Does Regular Boba Have Caffeine? The Complete Answer

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 79% of bubble tea drinks contain caffeine, derived from their brewed tea base. This is because while the chewy, round tapioca pearls, known as boba, are themselves caffeine-free, most traditional recipes rely on caffeinated black or green tea.

Quick Summary

The caffeine content in boba tea depends on the drink's tea base, not the tapioca pearls. Many delicious caffeine-free options are widely available.

Key Points

The pearls are caffeine-free: The signature chewy boba pearls, made from cassava root, contain no caffeine themselves.
Caffeine comes from the tea base: Any caffeine in a bubble tea drink originates from the brewed tea base, not the tapioca pearls.
Black tea has the most caffeine: Boba drinks with a black tea base, such as classic milk tea, will have the highest caffeine levels.
Green tea has moderate caffeine: Opting for a green tea or oolong base results in a lower to moderate caffeine content.
Caffeine-free options exist: Many fruit and milk-based drinks are made without any tea, making them a great caffeine-free choice.
Customize your order: For those sensitive to caffeine, it is always best to ask your barista to use a non-tea base, like milk with syrup or an herbal infusion.

The Truth About Boba Pearls and Caffeine

Many people are confused about where the caffeine in a bubble tea drink originates. The simple and definitive answer is that the boba pearls themselves contain no caffeine. These signature chewy spheres are made from tapioca starch, which is derived from the cassava root. In their basic form, tapioca pearls consist only of tapioca starch, water, and sometimes brown sugar for flavor and color. When you eat boba, you are consuming carbohydrates, not a stimulant. The caffeine content in your drink is entirely dependent on the liquid it is served in, which is typically a tea base. It's the type of tea used—black, green, or oolong—and how it's prepared that determines the caffeine level of your final beverage.

How Caffeine Levels Vary by Tea Base

The most significant factor influencing your bubble tea's caffeine content is the type of tea used. Different teas, brewed from the Camellia sinensis plant, naturally contain varying amounts of caffeine. Here is a breakdown of the most common tea bases found in bubble tea shops:

Black Tea

Black tea, which is the most common base for classic milk tea, generally has the highest caffeine content among bubble tea options. A 16 oz (approximately 475 ml) serving of black milk tea can contain around 50 mg of caffeine, though this can vary depending on brewing time and strength. For comparison, a standard cup of coffee averages around 95 mg, so while it provides a definite kick, it's typically less intense than coffee.

Green Tea

For those seeking a milder caffeine boost, green tea-based drinks are an excellent choice. A 16 oz serving with a green tea base contains less caffeine than its black tea counterpart, usually in the range of 25 to 45 mg. This is a balanced option that offers flavor and a gentle lift without the intense energy rush.

Oolong Tea

Falling between black and green tea in both flavor and caffeine content, oolong tea is a popular choice for many bubble tea fans. An average oolong-based drink contains approximately 30 to 50 mg of caffeine per serving, offering a moderate and smooth energy release.

Matcha

Made from finely ground green tea leaves, matcha contains higher levels of caffeine than regular brewed green tea because you are consuming the entire leaf. A matcha milk tea can contain up to 70 mg of caffeine per serving, delivering a more sustained and focused energy boost.

Find Your Perfect Boba: Caffeinated vs. Caffeine-Free Options

For customers who are sensitive to caffeine, or for those who simply want a decaffeinated treat, bubble tea shops offer a wide variety of excellent options. If your favorite drink is typically tea-based, you can often request a modification to remove the caffeine entirely. Here are some of the best caffeine-free alternatives:

Brown Sugar Milk: A popular, aesthetically pleasing drink featuring caramelized brown sugar syrup swirled with fresh milk and tapioca pearls. There is no tea involved in this recipe, making it naturally caffeine-free.
Taro Milk: This vibrant, purple-hued drink has a sweet, nutty, and creamy flavor profile. When made with taro powder and milk, it contains no caffeine.
Fruit Tea (Herbal-Based): Fruit-flavored teas can be caffeine-free if made with an herbal base, fruit purée, or fruit syrup and water instead of a traditional black or green tea base.
Herbal Tea Infusions: Some shops offer drinks made with herbal teas like chamomile, ginger, or peppermint, all of which are naturally free of caffeine.
Flavored Milk: Drinks like strawberry milk or honeydew milk, made with fruit flavoring and milk or creamer, are often caffeine-free.

A Comparative Look at Boba Caffeine Content


Type of Drink	Estimated Caffeine (per 16-24 oz serving)	Key Ingredients	Caffeine Source
Black Milk Tea	50-90 mg	Black tea, milk/creamer, sugar, boba	Tea Base
Green Milk Tea	25-45 mg	Green tea, milk/creamer, sugar, boba	Tea Base
Oolong Milk Tea	30-50 mg	Oolong tea, milk/creamer, sugar, boba	Tea Base
Matcha Milk Tea	60-70 mg	Matcha powder, milk, sugar, boba	Matcha Powder
Brown Sugar Milk	0 mg	Brown sugar syrup, milk, boba	N/A
Taro Milk Tea	0 mg	Taro powder, milk/creamer, sugar, boba	N/A
Fruit Tea (Herbal)	0 mg	Herbal tea, fruit syrup, water, boba	N/A

Conclusion: It's All About the Base

Ultimately, whether a bubble tea has caffeine depends entirely on its base liquid. The chewy tapioca pearls themselves are not the source of stimulation. By understanding the different types of teas and the caffeine-free alternatives available, you can easily customize your order to match your preference. Whether you're in the mood for an energizing black milk tea or a refreshing, decaffeinated fruit blend, there's a perfect boba drink for everyone. You can learn more about the properties of tapioca pearls from sources like Tapioca pearl - Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The caffeine in bubble tea comes from the tea base used in the drink, such as black, green, or oolong tea. The tapioca pearls, or boba, are made from cassava starch and do not contain any caffeine.

Taro milk tea and brown sugar milk tea are often caffeine-free if they are made with just milk, flavoring powder/syrup, and boba, without a traditional tea base. However, some variations may add a tea base, so it's best to ask your server.

To get a caffeine-free boba drink, order milk-based flavors like brown sugar milk, taro milk, or strawberry milk, which typically use no tea. You can also opt for a fruit-flavored tea made with an herbal or caffeine-free base.

Not all fruit teas have caffeine. If a fruit tea is made with an herbal base (like hibiscus or mint) or just fruit syrup and water, it is naturally caffeine-free. However, if it's made with a black or green tea base, it will contain caffeine.

Bubble tea generally has less caffeine than a standard cup of brewed coffee. A typical cup of black milk tea might have around 50-90mg of caffeine, while a cup of coffee has around 95mg or more.

The caffeine level is influenced by the type of tea used (black tea has more than green), the brewing time (longer steeping increases caffeine), and the serving size.

While some shops may offer decaffeinated teas, it's more common and simpler to choose a naturally caffeine-free option. Ask the barista what caffeine-free bases they offer.