When it comes to taro milk tea, whether or not it contains caffeine depends largely on the base tea used. If the drink is made with a traditional tea base, like black tea, green tea, or even oolong tea, you can expect some level of caffeine content. The caffeine levels can vary based on the tea type and the brewing process, but it typically falls between 40-70 mg per 8 oz serving for black tea and around 30-50 mg per 8 oz serving for green tea.
This makes the drink a moderate source of energy boost without feeling overwhelming, so if you’re someone who enjoys a smoother, lighter taste, green tea might be a better choice.
However, not everyone is a fan of caffeine. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free version of taro milk tea, there are plenty of options out there. Many versions are made using only taro flavoring such as powder, syrup, or fresh taro, along with milk and sweeteners, but without any tea. These tea-free options provide the same creamy indulgence without the added caffeine kick.
If you’re unsure about the caffeine content in your drink, always make sure to check the ingredients—whether it’s from pre-made mixes or café recipes. Some places might even let you ask the vendor or check the labels to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want, whether it’s a gentler pick-me-up or a relaxing treat.
What is Taro Milk Tea?
Taro milk tea is a sweet, delicious, and purple drink made from taro root, jasmine green tea, and milk. Traditionally, it’s made with fresh taro root that’s cooked and pureed, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
However, many bubble tea shops prefer using taro powder, which is artificially colored and can contain added sugar. For a more natural approach, I use purple yam and all-natural taro powder, still giving it that beautiful purple color without the artificial additives. When it comes to caffeine, the tea base plays a role.
Jasmine green tea, typically used in taro milk tea, offers a lighter, gentler caffeine effect compared to black tea. If you enjoy your taro milk tea with chewy boba tapioca pearls, you’ll love how the drink’s creamy and mellow vanilla flavor perfectly complements the moderate caffeine boost.
Does Taro Milk Tea Tea Have Caffeine?
When you’re sipping on a cup of taro milk tea, you might wonder if it contains caffeine. While the taro root itself is naturally caffeine-free, the tea used in preparation often does have caffeine. The caffeine content largely depends on the type of tea paired with the taro.
For example, black tea typically has about 40-50 mg of caffeine per 1 cup, while jasmine tea contains around 20-30 mg. If you want a caffeine-free option, you can always ask your friendly bubble tea maker to prepare a version with herbal tea or make it without tea altogether to avoid any added caffeine.
Taro Root and Ingredients
What is taro?
Taro is a starchy root vegetable that has a flavor similar to sweet potatoes when cooked. It has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor, and while taro boba tea may look vibrant lavender, raw taro isn’t naturally purple.
The brownish-gray skin of taro hides its white flesh, which turns a light purple when the root is processed. To prepare taro milk tea, the taro root is either cooked, pureed into a smooth paste, or you can use dried and ground taro powder as a shortcut.
What is the Taro Root?
Taro root is a starchy root vegetable with a mildly sweet taste that grows in the lush rainforests of Southeast Asia. While the root itself has brown outer skin and white flesh, it’s the purple specks within that contribute to its unique appearance.
However, the vibrant purple color that you see in Taro Tea typically comes from Ube or purple yam, or sometimes from lilac food coloring added by boba tea shops to enhance its sweetness and vibrant color, transforming the otherwise off-white drink into a striking beverage.
Taro Powder vs Fresh Taro Root
When making taro milk tea, the choice between fresh taro root and taro powder can impact both the preparation process and the color. While fresh taro root has natural purple lines, it is not vibrantly purple like the purple bubble tea we see.
For a more beautiful, vibrant purple color, I personally prefer using purple potato and taro powder. This is because using taro powder is much easier—there’s no need to cook or puree fresh taro root. Plus, the flavor of taro powder is spot on and perfectly complements the taste of purple boba tea.
Another reason for using the powder is that it provides a stunning purple color without any artificial additives, making the drink both flavorful and visually appealing.
What is Taro Powder?
Taro powder is made by drying and grinding taro root, offering a convenient way to make bubble tea. While homemade taro paste can create a thicker, creamier milk tea, taro powder has a fragrant flavor that simplifies the process. It’s a quicker and easier option, especially when you want to skip the preparation of fresh taro. The powder is often found in various brands, each with different ingredients or additives, but I prefer an organic taro powder with just 1 ingredient, ensuring a pure and natural taste in my bubble tea.
Taro Milk Ingredients
When it comes to Taro Milk Tea, the basic ingredients are quite simple, but they can vary depending on the recipe or personal preferences. Generally, it includes taro, milk, and a sweetener. The type of tea used, like black tea or green tea, may also impact the final flavor.
You can customize the ingredients to suit your taste, whether you prefer a stronger taro flavor or a lighter milk base. The beauty of this drink is in how you can adjust it to your liking while sticking to its basic ingredients.
Taro
When making Taro Milk Tea, the main ingredient is often taro powder because it’s commonly used for its ease and consistency. This dried, ground taro root is often mixed with added sugar or flavoring to enhance the taste.
While many prefer the smooth taro base made from fresh taro root, this requires extra preparation time. The fresh taro root is boiled, mashed, or blended, giving a richer and more authentic flavor to your milk tea.
Both options can offer a delicious drink, but the choice between taro powder and fresh taro root depends on how much time you’re willing to spend and the flavor experience you desire.
Milk (or Milk Substitute)
In Taro Milk Tea, you can choose between whole milk and non-dairy milk options. Whole milk is often preferred for a creamy and rich texture, adding to the smoothness of the drink.
However, if you’re looking for a dairy-free version, non-dairy milk options like almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk work as great alternatives. Each type brings a unique flavor, so you can customize your drink based on your dietary preferences.
Sweetener
When making taro milk tea, you’ll often add sugar to sweeten the drink, with either white sugar or brown sugar being the most common options. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste, depending on how sweet you prefer your drink.
If you’re looking for alternatives, honey, agave syrup, or even artificial sweeteners can be used as alternative sweeteners to cater to different dietary preferences or to reduce sugar intake. The choice of sweetener can affect the overall flavor and sweetness level, so feel free to experiment to find your perfect combination.
Ice
For taro milk tea, you can add crushed or cubed ice to chill the drink, giving it a refreshing and cool texture. Ice is optional, depending on whether you prefer your drink colder or at room temperature. Some people enjoy the extra chill for a more refreshing taste, while others prefer it without ice for a smoother, room-temperature experience.
Water (optional)
For making taro milk tea, you can use hot or cold water to dissolve the taro powder and adjust the texture. Sometimes, it’s necessary to use water to thin out the consistency of the drink, depending on how thick or smooth you want it. The temperature of the water can influence the mixing process, so adjust accordingly based on your preference.
Optional Add-Ins:
Tapioca Pearls (Boba):
For taro bubble tea, tapioca pearls (also called boba) are a key ingredient that give the drink its signature chewy texture. These pearls add a unique touch, enhancing the overall experience of sipping the drink.
Creamer:
Some recipes add a bit of non-dairy creamer or heavy cream to provide extra richness, creating a smoother and more indulgent version of taro milk tea.
So, the core ingredients for Taro Milk Tea are taro (powder or fresh), milk, and sweetener, while add-ins like boba pearls, ice, or cream can enhance the flavor and texture.
What Does Taro Milk Tea Taste Like?
Taro milk tea has a delightful and nutty flavor, reminiscent of cooked taro or sweet potatoes. The mild sweetness of the root vegetable gives it a comforting taste, similar to a sweet potato-like taste. Adding sugar or a sweetener enhances this, making the flavor more vibrant. Many people enjoy steeping green tea or jasmine tea into their taro milk tea, which adds a subtle floral and fragrant flavor to the drink.
The drink is often rich and milky, with a creamy texture that reminds you of vanilla milk. The chewy tapioca pearls at the bottom give it an enjoyable texture, and they add a sweet chewiness that transforms it into boba tea or bubble tea. If you’re looking for a refreshing and indulgent treat, taro milk tea offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that make each sip enjoyable.
How to Make Taro Milk Tea?
To make taro milk tea, start by boiling 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Add dry tapioca pearls and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once done, stir in 2 tbsp coconut sugar and let the pearls soak in the sugar water for about 30 minutes.
While the pearls are soaking, prepare the green tea by steeping 1 jasmine tea bag in 1 cup of hot water for 5-6 minutes. In another bowl, combine taro powder, 3 tbsp coconut sugar, and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is dissolved and well blended, then allow it to cool to room temperature.
Next, divide the prepared tapioca balls evenly into 2 glasses. Add 1/2 cup of the taro tea mixture and top with 1/4 cup of whole milk in each glass. Stir everything together until well-blended, and finish it off with some ice for a refreshing touch. Enjoy your homemade taro bubble tea!
Taro Milk Tea Calories & Nutritional Info
The calories and nutritional information of Taro Milk Tea can change based on the ingredients used. For example, the type of milk, the amount of sugar, and the presence of boba pearls all play a role in the final nutritional breakdown.
For a 16 oz (473 ml) serving made with taro powder, whole milk, and sugar, you can get a general idea of the content based on these choices, but it’s always good to check the specifics for the exact combination you use.
| Ingredient | Calories (with boba) | Calories (without boba) |
| Taro Milk Tea | 300-450 | 200-350 |
| Protein | 0 g | 3-7 |
| Fat | 0.1–0.5 g (trace amounts from coffee bean oils retained due to no paper filtering) | 6-10 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g (unless sugars/milk are added) | 50-70 |
| Fiber | 0 g | 1-3 |
| Caffeine | ~80–135 mg per 8 oz (varies by bean type, grind size, and steeping time) | 30-70 |
| Antioxidants | Rich in polyphenols (e.g., chlorogenic acids) linked to anti-inflammatory benefits | |
| Minerals | Trace amounts of potassium, magnesium, and manganese | |
| Vitamins | Small amounts of B3 (niacin), formed during roasting |
Is taro milk tea good for you?
Taro Milk Tea can be a delightful treat, but its health benefits depend on the ingredients and how it’s consumed. Taro is a great source of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, supporting digestion, heart health, and immune function.
It also offers antioxidants that assist in fighting oxidative stress. If you use non-dairy milk like almond milk or oat milk, the drink can be lower in saturated fat, making it a healthier option for those mindful of their fat intake. However, many commercial versions are made with added sugars and artificial flavorings, which can decrease its nutritional value.
On the downside, Taro Milk Tea can be quite high in sugar and calories, especially when made with sweetened taro powder, full-fat milk, and boba pearls. The added sugar can cause blood glucose spikes and contribute to weight gain if consumed excessively.
To make it healthier, consider a version with less sugar, a low-fat milk alternative, or even unsweetened almond milk. Reducing or skipping the boba pearls can also help lower the calorie and carbohydrate content, creating a more balanced and health-conscious choice.
Recommended Daily Intake
When it comes to Taro Milk Tea, there isn’t a specific daily intake recommendation that fits everyone. The amount you can consume depends on your individual dietary needs, lifestyle, and health goals.
Given that Taro Milk Tea can be high in calories and sugar content, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. If you do have it regularly, it’s essential to practice moderation, ideally limiting it to a 16 oz serving to avoid excessive sugar intake and the potential for weight gain.
If you’re looking for a healthier version, consider reducing sugar, using low-fat milk or plant-based milk instead of full-fat options, and skipping or minimizing the boba pearls. This can help make your Taro Milk Tea more suitable for daily consumption while still balancing it with a nutrient-rich, well-rounded diet.
Alternatives of taro milk tea
If you’re looking for alternatives to Taro Milk Tea, there are several options that can provide similar flavors or textures while being potentially healthier or catering to different tastes. Here are a few:
Matcha Milk Tea
If you’re looking for an alternative to taro milk tea, matcha could be a great option. This powdered green tea offers a unique, earthy flavor and a vibrant green color. It’s also packed with antioxidants and gives a gentle caffeine boost, which can be a better choice for those looking for a lighter pick-me-up.
For a dairy-free option, you can opt for plant-based milks like oat milk or almond milk to make it a healthier choice. Matcha provides a different yet equally satisfying experience compared to taro, while still delivering the comforting warmth and flavor you may crave in a milk tea.
Sweet Potato Milk Tea
For a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor, Sweet Potato Milk Tea can be a great choice. It’s a delicious substitute for traditional taro milk tea, offering a unique twist. Sweet potatoes are not only rich in fiber, but also packed with vitamins and antioxidants, making it a nutrient-packed option.
You can easily make this drink using sweet potato powder or even boiled sweet potatoes, blended into milk for a smooth and satisfying treat.
Brown Sugar Milk Tea
If you’re looking for something sweet and a little different, Brown Sugar Milk Tea (also known as Brown Sugar Boba Milk) is a great option. It offers a rich caramel-like taste and comes with chewy boba pearls that add a fun texture. While it’s generally less sugary than taro milk tea depending on how it’s made, it still provides that indulgent sweetness that many crave.
For those who enjoy trying a new flavor profile, this could be a perfect choice to satisfy your craving for something a bit more unique.
Ube Milk Tea
If you’re looking for something similar to taro milk tea but with a twist, Ube Milk Tea could be a perfect choice. Made from the purple yam native to the Philippines, this drink shares a similar color and flavor to taro but offers a slightly different flavor profile.
Ube is known for its vanilla-like taste, which is less earthy compared to taro, making it a delicious and unique alternative. It’s a great way to enjoy a similar experience, while still tasting something different.
Coconut Milk Tea
For a refreshing and creamy drink, Coconut Milk Tea uses coconut milk as its base, giving it a unique tropical twist. You can enhance the flavor with various ingredients like mango or lychee for that extra touch of sweetness. Being naturally dairy-free, it’s perfect for those looking for a vegan option.
To keep it healthy, natural sweeteners like honey or coconut sugar can be used instead of regular sugar, making it a great choice for anyone aiming for a healthier option.
Chai Milk Tea
If you’re craving something with a bit of spice, Chai Milk Tea is a perfect choice. The traditional chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger create a warming, aromatic alternative to other teas. Combined with milk, it delivers a rich, flavorful tea that’s both comforting and energizing, making it an ideal drink for when you need a cozy pick-me-up.
Whether it’s chilly outside or you simply need a break, this tea offers the perfect balance of spices for a satisfying experience.
Fruit Tea or Iced Fruit Teas
For a lighter, refreshing alternative to the rich, creamy options like taro milk tea, fruit teas such as mango, peach, or lychee are a perfect choice. These drinks are lower-calorie and can still satisfy your sweet tooth without the heaviness of milk-based teas.
You can enjoy them sweetened naturally with fruit juices or honey, and they can be served with or without boba, depending on your preference. If you’re looking for something lighter and more refreshing, fruit teas are a great go-to!
Each of these options offers unique flavors, and by adjusting the level of sweetness and type of milk, you can customize them to suit your tastes and dietary preferences.
Different variants of taro milk tea with their caffeine content
There are several variants of Taro Milk Tea, each offering a unique flavor or texture while maintaining the core essence of taro. The caffeine content in these drinks can vary depending on the type of tea used as the base, as taro itself does not contain caffeine. Here are some popular variants and their typical caffeine content:
Traditional Taro Milk Tea (with black tea)
When it comes to traditional taro milk tea, most variations use black tea as the base, which brings in a rich and robust flavor. This gives the drink a unique depth that many people love. If you’re wondering about caffeine, yes, black tea does contain it, and depending on the steeping time, it can have anywhere from 40-70 mg of caffeine per 16 oz.
So, if you enjoy the smoothness of taro milk tea but want to avoid too much caffeine, it’s good to know that the caffeine content is moderate.
The common variant of this drink doesn’t overwhelm with caffeine, offering just the right amount for a mild boost without the jitters. It’s perfect for those who want the comforting sweetness of taro combined with a slight caffeine kick.
Taro Milk Tea (with green tea)
If you’re looking for a lighter flavor in your taro milk tea, opting for a version with green tea as the base might be your perfect choice. The delicate flavor of green tea creates a more subtle taste compared to the traditional black tea, and it also has the benefit of containing less caffeine.
Typically, this variant offers about 30-50 mg of caffeine per 16 oz, which is significantly lower than the black tea-based versions. This makes it an excellent option if you want to enjoy the creaminess of taro milk tea without too much caffeine. It’s a great balance for those who prefer a gentler kick without compromising on flavor.
Taro Coconut Milk Tea (with coconut milk)
If you’re a fan of a creamy texture with a tropical twist, then taro coconut milk tea might be your go-to. This variant swaps regular milk for coconut milk, giving the drink a smooth, tropical feel without significantly changing the caffeine content.
Whether it’s made with black tea or green tea as the base, the caffeine content will usually stay between 30-70 mg per 16 oz, depending on the steeping time. So while you get the richness of coconut milk, the caffeine will remain similar to the base tea, offering a balanced taste without overwhelming you with too much energy boost.
It’s an ideal choice for those who want a unique twist on the traditional taro milk tea without altering the caffeine experience too much.
Iced Taro Milk Tea
For those hot days when you crave something refreshing, iced taro milk tea is a perfect choice. This chilled version of the traditional taro milk tea still carries the same caffeine content as the base tea used.
Whether it’s made with black tea or green tea, you can expect 40-70 mg of caffeine per 16 oz, depending on the steeping time. The ice doesn’t change the caffeine level, so you can enjoy the creamy sweetness of taro with a cool twist, all while getting a mild caffeine boost.
Taro Milk Tea (with herbal tea or non-caffeinated base)
If you’re looking for a caffeine-free drink, some variations of taro milk tea offer a unique twist by using a non-caffeinated base. Instead of the typical caffeinated tea base, these versions use herbal teas, like chamomile, or even water as the base.
This results in a caffeine-free drink with the same creamy and smooth texture you love from taro milk tea. These options are perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the sweet, comforting taste of taro without the added caffeine kick.
Taro Latte (with coffee or espresso)
If you’re craving something stronger, the taro latte with a shot of espresso is a great option. This variant of taro milk tea is similar to a traditional taro latte and combines the creamy sweetness of taro with the boldness of coffee.
The caffeine content in this drink is higher due to the espresso shot, typically ranging from 30-80 mg per 16 oz, depending on how much espresso is used. So, if you’re a fan of both coffee and taro milk tea, this drink offers the perfect balance of both flavors and an extra energy boost.
Taro Bubble Tea (with black or green tea)
When it comes to taro bubble tea, the addition of chewy tapioca pearls (also known as boba) makes it an even more enjoyable treat. This version of taro milk tea maintains the same caffeine content as the black tea or green tea base used.
If made with black tea, you can expect about 40-70 mg of caffeine per 16 oz, while a green tea base offers a slightly lower caffeine content at 30-50 mg. So, if you’re a fan of that sweet, creamy taro flavor but also want a bit of energy from the caffeine, this variation offers a nice balance.
The caffeine content can vary slightly depending on the base used—black tea provides a richer, stronger caffeine kick, while green tea gives a milder boost. Either way, the addition of boba makes each sip fun and satisfying.
Whether you’re enjoying it as a refreshing afternoon drink or a treat to pair with your favorite snack, taro bubble tea is a delightful way to experience taro milk tea with that extra bubble of excitement.
Taro Almond Milk Tea
Taro Almond Milk Tea is a delicious variation where almond milk replaces regular milk, offering a unique nutty flavor. While it has fewer calories and potentially less fat, the caffeine content remains the same as the base tea used, typically 30-70 mg per 16 oz serving if made with either black tea or green tea. So, whether you enjoy a black tea or green tea base, the caffeine content will not change, giving you the same energy boost you expect from your traditional taro milk tea.
| Base Type | Caffeine Content (per 16 oz) |
| Black Tea Base | 40-70 mg |
| Green Tea Base | 30-50 mg |
| Herbal Tea Base | 0 mg |
| Coffee/Espresso Base | 30-80 mg |
Ultimately, the caffeine content of Taro Milk Tea depends on the type of tea used and whether additional caffeine sources (like espresso) are added.If you’re seeking a beverage with less caffeine, opting for green tea or herbal tea as the base is your best choice.
Conclusion
In summary, the caffeine content in taro milk tea varies depending on the tea base used. When made with black tea, the caffeine content is usually 40-70 mg per 16 oz, while if green tea is used, it ranges from 30-50 mg. For those who want a caffeine-free option, choosing herbal teas like chamomile provides 0 mg of caffeine.
Alternatively, adding espresso or coffee can increase the caffeine content to 30-80 mg, depending on the shot size. So, you can customize your taro milk tea to suit your caffeine experience, whether you’re looking for a gentle boost or a caffeine-free option.
FAQs
Does taro milk tea actually have tea in it?
Taro milk tea is made with ingredients like taro root, tea, milk, and a sweetener, but despite the presence of vitamins and nutrients in the taro root, it’s not typically considered a health drink.
Can I drink taro milk tea while pregnant?
The answer to the question of whether you can drink bubble tea while pregnant is yes, as long as it is made with pasteurised juice or milk. It’s important to ensure that the ingredients used are safe, as unpasteurised products can carry health risks. When prepared with pasteurised milk or juice, bubble tea can be a safe and enjoyable drink during pregnancy.
Is boba healthy?
Boba itself offers very few health benefits, although its calories and carbohydrates can provide a quick boost in energy. However, in most cases, boba tea contains high levels of sugar, which has been linked to long-term health conditions like diabetes and obesity. So, while it can be a tasty treat, it’s important to consume it in moderation.
What does taro milk tea smell like?
The drink smells just like real taro milk tea, with a somewhat nutty aroma and a subtle background of milk tea. This combination makes it a delightful sensory experience, reminding you of the comforting flavors in every sip.