The Rise of Bubble Tea Despite Cancer-Causing Allegations and Deaths

This popular drink has had quite the history. It’s been the reason behind many trips to the emergency room and even been the cause of death. Its reputation has been up against the likes of a smear campaign. Yet, after finding its footing, the unique drink has skyrocketed to become a beloved beverage that has taken the world over by storm.
This is the story of how bubble tea was made, and how it became successful following a tragedy.
Sources: rentry.co/p2krn
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[@LoyaFrostwind]

The sugar in these bubble teas isn’t any more harmful than getting a frappucino from Starbucks. However, accidentally choking on the tapioca balls is a real danger.

[@sasino]

Yep I confirm the choking hazard is what I would make everyone aware of if they're about to try bubble tea. I myself when I drank it for the first time wasn't aware of what to expect, I thought the pearls would melt or something

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

How could you choke on one if you are older than like a Kindergartner?

[@asfduejs5813]

​@@fortheloveofnoise9298maybe they are talking or laughing?

[@lodunost]

There is always someone choking on balls out in the world. Become more common in modern times. :)

[@romella_karmey]

I won’t choke on his balls

[@CCpuppyface]

Let’s be honest here… a lot of food in America have carcinogens. At this point I am unfazed.

[@Alvun416]

Yeah that’s why the smear campaign is insane. American products are so toxic. Most ingredients that show up in American foods are banned in other countries.

[@qjtvaddict]

Lol 😂

[@studioblackheart]

I've been ignoring the "this contains a product known in the state of California to cause cancer" warnings for years.

[@VIII_Royalty_VIII]

As of last week, even some our breakfast cereals 🥣 have turned against us.

[@Darkest_matter]

all this commotion about bubble tea, yet, alcohol is legal in many countries.

[@TheTaxiCast]

hilarious

[@user-manny43]

But we all know it’s bad and in the US we can’t buy it until we’re 21 yo.

[@ramudaamemura_]

​@@user-manny43 No matter what regulations we put on that stuff, it's gonna be smuggled, snuck in, disguised as water, whatever is needed. I know 5 different people who drink occasionally and they're in their first few years of highschool

[@RoxasLopez]

If the things were true it had to be regulated. Especially if it had cancer causing chemicals in it. Just like alcohol.

[@anonymousmc7727]

I don’t drink poison 😂

[@DrApocalyptus]

People need to realise that bubble tea is a desert. Same way a mocha frappe caramel waffle vanilla cream double whipped frappacappucino is a desert. Even if you choose the low / no extra sugar options, unless you're getting straight up oolong tea with no additives, it is a desert.

[@KittynFranky7643]

I think you are right, I'm not allowed too much sugar, it makes me very ill. So I can only have a few sips of bubble tea. But it is very delicious and I love those bubbles. So for me it is like a dessert.

[@paschalx]

Saying bubble tea is deadly is the same as saying that cars are deadly.

[@lisab.1595]

How about all the insecticides in produce? I love how people think they can wash off pesticides with water. Keep thinking that.

[@aleksythehorse5984]

More like saying that milkshakes are deadly.

[@LouRu1000o]

With or without potential additives aside... it's quite shocking how many people don't chew their food...

[@LoyaFrostwind]

True. But also, the cafes give extra wide straws for bubble tea. It’s a lot easier to accidentally inhale a tapioca ball.

[@sasino]

Don't diminish the risk of choking on those pearls, and if you care for people, do tell them to be careful when they are trying it for the first time, and tell them to chew it

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

​@@sasinoits far more dangerous eating fish with bones and they are more widely consumed

[@suslarry7]

@@fortheloveofnoise9298 thing is with fish everyone knows the risk hence they are extra careful but with bubble tea it's easy to overlook the chances of choking so ppl don't usually pay attention

[@Dzeiy]

So people can't chew their food or regulate the amount they consume and this is tapioca beans or bubble tea's fault how?

[@local9]

People don't like taking responsibility for their own actions?

[@JiltedValkyrie]

Or gorge on fried food, drink their livers dry, drive whilst texting... Like the other guy said, never taking responsibility.

[@ThatGuyWhoComments1]

Like everything else, moderation is key. I think any and every food and drink out there you take in repeated and in massive amounts would be very bad lol. Except water.

[@nothingherezero7182]

Even water

[@Felontich]

A person died from drinking allot of water

[@Et3rnalGameNMusic]

Even water my dude.

[@BaDazai]

Even water, water toxicity is a thing. Don't over drink water, drink when you're thirsty!

[@daforkgaming3320]

@@BaDazaiwater poison definitely exists, but you need to drink A LOT and by a lot I mean like an unnatural amount. You shouldn’t rlly get concerned about overdrinking. Anything is bad when taken in large amounts, including healthy food like kale. But the healthier something is, the more it takes to be dangerous

[@nuttyfrootie8550]

What about coke? Millions of Latin Americans suffer from diabetes due to a high sugar diet and American fast food. Like what? Seriously?

[@RSNTM3NT]

The cases of illness is real. I can confirm, MANY of us INDONESIAN (at least in Samarinda, don't know about Jakarta) daily drink bubble tea. My friend daily consume bubble-tea (also called BOBA TEA for some reason) and she collapsed during class. So in advice, bubble team is fine to consume, but not regularly, like EVERY DAY! So, don't drink it too much. It only kills you, if you take it daily.

[@abdulraffey496]

Seems reasonable

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

Yes and I rarely drink it but if I did, I would drink it without the tapioca pearls. I never liked those pearls.

[@aaaduccs6667]

I agree, everything in big portions is unhealthy esp since bubble tea is filled with sugar

[@kirara5548]

i live in south tangerang and i can confirm the boba tea addiction here, there's at least 6 boba tea stores near my uni it's insane

[@nuttyfrootie8550]

But of course if you drink sugary beverages everyday with carbs in it without working out or having a healthy diet OF COURSE you’re gonna collapse!

[@garienza]

We had these bubble teas and many variations of it in my country for more than 20 years, no reports or news that it causes cancer, or heart disease were ever found

[@bobo34393]

I think this is misinformation and should be reported 😮

[@DustinRodriguez1_0]

Cassava root, where tapioca comes from, contains linamarin, and has to be processed to remove it before eating. I'd imagine that's what manages to make it through the production process in small amounts sometimes and could cause issues?

[@garienza]

In my country cassava is eaten, boiled, mashed, deep fried, turned to cake. it's consumed like potatoes never heard of any processing ever done

[@ramudaamemura_]

Imagine having an emoji made after your invention. That would be pretty sick🧋

[@shadowlouise]

I'm sorry ramudaamemura, but I do not understand this. What invention? I do not know what is meant by "having an emoji made." The disconnect may be because I am older?

[@darkvip3r]

​@@shadowlouisethe invention is bubble tea. The emoji is a digital character which represents an image or emotion (in this case, bubble tea: 🧋)

[@Superbustr]

And then there's me who thought the balls were blueberries and thinking it was strange to put blueberries at the bottom of a tea... good thing I never tried it...

[@JiltedValkyrie]

My local milk tea shop does light sweet, non-dairy by default. It's one of the reasons I go there. I find the pearls itself are enough sugar.

[@alexcarter8807]

Stuff's expensive though, I've had boba a couple of times and it's OK but if I wanted to have it regularly I'd buy the bubbles the way the restaurants do at an Asian market and make my own coffee or tea to put 'em in.

[@sasino]

@@alexcarter8807 True it is, it's sold for around $7 here in Tampa. I drink it sometimes, but making milk-tea at home is just as good

[@antistrix]

i mean, lets all be honest. people are surprised it has so much sugar when they don't realize that's how they make it taste like a milky chocolate bar in liquid form.

[@chuk90]

I believe soft drinks like cola or fanta contain much more sugar than bubble tea

[@SLanceB_Ps_Multifandom]

Just like other products, they were able to push through their problems by giving a valid solution to it.

[@thelastfruitcake]

bubble tea is far from the most dangerous food/drink. maybe someone should be talking peanuts or alcohol.

[@Gigachad-mc5qz]

Why peanuts

[@thelastfruitcake]

@@Gigachad-mc5qz a very common allergy. but there are a lot of different food allergies that can be deadly but peanuts are one of the most well-known

[@adamsensabaugh1417]

But we are aware of the dangers of alcohol, so what would be the point

[@lisab.1595]

How about the dangers of Covid shots and boosters? Nobody mentions that.

[@thelastfruitcake]

@@lisab.1595 the risk of vaccines and boosters barely exist. and the benefit far outweighs the risk

[@DanceySteveYNWA]

Cold milky tea and tapioca pudding 😂 . Thats like an 80s uk childs nightmare fuel combination.

[@greatPretender79]

It can't possibly have more sugar than most american sodas.... I see people drink two and three just at work

[@pianokeyjoe]

RIGHT!!?? I don't know.. something just not adding up lol!

[@greatPretender79]

Daffy duck: it jutht doethnt add up?!

[@pianokeyjoe]

@@greatPretender79 LOL! Exactly! LOL! I mean ok, Tea and coffee are diuretics and will dehydrate you as your body needs between 8 cups to 12 cups of water a day minimum at least thats what the doctor told me for my kidney check up so it makes sense people having issues if they drink any tea more than once a day and there is no water hydration to back it up and indeed an alarming amount of folks do not drink enough water in the day to stay truly hydrated so adding coffee, soda and tea to the mix just makes it worse.

[@JohnS-er7jh]

I really enjoy bubble tea. But I haven't had bubble tea in quite a few years (but that is because no place offers where I live and I wouldn't bother making it myself). However I hadn't heard about the cancer-causing allegations either, so thanks for posting it.

[@redstarseed514]

Wow this is the first I heard about this. Where was I when all this happened? I still happily drink bubble tea without any concerns.

[@Tony.L9793]

Too much sugery drinks may cause diabetes

[@gemmagreene362]

I was born in Britain in the 70s - you couldn’t pay me to ingest tapioca again. I’m getting flashbacks to nasty school dinners just typing this! 😱

[@element720]

Less sugar than a caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks. I miss this drink!

[@RedRoseSeptember22]

I never understood the fascination with bubble tea lol, I just add coffee creamer to my tea at home and it's delicious! Why spend extra money? XD

[@scotty3189]

I love bubble tea, but I know enough to only drink it on occasion and be careful with the tapioca pearls. I find it an excellent treat, that is ruined if consumed in large amounts.

[@HarveyLenn]

I remember when bubble tea first came to Germany over 10 years ago. Stores popped up everywhere and people (including me) were obsessed with the stuff, there were even news reports and street interviews about boba stores because of how much people loved them. After maybe a year or less however they closed again bc of the carcinogen allegations which really sucked and I'm glad they're back and so widespread nowadays

[@sasino]

Still make people aware of the choking hazard those pearls pose, it's no joke

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

​@@sasinosurvival of the fittest

[@andromedamessier3176]

I only like the milk tea, not the boba balls. Now, most popular milk tea chains turned into boba shops lol.

[@sasino]

@@fortheloveofnoise9298 ☝🤓

[@NoToYellowpigs]

Just make Ur own organic tapioca pearl.. It's DIY. It's just cassava flour, gluten free

[@-www.chapters.video-]

00:00 Introduction to Bubble Tea 01:12 The process of making bubble tea 02:48 The origins and success of bubble tea 03:22 Health concerns and scandals surrounding bubble tea 05:33 Bubble tea's resurgence and continued popularity

[@-iceevsf-1893]

Tysm

[@somerandomfella]

I've been drinking BBT everyday for quite a while and am fine. I did however develop kidney stones when buying from a particular store. So my only concern is unknowingly buying from a store that uses cheap or contaminated ingredients from China.

[@jeisongarrido7376]

very interesting, I've been wondering why it became so popular in the past few years!

[@someoneanonymous5895]

It doesn't take a lot to cause someone to choke. A couple of droplets of water can cause someone to choke let alone something as big as a boboa which could cause suffocation if someone is not use to intaking solids with little chewing. What I would also question is why some takes longer to dissolve? In those cases, it feels like unnatural additives may have been added.

[@joncan2348]

Aspartame artificial sweetener, soft drinks and alcohol are very likely worse for the health.

[@lisab.1595]

As are all the prescription meds people are swallowing by the dozens every day.

[@peacebalancetruth]

and in EVERY GUM AND BREATHE MINT SINCE 2006!

[@joncan2348]

@@peacebalancetruth That's why Aspartame and alcohol should be avoided. These have very high correlations with cancer. Everything, even good for you ie water, should only be consumed in moderation.

[@kenrock2]

I love bubble tea, but the reason why I stop drinking because it has becoming more like a luxury drink.. At least 3 to 4 times More expensive than it was first introduce..

[@TheRealBatBoyAlive]

Scientists that say Bubble Tea is dangerous are the same people that said Garlic and sesame oil could help prevent covid when pretty much almost every asian does.

[@iandegiovani4703]

Brew Crew here

[@Cambojuice]

We out here.

[@someoneonearth101]

Yup

[@mirandaandrews3399]

Hi

[@Zireael83]

i live in germany and there are many bubble tea shops here too. but all have these much softer pearls that were shown at the end of this video, that contain a liquid. i have never seen these tapioka-pearls anywhere here.

[@alexcarter8807]

Those are called "popping bubble" tea.

[@AliciaGuitar]

Those were tapioca balls too. What you describe is exactly how it should be. I thought they were berries for a long time because of the liquid insides.

[@dlewis9760]

I searched it out BECAUSE of the cancer causing possibilities. I'm a risk taker. It's a flex. I usually eat puffer fish at the same time.

[@ilener1698]

Bubble tea taste like a milky tea that someone decided to throw gummy balls into. Not a fan of drinking something like tea while chewing gummies, it’s unsettling. It’s great that people like it but I can definitely understand why many folks like myself don’t.

[@Qamzi90]

Reminds me of chubbyemu vidoes

[@dialmstyle]

As I reach for my bubble tea…

[@yup_pea]

Awesome video 👍

[@sidneyboo9704]

Im worried about the sugar in it more than the pearls itself.

[@Kylelongwest]

I used to make tapioca pearl by myself. I made it with tapioca powder and water. I never knew it's made of cassava root

[@af1boost583]

I had my doubts about this. Was thinking of getting sum a few days back

[@kittykat34]

These are all skill issues. You can choke on literally anything

[@mousebeacon26]

Honestly, nothing is safe now a days 😕

[@DanceySteveYNWA]

Like the word 'nowadays' apparently...

[@HighProteinPowder]

funyn how people say bubble tea is bad yet then go buy a starbucks pumpkin spice 100% sugar oreo snickers mars double whipped cream diabetes shake

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

I rarely drink this but if I did, I would drink it without the tapioca pearls.

[@EB-ok3io]

Not that I drink bubble tea but it seems less harmful than these monster energy drinks.

[@shravansunil97]

Never had one....will never have one

[@vinzanity68]

Never had the fear of missing out on milktea. Never had one.

[@AliciaGuitar]

Its not really tea... more of a milkshake

[@Hayasaku-B2B]

I never even get bubble tea with tapioca pearls. I only got popping bubble tea cuz I didn’t like the taste of tapioca pearls.Guess my taste buds kinda save me there.

[@JudelovesRiver12]

This is actually so sad 😞💔 I still love my boba. I’m gonna get popping ones more now

[@musicvibes70489]

Yeah people should chew more when they eat the pearls

[@swirlycube9293]

I’ve only ever had boba ONCE in my life and it was on my birthday this year. On that day, without them knowing it was my birthday, there was a boba truck at the park I live near. A friend of mine bought some for me. The boba was great, but nothing I would drink daily.

[@jumokejoie]

The rate we eat Cassava in Africa in various forms .....Garri, Fufu, Tapioca Cassava Chips .... Would try bubble tea soon.

[@blusetteo42]

😂😂👌🏾

[@HFC786]

Fascinating

[@sanguineschnoz]

Do these people not chew their pearls?? 😂

[@joemint5666]

Nice, a new upload.

[@Pepper_JH]

When there’s bad news, some people fail to give in to logic.

[@DTolen]

To me this all sounds like Starbucks don't like having competition, and paying lots of money to make this tea looks like the devil. If sugar was a concern then you should worry a lot more about coke, and most cases of intoxication came after people abused in the consumption of the tea.

[@aiorlin8722]

Once my kid drinking bubble tea, and she feel her stomach hurt and puke … and i really surprise that she puke all the bubble out … after that i forbid them to eat again… cause bubble somehow hard to digest and that is very danger

[@adamsensabaugh1417]

I am not shocked people have actually inhaled it. I feel like it’s hard not too

[@sasino]

Agreed, I also had issues when I tried it the first time, since nobody ever told me I was supposed to chew them

[@RAJOHN-ke7mc]

I never understood the novelty and have never had one.

[@kerrytakashi12]

I had bubble tea once and it made me very sick. I will never touch it again.

[@frostery1483]

2 Milk Teas everyday?? Holy moly that's your fault

[@1Virez]

chew and swallow, the first actually wise words a TikToker ever said.

[@sashi_youtuber]

Wait pls don’t say this … i don’t love much things but this is one thing i love so much 😢

[@515klrkillahoobie6]

June 30 my b day I'm gonna get five bubble teas

[@someguy1315]

Hmm.... Didn't know that this stuff have a lot of suger and didn't think it could be this harmful at all. Atless I learn some thing today that help me from dying from dumb way.

[@Alasterius41]

Nowadays, you can adjust/ customize the sugar levels of your drink at bubble tea shops. I usually go for 30% sugar. And you can also go for other kinds of toppings (like the vid says).

[@janedoe7971]

Drinking a bubble tea while watching this. 😂

[@beatpirate8]

switch w tapioca or chia seeds

[@rickyboy6390]

I drink bubble tea but i didn't know much about this

[@lyssgoddess]

Well I’m already getting cancer from my microwave 😂🤷‍♀️

[@chrisjin8794]

Isn’t that much better than alcohol?😂

[@sitoudien9816]

I thought it was fade that would go away. Girls drink this stuff like a baby bottle.

[@oceanblue888]

It was said that Coca-Cola has been way worse world wide 😂

[@josieann5031]

I tried it once and that was one time too much.

[@vernanarzekalski3484]

Root plants pictures are Daikon Radish plants not Cassavas(Tapioca plants)

[@shannonrobinson262]

I enjoy bubble tea. We even make it at home. Yummy

[@saralopera2849]

I mean that's pure sugar...

[@ballincat34_]

bro no way ppl dont chew their food 💀

[@somebody2641]

If there is a afterlife it must be awkward to say that you died to some god damn bubble tea

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

there is

[@SiqiZhu-by9bi]

I dont get milk tea with pearls all the time I have peach tea with green apple popping pears thats the best

[@blueshiftministries5554]

WHAT!!! I love bubble tea 😢

[@ryuugaeisen8946]

B-but the cassava root crop is eaten by us locals! I never knew it was dangerous😰

[@stevenbliss989]

Milk can only be "NEAT" or with Lemon, NO NO NO MILK ....BLAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeremyisjeremymartin]

That is not cassava root!

[@colleenprinssen]

oh no. is that how I got cancer?

[@22mae]

That pic is not cassava root

[@user-kh4uz7bx6h]

Placebo?

[@silverwolf2643]

Don't use a straw lol and I thought you not supposed to try eating the pearls.

[@liksoonlo]

Tapioca pearls are overrated. The alternative toppings are way better.

[@om-nj2hw]

That's cause all people care about is what's trendy and what's on Instagram

[@emilyg9142]

Why are the boba a black-ish color when tapioca starch is white?

[@titoturla863]

Brown sugar

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

​@@titoturla863sometimes honey is added

[@gendoruwo6322]

A drink you're supposed to chew? that's such BS. To me life is simple: If you have to chew it first, it's not a drink, it's food. A drink is only if it's of such smooth runny consistency and so easily digestible that you absolutely don't need to chew, just gulp, swallow, totally safe. Boba bubble tea should be classified as dessert snack, NOT a drink. It should be served in open wide glass cups in cafes, and NOT in takeaway drinking cup+straw. The idea of bubble tea as a drink is abhorrent to me. I would never buy this.

[@MintDecavitator]

tapioca is food and it's mostly the drink

[@poodleMammoth]

I thought it was poop

[@urumi142]

🧋good

[@ksoo8938]

that is not cassava 0:45

[@NEONY-_-]

Smooth round B A L L S