From tapioca pearls to various flavourings, here’s what you need to know before your next sip.
After spending a decade at Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah for her primary and secondary education, Gamar pursued her Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Republic Polytechnic. She then earned her BSc (Hons) in Food and Human Nutrition from Newcastle University through the Singapore Institute of Technology. Now working in the halal development department at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), she applies her combination of basic religious knowledge and scientific background to educate Muslims about Halal and empower consumers in making their own food decisions based on required knowledge.
This article has been vetted by an ARS-certified asatizah.
“Want to buy bubble tea?”
We’ve all been there – that irresistible invitation echoing through office corridors, school canteens, and weekend hangouts with friends. Most of us instinctively reply “Yes, please!” without a second thought. But here’s an important question that might make you pause mid-sip: do we really know if all bubble teas are halal?
Before we dive into the halal detective work, let’s first understand what we’re drinking.
Bubble tea evolution: Simple sips to Instagram-worthy
Remember the late 1990s and early 2000s when bubble tea first became popular in Singapore? Back then, the concept was much simpler. The drinks earned the name “bubble tea” from the chewy tapioca pearls (the “bubbles”) that settled at the bottom of each cup.
During those early days, most bubble tea establishments offered ice-blended drinks and basic milk teas with simple flavours like green apple and blue coral. The best part? A cup of bubble tea cost one dollar – quite a contrast to today’s prices!
Today, the bubble tea landscape looks very different. The industry has expanded significantly, with most drinks now ranging from $4 to $8, depending on the establishment and add-ons you choose.
This transformation has been remarkable, with the markets evolving from simple milk teas to Instagram-worthy fancy drinks. Some feature creamy textures, others highlight fruity flavours, and some may even contain alcohol! While this expansion offers exciting variety, it also means we can no longer assume that all bubble teas are halal.
So, what exactly makes some bubble teas potentially non-halal? Let’s break down the ingredients.
The ingredient investigation: What goes into your bubble tea?
Understanding what goes into your favourite bubble tea is the first step in making informed choices. Here’s what typically goes into each cup:
