The Boba Shortage: A Sign to Explore The Unknown?

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Imagine a perfect tea that soothes your throat and satisfies you with sweet pearls, offering a sugary taste that so many Americans crave. A tea that comes in dozens, perhaps hundreds, of different colors and flavors so that you never get bored. A perfect match for a classic beef noodle soup dinner with family and friends.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the global rise of boba tea. People cannot get enough of the sweet drink with chewy tapioca. Last May, a national survey found that boba tea was the most popular delivery item in California, Hawaii, and Michigan. These facts may not be surprising to people who have noticed new boba tea shops appearing left and right in their cities. However, this delicacy did not start in the spotlight.

Boba tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, and for many years it was a secret menu item. Before the birth of boba shops, you had to make special requests for the drink at Taiwanese restaurants. Today, however, it is difficult to walk down a street in Los Angeles without blinding LED signs advertising various boba shops. Boba persevered as an underground and mainstream delicacy for over thirty years, but now, there is a threat to the cherished drink.

On April 8, 2021, the owners of U.S. Boba Co. posted a video announcing a national shortage of tapioca balls due to supply chain disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within days, MarketWatch published an article reporting a potential boba shortage that could last months.

For boba tea shop owners, this could mean trouble. Shops around the nation are running out of boba, taro, matcha, and many other products from Asia. International vendors are working hard to fulfill orders, but people are unsure when the boba crisis will be resolved. Furthermore, suppliers prioritize larger orders, so smaller shops will suffer the worst in these circumstances.

Grace Koo, the owner of 9 Rabbits Bakery in Dallas, Texas, told The Dallas Morning News that multiple customers have walked in and left immediately when told that boba or taro is not available. According to Koo, the sourcing problem is “like a kick when you’re down,” especially after being understaffed during a pandemic. To be thoughtful of the situation, customers might want to consider a new menu item. But, what exactly are the other options?

First is the smooth and creamy egg pudding: a unique topping in various flavors such as taro, flan, and mango that pairs well with milk tea.

Next is jelly: whether it be aloe jelly, lychee jelly, or grass jelly, this topping is perfect for refreshing fruit drinks.

Lastly is the bean topping: although unconventional, green bean and red bean pastes are a healthy alternative to boba.

Needless to say, buying boba drinks with new toppings is not the only way to support small shops. Many boba vendors sell authentic Asian street food like popping chicken, fish cakes, and takoyaki.

While choosing new options might be out of your comfort zone, trying different toppings and foods can aid struggling boba shops and cure your cravings. Who knows? Maybe branching out to new flavors and textures will allow you to immerse in the complete milk tea experience.