By: Sabrina Huda Sanchez

Boba lovers are actually very excited to try new and interesting variations of boba. From creative drinks with boba to new boba flavors. The next fun boba to try is the new crystal boba from Tea Zone. A slightly different experience, but enjoyed the same delicious way.

What is Crystal Boba?

Named for its translucent appearance, Crystal Boba is a gelatin-like chewy pearl that is ready to eat right out of the bag and is pre-sweetened in various flavors. Tea Zone currently makes original and brown sugar flavors that taste great in milk teas or flavored ice teas.
Crystal boba is made from the konjac plant, which is an edible corm. This root has very little taste but many nutritional benefits and has been revered in ancient Asian medicine. That is why crystal boba is considered the healthier choice among boba selections.

Crystal Boba vs. Regular Boba

Regular boba, or tapioca pearls, are made from tapioca root starch. The similarity between crystal boba and tapioca boba is that they are both derived from a root starch to give it a chewy texture. Although, crystal boba is from konjac and regular boba is from tapioca. Also, they both pair really well in milk teas.
On the other hand, tapioca pearls are usually sold as dehydrated balls that need to be boiled and soaked in a sweet mixture, whereas crystal boba does not require any cooking. Regular boba is softer and chewier than crystal boba. Lastly, tapioca pearls are uniformly shaped spheres and crystal boba is more like jelly bean-shaped.

Crystal Boba vs. Popping Boba

Popping pearls, also known as popping boba or bursting boba, are juice-filled pearls with a thin seaweed extract outer layer. They come in a variety of flavors from mango to kiwi and more!
Both crystal boba and popping pearls do not require cooking and are pre-soaked in a sweet syrup. To enjoy, simply use a pearl scoop to drain some of the syrup then add in your cup. Of course, the main difference is that crystal boba has a solid slightly chewy but popping pearls bursts open when bitten and fills your mouth with fruit juice flavors. The other difference is the selection of colors since popping pearls are more vibrant and colorful.
Original crystal boba tastes great in either flavored iced tea or milk teas, however, popping pearls are best enjoyed in iced teas and slushies instead. It is not recommended to pair popping pearls in milk tea.

Raspberry Iced Tea with Crystal Boba Recipe

Original crystal boba tastes great in flavored iced teas and gives the sweet beverage an added texture to enjoy. Check out this quick recipe:

Ingredients:
• 8 oz brewed Tea Zone Black Tea Leaves
• 1 cup Ice
• 2 oz Tea Zone Raspberry syrup
• 1 scoop Tea Zone Original Crystal Boba

Directions:
1. In a cocktail shaker add brewed tea, ice, and syrup. Shake for 10 seconds.
2. In a glass, add crystal boba, ice, then pour over flavored iced tea.
Use a boba straw to drink.

Switch up the flavored syrup for a different beverage every time! Use crystal boba in iced teas, milk teas, slushies, and more! Grab them at your favorite online boba supply store.