered in boba shops. From blended fruit drinks, bitter-tasting teas, and the classic milk tea, there are countless options for your drink base; Not to mention the variety of toppings that are offered alongside the classic Tapioca Pearls, including aloe vera, coconut & lychee jellies, puddings, grass jelly, and different flavoured foams.
Now that we’ve convinced you to take a sip, let’s explore the Boba that Utah has to offer.
Utah’s Best Bubble Tea
Deciding you want a refreshing pick-me-up is often the easiest part of the process when you have numerous establishments to choose from. Though you may not expect it, Utah has locations for some of the most popular Boba brands around the world! With numerous chain cafes, restaurants, and local shops, you’re destined to find your favourite Bubble Tea somewhere in the valley- And for those of you who cringe at the thought of a Tapioca Pearl entering your mouth from a straw, take some time to explore Utah’s Hidden Coffee gems.
Ding Tea- Taylorsville, South Jordan, West Jordan
Taste is a lifestyle. Or, at least according to Ding Tea, it is. Founded in Taiwan in 2004, the company has sought to promote Taiwanese tea culture and bring a delectable new beverage to the world. With over 1,000 globally operated stores, and around 100 located in the US, Ding Tea has achieved its dream with the infinite possibilities of tea and nonstop innovation regarding their products. With tea leaves harvested from high-altitude tea gardens in Taiwan, there’s no chance you’ll be disappointed with the quality of their drinks.
Some of the most popular drinks include their Signature Milk Tea, Brown Sugar Milk Tea, Mango Slush, Taro Milk Tea, and Mango-Infused fruit tea.
Tea Bar- Sugar House
Looking for an area to spend the day, stop at some shops, and sip on a refreshing drink throughout? Look no further than Tea Bar in Sugar House, SLC. Located in the heart of Sugar House, Tea Bar offers a variety of unique flavour options and many toppings to choose from, not to mention the savoury snacks offered on the food menu. With ambient, indoor seating, Tea Bar offers an excellent place to stop, take a break, and enjoy a delicious drink. However, even those who are restless can find themselves enjoying the streets of Sugar House with a beverage in hand.
Though they offer classic Boba options like Thai and classic Milk Tea, some of their most ordered drinks include Honeydew or Lychee fruit tea, Brown Sugar or Rose Milk Tea, and the Mango Slush. Popular food items include popcorn chicken, fried tempura, and multiple wonton options.
Space Tea- Salt Lake City
If you’ve ever walked into a locally owned shop, you probably know about the comforting ambience and excellent customer service that will likely be awaiting you. This locally-owned, Utah-based company prioritizes an inclusive environment, offering a space for all to hang out, study, relax, and enjoy quality Boba and desserts. Serving a range of smoothies, milk teas, refreshers, and ice cream, this Boba Shop provides answers for your sweet cravings all the way until midnight, Every Day! If you haven’t been convinced yet, you’ll likely be pleased to hear that Space Tea has donated thousands of dollars and tons of items to other small businesses every year, fully committing to their values of building a strong community.
Some of their most popular drinks include their Wintermelon & Rose Milk Teas, Passion Fruit Slush, and one of their signature drinks, the Otter Space, containing soft serve with milk tea and black sugar boba! To sweeten the deal further, they offer Taiyaki Soft Serve with seasonal flavours, and many signature drinks with soft serve included. With their constantly rotating menu and seasonal offerings, you might as well take a look for yourself.
Xing Fu Tang- Salt Lake City
Feel as though the boba just isn’t classy enough for you? Are you disgusted by the artificial flavourings and preservatives that are present in so many of our products? If so, you may just be in luck. Founded in 2018, Xing Fu Tang is one of the most popular worldwide Boba chains in the industry. Popularized with their handcrafted, brown-sugar boba pearls, the company prides itself on delivering quality products made with whole, natural products shipped straight from Taiwan, or gathered from locally fresh sources. Their signature drink is the Brown Sugar Boba Milk tea, which includes their handmade brown sugar boba, locally gathered organic milk, creamy milk foam, and topped with brown sugar that is lightly torched- crème brulee style. Dubbed by some as “the Hermès of bubble tea,” Xing Fu Tang lives up to their elegant title by offering an exclusive Gold Leaf Brown Sugar Tea, which, as you may have guessed, is topped with edible gold leaf, offering a beautiful and grandiose look to your already decadent beverage.
Not craving the rich, sweet taste of brown sugar? Try some of their other menu options, including Herbal Jelly Boba Milk, Dalgona Coffee, Matcha Boba Milk, and Jasmine Green tea. Not only do their drinks taste excellent, but many of the menu items include toppings and designs that elevate the look of your drink, giving you the classic Xing Fu Tang elegance.
Enjoy A Drink Your Way
Now, with all the Boba-infused knowledge we’ve offered, nothing is stopping you from going out, mixing & matching some flavours, and enjoying some of Utah’s best Bubble tea.
Looking for a little more than tapioca pearls to fill your cravings? Lucky for you, we’ve given tips on Jinya Ramen Bar, an excellent restaurant along the Wasatch Front which also offers Boba and tea options!
