Does Taro Milk Tea Have Caffeine? Answer Revealed
Taro milk tea is incredibly popular in Asia and is often served with tapioca pearls or pureed taro. It’s especially refreshing on a hot summer day. Like many teas, the thought of caffeine content comes to mind.
Yes, taro milk tea contains caffeine when made with black, green or oolong tea. These tea varieties are harvested from the Camellia sinensis plant, the caffeine source. Using an herbal tea as the base instead will make the beverage caffeine-free.
An average 16-ounce serving of taro milk tea contains approximately 12-50 mg of caffeine content. This isn’t much compared to black or green tea and coffee. To compare, black tea has approximately 45-50 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup serving.
If you’re curious to learn about taro milk tea and what gives it caffeine then read on! We’ll also cover several important health and nutritional facts about this delicious milk tea!
What is Taro Milk Tea?
Taro milk tea, or taro bubble tea, is a flavored beverage typically made by mixing pureed taro or flavored powder, sweetener, milk, and tapioca pearls. Taro is a root vegetable commonly used in Asian cuisine with a nutty and slightly sweet taste. It’s most notable for its distinct and vibrant purple color.
Taro powder or puree with sweeteners is the star ingredient in the drink. The tea base is usually jasmine, black, or green tea. Milk is then added to create a smooth and creamy texture.
The drink is topped with chewy tapioca pearls, or boba, made from cassava starch. These pearls are cooked in sugar syrup before adding to the tea. It’s enjoyed cold and can be served with different variations, such as toppings like pudding, grass jelly, lychee jelly, and more.
Does Taro Milk Tea Have Caffeine?
Yes, taro milk tea contains caffeine if the tea base is either black, oolong or green tea. The only source of caffeine is the tea, whereas taro itself doesn’t contain any caffeine content. The caffeine level also depends on the amount of tea, variety, and steeping time.
It’s always best to ask about the caffeine content of your taro milk tea if you are sensitive to it or trying to limit your intake. Some tea shops may not make their taro syrup or brew tea in-house.
How Much Caffeine Is In Taro Milk Tea?
The amount of caffeine in taro milk tea can vary depending on the tea used in the recipe and the type of tea used. A 16 oz serving of taro milk tea contains approximately 12-50 mg of caffeine.
Black tea, commonly used in taro milk tea, contains an average of 45-75 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, while green tea contains an average of 30-50 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup. The caffeine content will vary based on the brewing time and temperature used.
Comparing The Caffeine in Taro Milk Tea
If you compare the caffeine level in taro milk tea against other teas, you’ll find it has much less. Aside from herbal teas containing no caffeine, here’s a comparison of some of the most popular teas.
- Herbal tea caffeine level: 0 mg per 8 oz serving
- Jasmine tea caffeine level: 15-60 mg
- Black tea caffeine level: 45-75 mg
- Green tea caffeine level: 30-50 mg
- White tea caffeine level: 15-30 mg
Does Taro Have Caffeine?
Taro is a root vegetable that’s used in many Asian dishes and beverages. Since it’s a staple ingredient in taro milk tea, you may wonder if taro contains caffeine.
Taro doesn’t contain caffeine. It’s a natural source of carbohydrates and fiber but has no stimulants like caffeine.
In fact, taro is known for its calming properties. It contains a compound called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has been shown to have a relaxing effect on the body. This makes taro a great choice for people who want to unwind after a long day or have trouble sleeping at night.
What Does Taro Milk Tea Taste Like?
Taro milk tea has a nutty and sweet taste with a creamy texture due to the milk. The sweet flavor comes mainly from the taro powder and sugar syrup used to make the drink. While taro root provides a nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor that’s similar to a sweet potato.
Some tea shops use real taro root by turning it into a puree. This is made by blending cooked taro root with sweeteners and other ingredients; it gives the tea a strong, earthy, fresh taro flavor with a hint of vanilla.
On the other hand, powdered taro has a sweeter and stronger taste due to the added sugar, but it lacks a fresh flavor. The black or green tea base gives a slightly bitter taste that compliments the taro’s and milk’s sweetness.
The chewy tapioca pearls add a unique texture to the drink, a combination of chewy, soft, and slightly gummy, and it also enhances the drink’s sweetness. It’s described in Chinese as “QQ” associated with foods with a bouncy and chewy texture.
What is Taro Milk Tea Made Of?
Taro milk tea is made of milk, brewed tea, sugar, taro powder, or pureed taro root. Toppings such as tapioca pearls, pudding, and grass jelly are added to enhance the flavor and texture.
Here’s a rundown of the main ingredients in taro milk tea.
Taro: You can add taro in two ways–powder or fresh puree. The powdered version is used because it’s simple, convenient, and saves time. But if you want an authentic taro taste, you can also puree fresh taro root.
Milk: Regular milk or alternative options such as soy, coconut, or oat milk provide a smooth and creamy texture.
Tea: Typically brewed black or green tea is used and is the source of caffeine in taro milk tea. Choose loose leaves over teabags because they are of higher quality and produce a better-tasting tea.
Sweetener: There are numerous options to sweeten your taro milk tea, such as cane sugar, maple syrup, agave, and honey. Experiment with different sweeteners to match your taste preference
Tapioca Pearls: Often call boba, tapioca pearls are optional, but they provide a nice chewy texture to top off the drink.
Taro Milk Tea Nutrition
The nutritional value of taro milk tea can vary depending on the recipe and the ingredients used.
One serving (16 oz) of Taro Milk Tea typically contains:
- Approximately 250-350 calories
- 40-60g of Carbohydrates
- 30-50g of sugar
- 5-10g of protein
- 2-4g of fat
- A small amount of dietary fibers and, vitamins & minerals
Taro Milk Tea is known for its higher calorie and carbohydrate content because of the added ingredients like Taro powder, milk, and tapioca pearls. It’s also high in sugar and can be high in fats if whole milk or cream is used as a base. Additionally, tapioca pearls, or boba, are high in carbohydrates.
It’s worth noting that some variations of taro milk tea can be made with more natural ingredients like freshly pureed taro root, low-fat milk, and less sweetener, making it a more nutritious drink.
Some bubble tea shops also provide options for sugar-free syrups and non-dairy milk alternatives like soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk, which can make it a tiny bit healthier.
FAQ About Taro Milk Tea and Caffeine
Is taro bubble tea healthy or unhealthy?
Taro bubble tea isn’t the healthiest option due to its high calories, sugar, and carbohydrates. Pureed taro root does provide some nutrients and essential vitamins, but it’s insignificant and should be consumed in moderation. You can choose healthier options when making taro bubble tea by substituting it for low-fat milk such as soy, coconut, or oat milk. Reducing the sugar content will dramatically lower the calories, or choose sugar-free options. Use pureed taro root instead of powdered taro for additional nutrients and less sugar.
Does taro milk tea have tea in it?
Yes, taro milk tea contains tea, one of the key ingredients in making this delicious drink. Black, green, and jasmine tea are the most popular options. The tea content is also the source of caffeine in taro milk tea which contains approximately 25 mg of caffeine for a 16 oz serving.
Is taro bubble tea gluten-free?
Taro bubble tea can be gluten-free. Generally, taro bubble tea contains tea, fresh or powdered taro, milk, sweetener, and tapioca pearls. Most of the ingredients used to make this drink are gluten-free.
Does bubble tea have caffeine?
Yes, bubble tea contains caffeine if made with caffeinated tea such as black, green or oolong tea. The amount varies by the strength and size of the drink. If you’re looking to avoid caffeine, there are alternatives. Some bubble tea shops offer herbal tea or decaf options, which are naturally caffeine-free.
Final Thoughts
Like any type of tea, there’s a chance it has caffeine. Keeping track of caffeine consumption is always a good idea because all good things are enjoyed in moderation.
A taro milk tea contains approximately 25 mg of caffeine in a 16 oz serving, which is not much compared to regular teas or coffee. If you want to enjoy a sweet drink low in caffeine, then taro milk tea is one to enjoy.
