Wondering if bubble tea is vegan or if it works for those who can’t have dairy? Breaking News: You’re not alone.
Many bubble tea lovers who are vegan or have dairy allergies or lactose intolerance often find themselves asking these questions. The good news is that there’s plenty of room in the bubble tea world for everyone, including dairy-free and vegan.
Is Bubble Tea Vegan and Lactose-Free?
Getting to know the ingredients that go into a bubble tea cup can make all the difference. It opens up a whole menu of options that fit right into vegan and dairy-free diets.
Whether you’ve sworn off dairy for personal choices, or ethical beliefs, or you’re just trying to cut back, there’s no reason to miss out on the bubble tea fun.
So, if you’re asking yourself questions like: “Is bubble tea vegan?” “Can it be dairy-free?” The answer is: Yes. And we’re here to show you how.
Understanding Bubble Tea Vegan Options
Wondering “Is bubble tea vegan?” To find out, you need to look at what’s typically in bubble tea to figure out which parts are vegan-friendly. The main constituents of bubble tea include the tea itself, some kind of sweetener, milk (or a milk substitute), and toppings like tapioca pearls or fruit jellies.
- Tea base – this part is easy, right? All tea (black, green, or oolong) is vegan because it comes from plants. So, the tea base in bubble tea is totally vegan-friendly. No worries.
- Sweeteners – most of the time, the sweet stuff in bubble tea, like sugar or syrup, is vegan. However, some sugars are made using bone char, which is primarily made from cattle and pig bones. This means that if you’re trying to be really careful about your vegan diet, you might want to double-check the sweetener before ordering a cup of bubble tea in your local bubble tea store.
- Milk alternatives – regular bubble tea usually has dairy milk, but you can swap this out for plant-based milk. Almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk are all vegan and can make your bubble tea creamy without using the actual dairy.
- Toppings – the fun part! Tapioca pearls are vegan (they come from the cassava plant), and most fruit jellies and popping boba are too since they don’t use gelatin. But, watch out for some toppings like certain jellies or creams that might not be vegan.
So, is bubble tea vegan? It definitely can be if you pick the right ingredients. With so many vegan options for all the parts of bubble tea, you can still enjoy your favorite drink without worrying about animal suffering. Whether you want something sweet and creamy or tangy and refreshing, you can make a vegan bubble tea that hits right on the spot.
Picking Lactose-Free Bubble Tea
For those avoiding lactose, there is a solution as well. Simply starting with a tea base – black, green, or any other is always safe. Skip the regular milk and go for lactose-free alternatives like almond or soy milk. Toppings? Tapioca pearls and most jellies are your friends.
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