National Boba Day

Young woman with a wide smile, holding a boba tea cup, trendy street fashion, city cafe scene.. — National boba day illustration

Who knew that those chewy, delicious pearls at the bottom of your tea had a day dedicated to them! National Boba day is celebrated with joy and slurping by bubble tea lovers around the globe. Pull up a straw, as we dive into the internet history of National Boba Day!

When is Boba Day?

It's national boba day on the 1st May.

Glance at the Journey of National Boba Day

National Boba Day, honouring the sweet, chewable joy that bubbles at the bottom of our favourite tea, emerged in the virtual sphere with 2111 mentions. The bubbliest attention, pardon the pun, was noticed on the 1st of May, 2019. Not coincidentally, this happens to be the official National Boba Day, a day your taste buds mark with a double underline!

Why May 1st, you ask?

Well, the reasoning behind choosing this day is as clear as a freshly brewed cup of bubble tea - it’s extraordinarily arbitrary. It's like they picked a day out of the hat and voila! But, who needs a reason when every day can be a boba day?!

The Crackling Boba Phenomenon

For those novice tea enthusiasts, 'boba', originally from Taiwan, refers to the tantalizing tapioca pearls that elevate regular tea to a fun and playful experience. Boba has bubbled up into mainstream food culture, dominating Instagram feeds, and has even bobbed up in various spin-offs like boba pizza and boba ice-cream. It's a worldwide trend, and National Boba Day encapsulates this love for all things boba.

Sweet Sips of Celebration

On National Boba Day, tea connoisseurs and sweet-toothed individuals alike relish in the joy of this chewy delight. Special discounts, new flavours, street fairs and even DIY boba-making workshops light up the day. It's a day where one can unapologetically sip, relish and repeat!

History behind the term 'Boba'

1980

The Invention of the Term Boba

The term 'boba' was first used in the 1980s in Taiwan to describe a popular beverage that consisted of tea combined with tapioca pearls. The term 'boba' is derived from the Chinese word 'bōbà', which means large round things or bubbles. This term accurately described the appearance of the tapioca pearls in the tea- a distinctive feature of the drink.

1990

The Spread of Boba in Taiwan

During the 1990s, boba tea became extremely popular in Taiwan, quickly spreading from small local shops to larger chains. The unique combination of milk tea and chewy tapioca balls struck a chord with Taiwanese youth, making it a trendy and refreshing drink of choice. The term 'boba' was now synonymous with this beloved beverage.

1990

Boba's Introduction to the United States

In the 1990s, Taiwanese immigrants started introducing boba tea to the United States, primarily in areas with a high concentration of Asian communities. The term 'boba' quickly caught on within these communities and became the preferred name for the beverage. As more people from diverse backgrounds tried boba tea, its popularity started to spread beyond Asian neighborhoods and into mainstream culture.

2000

Boba Goes Mainstream

By the early 2000s, boba tea had gained significant popularity throughout the United States. It became a trendy drink among young people, particularly college students, seeking unique and Instagrammable beverages. Boba shops began popping up in major cities, and the term 'boba' became widely recognized as a descriptor for this unique tea-based beverage.

2010

Boba's Global Phenomenon

Within a few decades, boba tea had become a global phenomenon, spreading to various countries around the world. The term 'boba' transcended language barriers and cultures, firmly establishing its place in the lexicon of international food and beverage vocabulary. Today, it is not uncommon to find boba tea shops in cities across the globe, offering a diverse range of flavors and variations of this beloved drink.

Did you know?

Did You Know that 'Boba' in Cantonese slang translates to 'large breasts'? Initially, the tea was called 'Bubble Tea' referring to the froth formed by shaking the tea. But, the cheeky wordplay has resulted in Boba gets all the laughs and love!