Is Popping Boba Vegan?

1.What is popping boba?

Popping boba-Picture Courtesy: vinut.com

Popping boba, also known as fruit pearl, bursting boba and popping pearl, is tiny, flavored and juicy pouch which burst when taken. The jelly like shells are smooth and encased with liquids which are fruits juice, are made up of salt (calcium chloride) and sodium alginate by the process of spherification. Popping boba is available in different flavors and it is favorite in snacks, beverages, desserts and juices across the world. It adds flavorful texture to your favorite treat.

2.Can and how you make popping boba at home?

Popping boba recipe-Picture Courtesy:myveganminimalist.com

With the rise of interest in culinary arts across the globe, many people are now exploring the world of popping boba. If you want to impress the guests with vibrant coloring dessert then you must be thankful to molecular gastronomy. Due to this, popping boba making at home is possible. If you want to try it at home, follow these steps!

Steps for making popping boba at home

3.Is popping boba vegan?

Popping boba is vegan-friendly

You’ve had probably tried popping boba if you are a fan of a bubble tea but you must be wondering is it safe for you if you are vegan. The answer is generally YES. The jelly, sophisticated and smoothly outer shell of boba is made up of sodium alginate and calcium salts (which are plant extracts) and these shells or tiny capsules are encased with fruit juice. By using all these plant extract, you can say popping boba is vegan friendly.

4.What are the ingredients of popping boba?

Tiny spheres is a delightful fusion of both science and flavor that burst in your mouth when you chew it. When you are creating a playful topping for dessert or your favorite shake, each ingredient in it is clean and vegan-friendly. Let’s talk about these ingredients:

Fresh Juice( the heart of boba)

Fresh juice

If you are following vegan diet, select the fruit juice of your choice. At the center of boba, a fresh, vibrant and flavorful juice will reside. You must be noticed that the juice must be free from any animal derivatives like gelatin, carmine or any artificial flavors.

Sodium Alginate ( the gentle architect)

Sodium alginate

The silent artisan behind the boba shell is sodium alginate which is derived from seaweed (100% Plant derivative). When it introduce into calcium salt, it forms soft, gel like membrane and it is white color powder. In the ingredient list, it is often labeled as E401.

Calcium Lactate/ Chloride ( the activator)

Calcium lactate

As you know the shell of boba is made by process called spherification, to complete this process, calcium bath is essential.

Calcium lactate is essential to initiate the gel formation. Despite the name, it has no dairy. It is synthesized from non-animal sources.

Filtered water ( the medium of transformation)

Filtered water

Water is universal solvent so, use filtered water in order to dilute calcium compounds or for dilution of juice. You can obtained pure and clean popping boba in this way.

Optional Vegan additions( sweetener, colors, preservatives)

If you want to add more sweetener then add organic cane sugar or maple syrup.

For vegan-friendly popping boba, add beetroot powder( red) and for preservatives, you can add ascorbic acid which is source of vitamin C and potassium sorbate.

5.Does popping boba contain gelatin?

Popping boba-Picture Courtesy: greatlakeswellness.com

It is good news for fans of bubble tea or fruity dessert out there- popping boba is not only fun but it is also animal-products free. You can say it is free from gelatin (product of animal) instead, gel like shell is synthesized from reaction of seaweed (chemical is sodium alginate) and calcium salts (usually calcium chloride) which creates soft texture. But some brands use animal products as an additional products in it so, you must have to check the labels.

6.What makes popping boba vegan-friendly?

Vegan popping boba-Picture Courtesy: cleangreensimple.com

You enjoy soft and fruit juice tiny sacs in your juices and beverages, it’s all vegan friendly.      You must be wondering why it is so. Let’s dive into it:

As the soft and pop-in-your mouth texture of shell is made by spherification   process from        plant products. The liquid or syrup inside it is also the plant juice. It does not contain any animal products like diary, honey and animal collagen so you can say popping boba in your dessert is vegan-friendly.

7.Why do vegans need to check the label on popping boba?

Label of popping boba

Just because it pops, doesn’t mean it is 100% plant- based, so vegans- one glance at the label can save you.

While popping boba is vegan-friendly but some brands manufacture popping bobs which are not 100% plant-based. They add some sneaky ingredients to it as well like for coloring, they use carmine (obtained from crushed insects). You may also be noticed it contain honey as a sweetener (obtained from honeybee). Animal-based substance also be used as a preservatives and flavoring .Overall, popping boba is safe for vegans but one look at the print can save you and stick to your values.

8.Is there dairy in popping boba?

Dairy popping boba-Picture Courtesy: obubble.com

In the world of endless choices, in every bob of popping boba has no dairy products. It is suitable for individuals who are lactose intolerance and wants dairy free products. Popping boba is entirely made up of plant extracts i.e. shells and fruit juice so none of them is milk-based ingredient.

If the boba is a part of pre-made drink, you must have to read the label. Sometimes, the boba itself has no dairy products but the surrounding have (like milk tea and yogurt based treats).

9.What are dairy free/vegan options?

Are you searching for dairy free or vegan based option? You are lucky, in a tons of options, there are popping bobs which are 100% made up of plant extracts.

Let’s explore the dairy free or vegan-friendly options:

Drinks and toppings

Popping boba:

Popping boba

It is included in your drinks for fun, flavorful and vegan-friendly purpose. It is purely made of plant derivatives.

Tapioca pearls

Tapioca pearls

Tapioca pearls are small and round sacs that are made up of starch extracted from cassava roots. Tapioca pearls are used in bubble tea, a famous Taiwanese drink. These pearls are gluten-free and rich in carbohydrates so suitable option for vegan following individuals.

Dairy-Free/Vegan Sweet Treats

Vegan Ice creams:

Vegan ice cream

You want an ice creams and frozen desserts that are purely botanic? Yes, you can avail this kind of ice cream and sorbents. The vegan ice creams and sorbent are made of coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk etc. as a base instead of cow milk. The cane sugar can be used as a sweetener in it. The flavor in your ice cream and sorbent can be of any fruit so, overall this is 100% vegetarian ice cream and sorbent.

Vegan baked Goods

Vegan baked goods

&nbspAre you looking for baked products that are purely, made of plants? You have this option available and can enjoy such baked goods. Such type of baked products have same texture, flavor and qualities as that of non-vegans. The wheat flour or gluten free flour is used as a base. For sweetening purpose, maple syrup or coconut sugar can be used and instead of using eggs, applesauce is used.

Overall, you can enjoy vegan-friendly baked goods as well.

10.Does popping boba contain animal enzymes or additives?

Popping boba

You might be wondering are animal enzymes or additives present in these tiny and soothing candies? What makes them so perfect for everyone? Let’s breakdown the secret behind it.

As these tiny popping bobas are entirely made up of plant products. The shell, the fluid inside it, the preservatives and sweetening agents all are derivatives of plants so, no animal enzymes are present. However, sometimes for coloring and flavoring agent, some brands use animal based derivatives like carmine as a red dye obtained from insects, as a coloring agent. Therefore, it must be consult with a manufacturer for its ingredients if you are preventing animal products.

11.Are popping bobas healthy?

Popping boba

Have you bitten into these tiny bubbles and wondered is it really healthy to take it? These tiny delicious spheres might seems harmless but beneath their playful pop lies a different story.

It has advantages and health risks as well. Let’s explore. Keep reading!

Advantages:

Health risk:

Conclusion

The trend of popping boba in culinary art is trending day by day worldwide. As it has delicious flavor and add decenters to dishes, its usage is increasing globally. But some wondering, is it vegan-friendly? Sure, it is. It is purely made up of plant-derived chemicals (sodium alginate, calcium lactate, calcium chloride, water, cane sugar as a sweetener) and juices ( any kind of fruits) so without any doubt, enjoy it in beverages, snacks and juices.Hope you liked our article on is popping boba vegan? If you still have any queries or need assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with AIPAK team. We are here to help you!