Bubble tea, or boba, was born in Taiwan in the 1980s—and almost by accident. The story goes that a tea shop employee, on a whim, dumped her tapioca dessert into a glass of iced milk tea during a meeting. Her coworkers loved it, and soon, customers were ordering the same unusual combo.
What started as an afterthought turned into a global sensation. The chewy tapioca pearls add texture, creating a drink you eat and sip at the same time. Today, bubble tea shops have exploded worldwide, with creative toppings like aloe, jelly cubes, or cheese foam. Proof that some of the best inventions come from unexpected moments.