FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £75

FAQ’s

All your questions answered, from ingredients to customisation and at home brewing.

Bubble Tea FAQ

We process and dispatch all orders the same day if placed before 3pm, Monday to Friday. Orders are shipped with Royal Mail or DPD on a 48-hour service as standard, unless another option has been agreed by email.

Shipping times are the schedules advised by our carrier services and are not guaranteed. We always do our best to dispatch orders promptly, but delays may occur once the parcel is with the courier, which is outside of our control.

Due to the nature of our food products, we cannot accept returns on opened items. However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible atcontact@bobalife.co.uk with your order number and details of the issue. We’ll work with you to try and resolve the problem quickly, and if necessary, arrange a replacement or refund within 7 days. If you’d like to return unopened items for another reason, please email us first.

  • You will need to arrange and pay for the return postage, as we do not provide pre-paid return labels.
  • Please use a reliable, trackable service and package items securely.
  • For orders sent with free delivery, our original delivery cost will be deducted from your refund.
  • Refunds are processed once the return is received and inspected. We cannot be held responsible for items lost or damaged in transit during return shipping.

You can reach our support team at support@bobalife.com or through our contact form. We aim to respond within 24 hours.

If something isn’t right with your order, please email contact@bobalife.co.uk with your order number and details of the issue. We’ll review it promptly and do our best to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. For damaged or missing items, we may request photos so we can raise the issue with our courier. Please note that while we cannot be held responsible for delays or damages caused by third-party delivery services, we will always do our best to support you and find a fair solution.

General Questions

Bubble tea is a tea-based drink from Taiwan that blends tea with milk, fruit juice, or other flavors, and is typically served with chewy tapioca pearls or popping boba. It’s sweet, customizable, and loved around the world.

Yes! “Bubble tea,” “boba tea,” “milk tea,” and “pearl tea” are all names for the same drink. Technically, “boba” refers to the tapioca pearls inside the drink, while “bubble tea” refers to the drink itself.

  • Milk Tea – Tea with milk and sweetener

  • Fruit Tea – Tea with fruit flavoring and popping boba

  • Smoothie or Slush Tea – Blended with ice for a thick, frosty texture

  • Matcha & Taro Tea – Made with powdered matcha or taro root

  • No-Tea Options – Use milk or fruit syrup for a caffeine-free drink

Ingredients & Flavour Customisation

The flavour of bubble tea comes from the combination of several key elements:
  • The Tea Base – Strongly brewed teas such as black, jasmine, oolong, or green tea provide the main foundation and depth of flavour.
  • Milk or Creamer – Adding dairy milk, non-dairy creamers, or plant-based milks (like oat, soy, or coconut) creates the creamy taste found in classic milk teas.
  • Flavourings – Fruit syrups, flavoured powders, and tea concentrates introduce the signature tastes – from tropical mango and passion fruit to rich taro or matcha.
  • Sweeteners – Sugar, fructose, or honey are often added to balance bitterness and enhance flavour.
  • Toppings – Ingredients like popping boba, tapioca pearls, fruit jellies, or puddings add extra bursts of flavour and texture that make bubble tea unique.
Each element can be adjusted, mixed, or layered, which is why bubble tea is so versatile and customisable.
  • Black Tea – Traditional and bold
  • Jasmine Green Tea – Floral and light
  • Matcha or Oolong – Unique and fragrant

Tip: Steep your tea strong so the flavour isn’t diluted when mixed.

Absolutely! One of the best things about bubble tea is getting creative with flavours. Many of our customers love combining different syrups, powders, and popping boba to make unique drinks at home.

Here are some popular combos to try:

You can also layer syrups or add multiple toppings (like popping boba and tapioca pearls) for extra flavour and texture.

Yes! most of our powders, syrups, and kits are vegan and gluten-free, making it easy to enjoy bubble tea no matter your dietary needs.
  • You can use oat, soy, almond, or coconut milk instead of dairy milk in your drinks.
  • Our tapioca pearls and popping boba are typically vegan.
  • Fruit teas and drinks made with our non-dairy creamers are great dairy-free options.
  • We always recommend checking individual product labels for full allergen details.
Whether you’re plant-based, lactose-intolerant, or simply looking for lighter alternatives, we’ve got plenty of options to help you create bubble tea that suits your lifestyle.
 
  • Tapioca Pearls – Chewy, gummy balls made from cassava starch
  • Popping Boba – Juice-filled balls that burst with flavor

Tapioca needs to be cooked. Popping boba is ready to use!

Here’s how to keep everything fresh after delivery:
  • Popping Boba:
    • Unopened — Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. They remain shelf-stable for up to 12–18 months.
    • Opened — Keep refrigerated in an airtight container, fully submerged in its syrup. Use within 14 days for best quality. 
  • Syrups & Powders:
    Store sealed and dry in a cool place. Most have a shelf life of 12–18 months when unopened.
  • Uncooked Tapioca Pearls (dry):
    Keep sealed in a cool, dry area. They can stay good for up to 2 years unopened, and roughly 6 months once opened. 
• • Cooked Tapioca Pearls:
Best used within 4–6 hours at room temperature—they don’t keep well in the fridge or freezer.
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