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Boba pearls Calories
High-carbohydrate, low-protein, low-fiber sweet beverage add-in
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 serving (medium) of Boba pearls (50 g) has 80 calories. That works out to 160 calories per 100 g. It contains 19.5 g of carbs, 0.1 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat and 0.4 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 70 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Boba pearls Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 50 g
80
KCAL / 50G
Carbs
19.5g
· 7% DV
Protein
0.1g
· 0% DV
Fat
0.1g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0.4g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 98% · Protein 1% · Fat 1%
Boba pearls nutrition facts table · 1 serving (medium) (50 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.1 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.02 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 4 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 19.5 g | 7% |
| Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.1 g | 0% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Serving of Boba pearls?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (medium) | 50 g | 80 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (small) | 15 g | 24 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (medium) | 30 g | 48 kcal |
| 0.25 cup (quarter) | 40 g | 64 kcal |
| ½ cup (half) | 80 g | 128 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 90 g | 144 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 160 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 160 g | 256 kcal |
Calculated from 160 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boba pearls
How do you cook boba pearls for bubble tea?
Cook dry boba pearls in plenty of boiling water, following the package directions because cooking times vary by product. Stir occasionally so they do not stick, then drain and use promptly. A brief rinse can remove excess surface starch before adding them to a drink.
What are boba pearls made of?
Classic boba pearls are made mainly from tapioca starch, which comes from cassava root, then shaped into balls and processed for sale. Some products also contain sweeteners or coloring. They are not the same as the juice-filled pearls sometimes called popping boba.
Why are my boba pearls hard in the middle?
Boba pearls that are hard in the middle are usually undercooked or have cooled for too long after cooking. Keep cooking them according to the package directions until the center softens, and serve them soon after preparation for their characteristic chewy texture.
How long do cooked boba pearls last?
Cooked boba pearls are best eaten soon after preparation, while they are still soft and chewy. They can firm up or lose their texture as they sit, especially in the refrigerator, so make only what you plan to use and check leftovers before serving.
Are boba pearls the same as tapioca pearls?
Classic boba pearls are a type of tapioca pearl: they are made from tapioca starch and used in bubble tea. The terms can also be used loosely for different sizes or styles, so check whether a product is chewy starch pearls or juice-filled popping boba.
Do boba pearls contain caffeine?
Boba pearls themselves are caffeine-free. Caffeine in a boba drink comes from ingredients such as black or green tea, not from the tapioca pearls; a fruit-based or tea-free drink may contain no caffeine.
Can you make boba pearls at home?
Yes, you can make boba pearls at home by mixing tapioca starch with hot water, shaping the dough into small balls, and boiling them. The dough can be tricky to handle, so add the hot liquid gradually and work while it is still warm.
Can you freeze cooked boba pearls?
Freezing cooked boba pearls is not a good way to preserve their usual chewy texture. Thawing can leave them hard or unevenly soft, so cook a fresh batch when possible rather than freezing leftovers.
How should you store an opened package of dry boba pearls?
Store dry boba pearls in an airtight container in a cool, dry place after opening. Keep moisture out to prevent clumping and spoilage, and follow the package instructions for any product-specific storage guidance.
Why do boba pearls get mushy?
Boba pearls can turn mushy when they are overcooked or left sitting in hot liquid for too long. Use the cooking time on the package, drain them once tender, and add them to the drink shortly before serving.
Boba pearls Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B1
0.01mg · 1% DV
B2
0.01mg · 1% DV
B6
0.01mg · 1% DV
B5
0.01mg · 0% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.04mg · 2% DV
Copper
0.02mg · 2% DV
Iron
0.1mg · 1% DV
Zinc
0.05mg · 0% DV
Potassium ⭐
6mg · 0% DV
Sodium
4mg · 0% DV
Boba pearls Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Boba pearls
To burn the 80 calories in 1 serving (medium) (50 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Boba pearls?
Made from tapioca starch extracted from cassava, Boba pearls are the chewy addition that helped make Taiwan’s bubble tea famous. They are simmered until soft and often sweetened before being added to a drink. Their appeal is mostly in their springy, pleasantly chewy texture rather than a strong flavour. They are commonly served in iced milk tea or fruit tea, sipped through a wide straw; bubble tea shops around the world offer many variations.
They are chiefly a source of carbohydrate, with 39 g per 100 g, while protein and fibre are low. For a less sweet drink, pair them with unsweetened tea or ask for less syrup, and choose a smaller amount of pearls.
How Nutritious Is Boba pearls?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Boba pearls Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Boba pearls Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Boba pearls Good For?
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Boba pearls Fat Profile
SATURATED
0.02g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.01g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.01g
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.