Boba tea is a Taiwanese drink invented at tea shops in Taichung, Taiwan, during the 1980s. The term “Boba” is derived from the Chinese word Bōbà (波霸), which is slang for the large chewy tapioca balls commonly added to the drink.

For some reason, boba became a craze among Korean entrepreneurs who have been nonstop in opening shops serving variations of this drink… Visitors now come from all over Southern California to enjoy boba in Koreatown.

Just opened in nearby Larchmont: Boba the Great

And Trader Joe’s just came out with an Instant Boba Kit!