The Boba Pro Tip You Should Master

There aren't many drinks in the world that are quite like bubble tea. Also commonly known as boba tea, some instantly love the unique varieties of this Taiwanese beverage, while others might dislike its unique textures (via Delish). The basic makeup of these indulgent treats is a combination of tea, milk, and sugar, which is topped with chewy tapioca pearls. Often served in a cup with a plastic seal instead of a traditional lid, you may have to pierce the top of your drink with a straw before you can start drinking. 

For veteran consumers of milk tea, it can certainly be a sight to see when a boba newbie has to figure out how to pierce that plastic cover on their first drink. Whether hesitantly poking the lid with the tip of their straw or going in with guns blazing, many find themselves fighting for a sip of their first drink and fail miserably along the way. Hey, there's no shame in the game — most people find the process difficult to master at first. So whether you're too gentle of a straw-stabber, or too emphatic and thus prone to massive spillage, we've all been there at some point. For the next time you're craving those delicious tapioca pearls the world has come to know, here is a boba pro tip that can save you some spills so you can enjoy the refreshing drink stress-free.

One of the best ways to spot a true boba connoisseur is when they use this fool-proof straw technique. So what exactly is the trick? According to Buzzfeed, avoiding a boba disaster is as simple as putting your thumb at the top of your straw and stabbing down on the drink's lid. Because your thumb is creating an air-tight lock on the straw, you're sure to have no spills at the point of impact, even if you do have a strong arm. But remember: don't use too much force. Even the strongest boba cup has its limits.

Even if you now know how to drink boba tea without making a mess, there's still another component to curating the best boba tea experience you possibly can. Indeed, perhaps the second most stressful part of this experience is choosing a drink in the first place. To simplify the process, take a broad look at how the menu at most bubble tea shops works. 

Every bubble tea shop or stand is a wild beverage world of its own. Do you want your drink blended? What exactly is taro? Does jelly go well with matcha? The options at most shops seem endless — and they can feel especially intimidating if you're a newbie. So how do you make the perfect tea combination for yourself? 

Luckily, most bubble tea stores have a "cheat sheet" on top of their menu — one that walks you through the process of creating the perfect drink. At most stores, this will help you determine a drink's size, temperature, texture, and/or sweetness level (via Thrillist). Once you have those elements figured out, you can choose the flavor of your drink. To start off, consider what makes up a traditional milk tea order. Black tea with milk and boba — usually with sweetener added — is a tried-and-true classic choice. You can also experiment with the lineup of syrups, bases, and toppings available at your bubble tea store to find new flavors and combinations. 

Because of the wide array of choices, don't rush into an order. Look at the menu ahead of time, do your research, and ask questions. The next time you go to indulge in a taro or honeydew milk tea at a shop near you, you'll know what you're getting into. But whatever you choose to order, remember the boba thumb trick so you won't have to fret over a mess.