Is Bubble Tea Gluten-Free?
Is bubble tea gluten-free? Many gluten-sensitive people may also want to drink bubble tea. However, bubble tea may contain ingredients that could cause symptoms for people allergic or sensitive to gluten.
To answer the question, bubble tea is gluten-free. Therefore, bubble tea is safe for those sensitive or allergic to gluten proteins.
Let’s dig deeper to discover why this is the correct answer.
What is Gluten?
If you are asking if bubble tea is gluten-free, I am sure you already know what gluten is. But for those who don’t, let’s clarify the confusion.
Gluten, a protein found in wheat and other cereal grains, is responsible for dough’s elastic texture. It is a mixture of two proteins that can cause illness in celiac patients.
Gluten is a protein found in many carbohydrate foods, most notably wheat. However, some people are unable to digest it well. Gluten-intolerant people may experience symptoms such as vomiting, a decrease in their immune system function, nausea, and irritation. As with any allergic reaction, you might feel uncomfortable after consuming gluten.
In case you are wondering, here are some gluten-free foods.
- Pastries such as cookies, cakes, or pies
- Cereals like corn flakes
- Noodles such as ramen and egg noodles
- Pastas like gnocchi or spaghetti
- Bread such as wheat bread and rye bread
What Ingredients are Gluten-Free in Boba?
As we have already mentioned, you can usually find gluten in foods that contain bread, cereals, or baked goods.
What are the ingredients of bubble tea? Bubble tea generally consists of a tea base, creamer, sweetener, and tapioca pearls. Tea is gluten-free; it’s undisputed. Furthermore, it is vegan, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you should drink it. You might need to research milk and creamers, though. Some people believe that certain kinds of milk or creamers may contain gluten, depending on the milk or creamer. However, most milk and creamers are gluten-free. On the other hand, there is no gluten in sweeteners.
Are Tapioca Pearls Gluten Free?
Tapioca pearls are chewy balls made of tapioca starch extracted from the cassava roots.
Cassava root, a plant native to South America, is a significant food source. It is particularly rich in carbohydrates. Additionally, the cassava root, and the tapioca starch from which it is extracted, are gluten-free. This is because cassava is not a cereal; gluten is usually only added to grains such as wheat bread. Thus, cassava root, a vegetable, is safe for those with gluten allergies though cross-contamination may be a concern.
Tapioca starch can be extracted or processed by milling the cassava root to a fine powder. However, cross-contamination is possible if you are close to the manufacturer or processors for the particular brand of tapioca starch. To be sure, please do your research and ask your regular boba café, such as Bestea in Shreveport, for more information.
We can never be too safe. Everyone should feel as secure as they can while drinking their favorite bubble tea. This article should answer your question about tapioca gluten. However, it is always a good idea to consult a professional for more information!