What's All The Fuss About Bubble Tea!?

Here I am at the Richmond Chinese Night Market sipping on the second bubble tea I've ever had in my life:

I don't know what to say.  About twenty years ago I tried bubble tea for the first time, and I just couldn't  find any amount of enjoyment in the gelatine balls.  I didn't then, and I still don't now.  It will likely be another twenty years before I try it again . . .

I mean the gelatin balls don't taste like ANYTHING!!  They are gummy and just all around not pleasant.

I did some reading on bubble tea and here is what I found out:

• The tea used in bubble tea is usually black or green tea.  As we know, teas are a healthy low fat beverage that has many health benefits in the form of antioxidants and other nutrients.
• To add flavour to the tea many vedors use a fruit puree, which is good, but many vendors will also use a sugary fruit syrup that is high in sugars, carbohydrates, and fat.
• Milk products may add a creamy texture to the drink, but it also adds additional fats etc depending on what the milk product being used is.
• But the real kicker is in the tapioca pearls.  They can push your drink into the 300+ calorie range - YIKES!!

 I don't know why the gelatin balls are so popular, but the actual tea and fruit juice is pretty good.  Maybe I'll give it another whirl someday without the balls .  .  .