If you spend any time in a Canadian city big enough to have a mall, a campus, or a Richmond-style food court, you’ve probably noticed something: bubble tea isn’t a niche treat anymore. It’s part of everyday life. Students walk into class with taro milk tea in hand, office workers grab oolong tea the way others grab a latte, and Reddit threads are full of debates about the best pearls, the right sugar level, and whether we should call it “bubble tea” or “boba”.
So, let’s talk about what this drink really is and where to find the best bubble tea options across Canada – with a few home recipes at the end for anyone feeling inspired.
What Is Bubble Tea?
Bubble tea is a Taiwanese drink made with brewed tea, milk or fruit flavour, sweetener, and tapioca pearls known as “boba.” Some people enjoy it iced. Others stick with hot versions in winter, especially roasted oolong or black tea. The pearls have a soft, chewy texture that’s a little like jelly but with more bounce. The drink was invented in Taichung in the 1980s, most often attributed to Chun Shui Tang.
It’s simple on paper – tea, milk, sugar, toppings – but anyone who drinks it knows it can be incredibly personal. Sugar level, ice level, tea strength, size of the pearls, real fruit or syrup… it’s endless.
Short History
According to Chun Shui Tang’s own records, bubble tea’s origin goes back to Ms. Lin Hsiu Hui experimenting during a staff meeting, pouring fen yuan (a traditional tapioca dessert) into iced tea. That moment turned into one of the most successful drink concepts on the planet.
From there, the drink spread through Japan and Hong Kong in the late 80s, then into North American Chinatowns in the early 90s. By the time the late 90s hit, bubble tea shops were already part of Toronto and Vancouver’s food culture. In 2018, Kung Fu Tea even created National Bubble Tea Day.
Today, the growth curve keeps climbing. Industry watchers point out that bubble tea is one of the fastest-expanding drink categories globally in 2025.
Bubble Tea vs. Boba: What’s the Difference?
In Taiwan, the drink’s birthplace, everyone calls it bubble tea.
In Canada, that never changed. Even on Reddit, people say things like “We’ve always called it bubble tea here, I’ll never call it boba.”
In the U.S., the word “boba” became more common and eventually became a catch-all name for the drink. Originally, though, “boba” referred only to the pearls.
Are they the same drinks? Yes. One drink, two names. “Bubble” refers to the foam created when the tea is shaken. “Boba” refers to the pearls. Whichever name you use won’t change what ends up in the cup.
Bubble Tea Flavours, Types & Toppings
Bubble tea isn’t one drink anymore. It’s a whole landscape of tastes, textures, and experiments. Canada’s bubble tea scene in 2025 is full of choices, and some opinions get heated.
Classic Milk Teas
Milk teas are where most Canadians begin, and they’re still the heart of bubble tea menus everywhere. Shops lean on strong brews like black or Assam tea, jasmine, Earl Grey, roasted oolong, or the famous Royal No.9 blend.
Thai milk tea adds its bright orange colour and creamy spice, while taro milk tea brings that familiar pastel purple and a flavour many describe as gently sweet with a slightly starchy, mashed-potato-meets-vanilla note. These drinks are tea-first, milk-second, and they stay popular because they’re simple, balanced, and easy to customise.
Fruit Teas & Slushes
Fruit teas have taken off across Canada, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, where real-fruit drinks now dominate summer menus. Mango green tea and mango pomelo sago are two of the most requested options, followed by grapefruit black tea, lychee green tea, strawberry black tea, and the refreshing grape lime or white peach tea combos. When it gets scorching hot, shops roll out honeydew and watermelon slushes – bright, icy blends that feel closer to fruit smoothies than traditional tea.
Specialty or Premium Drinks
A newer wave of shops has turned bubble tea into more of a dessert experience. Brown sugar pearl milk teas from places like Tiger Sugar are famous for their caramel-striped cups and warm pearls. Cheese-foam teas from HeyTea, Machi Machi, and Chayan add a salty-sweet top layer that tastes a bit like whipped cream crossed with cheesecake. And then there are crème brûlée milk teas, especially at Machi Machi or Tru Tea, which come with a torched custard lid you crack through with the straw.
Toppings Canadians Love
Even though the base drink matters, toppings often decide whether someone becomes a regular. Tapioca pearls and brown sugar pearls are the classics, but many people switch it up with grass jelly, coconut jelly, coffee jelly, popping boba in mango or lychee, custard pudding, or a swipe of cheese foam. Some combinations get so elaborate that the cup starts to feel like a layered dessert.
How Canadians Customise Their Drinks
Canadians are particular about bubble tea, and that’s part of the fun. Reddit threads are full of people arguing over sugar levels, but most settle somewhere between 30 and 50 percent to keep the tea flavour intact. Many ask for less ice, so it doesn’t water down the drink, especially in winter. Others try different tea bases each visit – jasmine one day, roasted oolong the next – or simply follow the shop’s “Top 10 Drinks” board to avoid overthinking their order. It’s a drink that adapts to you, not the other way around.
Is Bubble Tea Popular in Canada?
Bubble tea moved from novelty to routine in most Canadian cities. Since around 2015, chains have filled retail streets in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary.
If you walk through Richmond BC, Markham ON, or parts of Scarborough, you’ll see more bubble tea shops than cafés. T&T Supermarkets sell bubble tea kits, and malls almost always have at least one shop.
Bubble Tea By The Numbers
Market Size
$140M → $480M
Market Exploding 3.4×
Canada’s bubble tea market is projected to grow from $140 million in 2025 to $480 million by 2031 – more than tripling in just six years.
Growth Rate
22.3%
Annual Growth Rate
The Canadian boba market is expanding at a 22.3% CAGR (2025-2031) – outpacing most beverage categories and rivaling energy drinks.
Demographics
80%
Gen Z + Millennial Buyers
Young consumers dominate the market. Gen Z (ages 13-26) and Millennials (27-42) account for roughly 80% of all bubble tea purchases in Canada.
Top Flavor
#1
Black Tea Dominates
Black tea holds the largest market share among all base ingredients. Classic milk tea with a black tea base remains the most-ordered drink nationwide.
Fastest Growing
↑
Original Flavor Surging
While fruit and specialty flavors get attention, “original flavor” is the fastest-growing segment – appealing across all ethnic backgrounds.
Supply Crisis
2021
The Great Boba Shortage
The Suez Canal blockage in 2021 exposed Canada’s reliance on Taiwanese tapioca imports. Shops ran out of pearls for weeks, unable to make signature drinks.
Major Deal
$12.8M
Jollibee’s Big Bet
In November 2021, Jollibee Foods acquired 51% of Taiwanese chain Milkshop for $12.8 million, signaling major corporate interest in the boba space.
Brand Collab
2020
Chatime × Kellogg’s
Chatime partnered with Kellogg’s Canada to launch bubble tea flavours inspired by Corn Pops, Froot Loops, and Frosted Flakes cereals.
Pop Culture
2022
Kung Fu Tea × Minions
Kung Fu Tea collaborated with Universal Pictures for the Minions: Rise of Gru release, featuring limited-edition drinks and character-themed cups.
Expansion
Dec 2022
Tealive Enters Canada
Malaysian giant Tealive opened its first Canadian location in Ottawa, marking a major new international player entering the North American market.
Hub Cities
3
Toronto • Vancouver • Montreal
These three cities form Canada’s boba triangle, with the highest concentration of shops, chains, and consumer demand in the country.
Health Trend
↑
Wellness Boba Rising
Oat milk, almond milk, collagen-boosted, and probiotic-infused variants are attracting health-conscious consumers who previously avoided sugary drinks.
📚 Data Sources
Fortune Business Insights
“Canada Bubble Tea Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type and By Flavor, 2025-2032”
Mobility Foresights
“Canada Boba Tea Market Size and Forecasts 2031” (Last Updated: Aug 06, 2025)
Spherical Insights
“Canada Bubble Tea Market Insights Forecasts 2023-2033” (Report ID: SI4061)
Where to Taste the Best Bubble Tea in Canada
If you ask Canadians for the best bubble tea shop, the answer depends on the city, the tea base, and personal preference. People get passionate about this. Some even rank tapioca pearls the way others rank pizza crust.
National Chains Canadians Trust
- CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice – Known for predictable quality across locations and a solid classic milk tea.
- Chatime – Popular wintermelon series, accessible pricing.
- Gong Cha – Famous for milk foam and Kanten jelly.
- The Alley – Royal No.9 is a top choice, the tea base is the main appeal.
- Kung Fu Tea – Pearls sweetened with honey instead of sugar.
- Real Fruit – Best for real fruit slushes.
- TP Tea – Created by the same group that invented bubble tea in Taiwan.
Premium & Tea-First Spots (Toronto & Markham)
- Chicha San Chen – fresh brewed while you wait, some call it “Michelin bubble tea”.
- Machi Machi – crème brûlée milk tea is a favourite, plus strawberry panna cotta.
- Hero Tea – grape lime and white peach teas feel perfect for summer.
- Mr. Sun Tea – handmade pearls, often mentioned on Reddit.
- Green Isle – great fruit teas topped with cheese macchiato.
- Sweet7 / Macu – strong fruit-forward menus.
Vancouver & Richmond Favourites
Vancouver’s bubble tea scene feels like it refreshes every few months, but a few names keep showing up in local recommendations. Macu, HeyTea, Chayan, Suntea, Cocobay, and 101 Boba draw steady lines for their fresh fruit drinks, cheese foam options, and seasonal specials.
And if you head into Richmond Public Market, you’ll find Peanuts – a small counter that many locals consider one of the oldest bubble tea spots in Canada. It’s simple, affordable, a little nostalgic, and still handing out the same classic milk teas people grew up with.
Best Bubble Tea Online Shops in Canada
If you’re curious about how to make bubble tea at home or looking for a bubble tea recipe with all the right ingredients, Canada has great online suppliers.
The BBT Shop – Vancouver
The BBT Shop is a go-to spot for anyone who wants bubble tea ingredients without overthinking it. Their DIY kits cover everything from classic milk tea to fruit tea and brown sugar drinks, and they ship anywhere in Canada. If you’re in Vancouver or Richmond, pickup is easy and fast.
BubbleTea.ca – National Supplier
BubbleTea.ca has been around since 2000 and feels a bit like a candy store for home brewers and small cafés. They carry a huge range of syrups, citrus powders, tapioca choices, and even machines for those who want to get serious. Everything ships Canada-wide, and the product range is one of the biggest in the country.
AB Distribution – Calgary
AB Distribution focuses more on café-level supplies, but home brewers use it too when they want restaurant-grade ingredients. They stock creamers, jams, syrups, tapioca, and plenty of equipment, plus they offer POS and customization services for small shops. Orders ship nationwide, making it a reliable option for consistent quality.
To avoid confusion, we want to make it clear that we are not affiliated with Xing Fu Tang Tea Hall, Xing Fu Tang Canada, or any previous ownership. Any reference to Tuangkan boba via, bubble tea, or soft serve ice cream reflects market research only.
Bonus: How to Make Bubble Tea at Home
If you’ve ever wondered how to make bubble tea from scratch, here’s a simple setup.
What You Need
- Tea base (black, jasmine, or oolong)
- Milk or oat milk
- Tapioca pearls
- Sweetener like cane sugar or brown sugar
- Ice
- A wide straw
Basic Milk Tea Recipe
- Brew strong tea: two or three tea bags per 200–250 ml.
- Cook tapioca pearls for 12–15 minutes, then rest them for the same time.
- Coat pearls in brown sugar or honey.
- Mix tea with milk at a 1:1 ratio.
- Add ice and shake.
- Adjust sugar anywhere from 0–100%.
Easy Fruit Tea (Mango or Strawberry)
- Blend fresh mango or strawberries with a bit of syrup and ice.
- Add green tea.
- Shake until bubbles form.
Tips from Canadian Homebrewers
📌 Quick-cook tapioca from T&T saves time.
📌 Oat milk creates a creamier texture.
📌 30–50% sugar highlights the tea better.
📌 Serving in clear glasses shows off swirling colours and makes the drink feel café-ready.
Final Tips for First-Time Bubble Tea Drinkers
- Start with classic milk tea and pearls to learn the basics.
- Explore roasted oolong or jasmine tea if you like bold flavours.
- Switch to fruit teas when you want something refreshing.
- Try lowering the sugar little by little to taste the tea more.
- Pick one “Top 10” drink from each shop and see how different the styles are.
Bubble tea keeps evolving – new toppings, new tea blends, and new shops arriving each year. Whether you’re exploring bubble tea shops across Canada or experimenting with bubble tea options at home, it’s a drink that keeps surprising you. And honestly, that’s part of the charm. If someone hands you a warm cup of fresh pearls on a cold day, you’ll know exactly what we mean.