The Best Bubble Tea Toppings
Bubble tea fans look for bubble tea toppings based on how chewy they are, how many calories they have, and if they’re vegan or contain an allergen. With a little creativity, you can take a sweet and heavy drink and turn it into a light and well-balanced drink using the perfect topping. Use this boba tea toppings calories list to compare pearls, crystal boba, jelly, and pudding, then pick a low-calorie boba topping that still fits your order.
“Looking for the best bubble tea toppings? This quick guide covers low-calorie boba toppings, vegan options (grass jelly, aiyu, aloe, crystal boba), and classic combos like black milk tea with tapioca pearls—plus exact how to order tips for 30–50% sugar.”
In this article, I’ll group bubble tea toppings based on how chewy they are, how many calories they have, if they’re vegan or contain an allergen, and what type of drinks they go well with – then you can jump right into determining the drink’s total amount in BobaCal.
How I calculate: Calorie values listed represent approximately 2 Tbsp (≈ 30 g) of topping (cheese foam represents about 1 Tbsp). Each recipe will vary depending upon which boba shop you visit; therefore, consider my values as a general estimate and adjust accordingly with your calculator.
One thing to remember: Use only one topping and set the initial sugar content at 30–50%. Most bubble tea toppings provide their own sweetness. If you’re choosing toppings, compare grass jelly vs. boba calories—one is usually far lighter.
Want control over sugar? These bubble tea starter kits make it easy at home.
Boba Tea toppings calories (per standard scoop; brand averages)
Tapioca pearls
Soft-chewy • classic comfort
Crystal boba (konjac)
Bouncy-chewy • lower-cal swap
Grass jelly
Silky • herbal
Lychee / Coconut / Coffee Jelly
Firm cubes • flavor-forward
Popping boba
Juicy bursts • sweet
Pudding
Custardy • dessert-leaning
clear crystal boba in jasmine green milk tea
Classic Chewy Bubble Tea Toppings
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Tapioca pearls
Classic chew • brown-sugar aroma • gluten-free
Tapioca pearls
Classic chew • brown-sugar aroma • gluten-free
Origin & ingredients
Cassava starch pearls simmered and held in simple or brown-sugar syrup.
Texture & taste
Soft-chewy with light molasses; texture fades if pearls sit too long.
Calorie note
Higher than crystal boba due to starch + sweet soak.
Best pairings
- Black milk tea (malty, classic)
- Roasted oolong or hojicha lattes
- Brown sugar fresh milk (dessert style)
Order examples
- Gong Cha: Pearl Milk Tea, 30–50% sugar
- Kung Fu Tea: Kung Fu Milk Tea + boba, 30–50%
- Tiger Sugar: Brown Sugar Boba Milk, no extra drizzle
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Mini pearls or half-scoop to cut calories and keep sip-flow fast.
Avoid: Fridge storage—pearls harden.
DIY & storage
Cook until just translucent; keep in warm light syrup up to 4 hours.
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Crystal boba (konjac)
Bouncy chew • lower-cal swap • dairy-free
Crystal boba (konjac)
Bouncy chew • lower-cal swap • dairy-free
Origin & ingredients
Konjac (glucomannan) jelly pearls set with calcium; lightly sweetened by the shop.
Texture & taste
Snappy, bouncy chew with a clean finish—less molasses than tapioca.
Calorie range
≈ 15–35 cal per ~2 Tbsp (brand/soak varies).
Best pairings
- Lychee or passionfruit green (30–50% sugar)
- Jasmine green with real fruit
- Floral oolongs
Order examples
- Gong Cha: Lychee Green + crystal boba, 30%
- KFT: Passion Fruit Green + crystal boba, 50%
- Sharetea: Mango Green + crystal boba
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Replace pearls to save ~50–70 cal per scoop.
Avoid: Pairing with popping boba—too sweet + busy.
DIY & storage
Jarred crystal boba is ready to use. Rinse lightly; keep refrigerated in syrup 3–5 days.
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Grass jelly
Silky herbal jelly • very low-cal • dairy-free
Grass jelly
Silky herbal jelly • very low-cal • dairy-free
Origin & ingredients
Mesona chinensis herb extract set with starch/agar; lightly sweetened.
Texture & taste
Silky cubes with faint herbal bitterness to balance sweet bases.
Best pairings
- Roasted oolong or black milk tea (30% sugar)
- Hojicha or barley tea lattes
Order examples
- Sharetea: Classic Milk Tea + grass jelly, 30%
- Chatime: Roasted Milk Tea + grass jelly
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Use grass jelly instead of pudding for a lighter “dessert.”
Avoid: Pairing with popping boba—flavors clash.
DIY & storage
Canned grass jelly is ready to cube; keep chilled in light syrup 3–4 days.
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Flavored jellies (lychee • coconut • coffee)
Firm, bouncy cubes • flavor-forward • check coconut for dairy
Flavored jellies (lychee • coconut • coffee)
Firm, bouncy cubes • flavor-forward • check coconut for dairy
Origin & ingredients
Agar/konjac jellies flavored with fruit or coffee. “Coconut jelly” may be nata de coco (vegan) or a dairy jelly—ask the shop.
Texture & taste
Clean bite; adds noticeable sweetness, especially lychee/mango.
Best pairings
- Lychee or passionfruit green/oolong
- Coffee jelly → coffee milk tea or Thai tea
Order examples
- Gong Cha: Lychee Green + lychee jelly, 30–50%
- CoCo: Mango Green + coconut jelly
- KFT: Coffee Milk Tea + coffee jelly, 30%
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Jelly instead of popping boba to cut syrupy sweetness.
Avoid: Stacking jelly + popping boba.
DIY & storage
Jarred nata de coco keeps weeks in the fridge submerged in syrup.
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Popping boba
Juicy bursts • very sweet • kid-favorite
Popping boba
Juicy bursts • very sweet • kid-favorite
Origin & ingredients
Spherified fruit syrup (alginate shell + calcium bath). Naturally vegan.
Texture & taste
Thin skin with a syrupy pop—adds big sweetness fast.
Best pairings
- Fruit teas, lemonades, sparkling ades
- Avoid rich milk bases—clash in texture
Order examples
- Sharetea: Passionfruit Green + mango popping, 30%
- Chatime: Grapefruit Green + strawberry popping, extra ice
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Half-scoop + no drizzle to control sugar.
Avoid: Pairing with jelly—too much sweetness/texture chaos.
DIY & storage
Store sealed in syrup in the fridge; use within a week as shells thin over time.
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Pudding (egg/custard)
Silky custard • dessert-leaning • not vegan
Pudding (egg/custard)
Silky custard • dessert-leaning • not vegan
Ingredients & allergens
Eggs, milk/cream, sugar, gelatin or agar; sometimes caramel flavor.
Calories & portioning
≈ 40–70 cal per ~2 Tbsp. One scoop is plenty—adds sweetness fast.
Best pairings
- Classic black milk tea (30% sugar)
- Thai tea with a light cheese cap
- Hojicha latte for roasted depth
Order examples
- Tiger Sugar: Black Sugar Milk + pudding, no drizzle
- CoCo: Pudding Milk Tea, 30% sugar
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Want creamy but lighter? Choose grass jelly or almond jelly.
Avoid: Stacking with popping boba or cookie crumbles.
DIY note
Agar-based versions can be dairy-free (firmer set). Egg custard is silkier but richer.
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Cheese foam (milk cap)
Creamy, salty-sweet cap • dessert finish • not vegan
Cheese foam (milk cap)
Creamy, salty-sweet cap • dessert finish • not vegan
Ingredients & allergens
Cream/whole milk + cream cheese + sugar + salt; sometimes non-dairy powder.
Flavor & portion
Rich, cheesecake-like; a light cap (⅓ portion) adds flavor without overwhelming.
Best pairings
- Jasmine green or roasted oolong (sweet–salty contrast)
- Fruit teas with low base sugar
Order examples
- Gong Cha: Green Tea + Milk Foam (light cap), 30% sugar
- KFT: Honey Oolong + milk cap (light)
Smart swaps & mistakes
Swap: Light cap + no other sweet topping; let the foam be the treat.
Avoid: Foam + pudding combo—heavy + sugary.
DIY note
Whip cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, pinch of salt; thin with milk to soft-peak.
For precision (size, sugar level, toppings), use the boba calories calculator.
Beans, Seeds & Extras
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Sago
Tiny starch pearls • ~50–80 per 2 Tbsp • vegan
Sago
Tiny starch pearls • ~50–80 per 2 Tbsp • vegan
Texture & taste
Small, soft-chewy pearls that thicken drinks slightly and sip easily.
Best with
- Coconut or pandan milk teas
- Mango / passionfruit smoothies
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Basil / Chia Seeds
Hydrated seeds • ~25–40 per 2 Tbsp • vegan
Basil / Chia Seeds
Hydrated seeds • ~25–40 per 2 Tbsp • vegan
Texture & taste
Light gel with a gentle crunch from the seeds; adds body without much sweetness.
Best with
- Lemonades & herbal teas
- Honey green or jasmine green
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Oreo / Crumble
Dessert topping • ~60–90 per 2 Tbsp • often gluten/dairy
Oreo / Crumble
Dessert topping • ~60–90 per 2 Tbsp • often gluten/dairy
Flavor & notes
Chocolate cookie crumbs (sometimes with cream) that melt sweetness into each sip.
Best with
- Chocolate or cookies-and-cream milk teas
- Brown sugar fresh milk (keep base sugar low)
Smart tip: Make it the only topping—already sweet and dense.
Classic vs. Cookies-and-Cream — which side are you on?
Ordering at Gong Cha? Skim our Gong Cha calories so you can pick a lighter base fast. You can also check the Sharetea nutrition facts for calories and sugar per drink.
Lower-Cal Bubble Tea Toppings / Vegan Picks
Pro move: Choose one topping; keep drink sugar at 30–50%; go regular/extra ice to brighten flavors without extra syrup.
Not sure which topping has fewer calories? Here’s the full breakdown: Boba Toppings Calories.
Pick a Goal -Order this
“Chewy but lighter”
“Classic comfort”
“Dessert vibes”
“Fruit-forward, not too sweet”
If texture matters but calories do too, check our grass jelly vs boba comparison.
Want exact numbers for your cup?
Run your order through BobaCal for precise calories and macros.
Open BobaCal →
jasmine green tea & cheese foam (light cap)
Common Bubble Tea Topping Mistakes (and Fast Fixes)
Adding Sweet-Top-Sweet.
Solution: Pick only one sweet topping (popping boba, pudding, or foam), and pair it with a base that has less sugar (milk teas have more sugar than green/oolong).
Thinking All Pearls Are Equal.
Solution: Crystal boba or mini pearls will give you chew without soaking up as much sugar. Ask the store if they keep their pearls in plain syrup instead of brown sugar syrup.
Not Thinking About Texture Balance.
Solution: Pair chewy toppings like popping boba with bright bases (like green or oolong milk tea). And pair creamy toppings like cheese foam with roasted or black bases.
Being Vegan Trap.
Solution: Most bubble tea shops do not know what type of gelatin or animal product is in their pudding or cheese foam. However, most jellies, beans, aloe, crystal boba and other are generally vegan. So always double-check the shop’s ingredient list.
Don’t Forget the Hidden Calories from Drizzles!
Solution: Just skip the brown-sugar drizzle! Most bubble tea toppings are already adding sugar into your drink, and most are already adding quite a bit of sugar. So asking for 30-50% sugar when ordering will still be plenty sweet!
Bubble Tea Toppings List — FAQ
Is Crystal Boba Healthier Than Tapioca Pearl?
Crystal boba is generally lower in calories than tapioca pearl boba since it is made of Konjac root, which does not get soaked in brown sugar. So if you are looking for a lower calorie boba option, go for the crystal boba.
Which Bubble Tea Toppings That Are Vegan?
Jelly, bean, aloe, aiyu, basil and chia, and sago are generally all vegan. And, the same goes for most bubble tea shops’ crystal boba. However, most bubble tea shops are using dairy based pudding and cheese foam so always double-check with the shop before getting your boba.
Which Bubble Tea Topping Has The Lowest Calorie Count?
Generally speaking, aloe, grass jelly, aiyu jelly, and crystal boba have the lowest calorie count compared to any of the other options available to you.
Can I Add Multiple BobaToppings?
Yes, you can definitely add Bubble tea multiple toppings, however, remember that each topping adds a significant amount of sugar to your drink. Therefore, stick to just one topping for the cleanest flavor and easiest way to track how many calories you are consuming.
Will Adding A Bubble Tea Topping Change My Drink To Be More Caffeinated Or Contain Dairy?
No, adding a topping will not affect the amount of caffeine in your drink. But, adding cheese foam or pudding will add dairy. Generally speaking, jellies, and crystal boba do not contain dairy.
In Summary: Make Your Dream Bubble Tea!
The best bubble tea toppings are the ones that fit your goals—whether you want something chewy and satisfying, light and refreshing, or a creamy treat. Use our comparison chart, pick one topping, and set the base sugar to 30–50%. Then run your cup through BobaCal to see the calories.
With these tips, you’ll build a drink that tastes amazing and matches your goals—whether that’s a lighter daily go-to or a weekend dessert cup. Cheers to your perfect bubble tea! 🧋
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