What are bubble tea straws?

Bubble tea straws are wide straws, often called fat straws, that are used to drink bubble tea, boba tea, slushies and milkshakes. The straws are around one-half inch wide.

Bubble tea is a flavored drink made with tea, milk, sugar and tapioca pearls. The tapioca pearls fall to the bottom of the drink, and they don't fit in a regular straw. Bubble tea straws are wide enough for the tapioca pearls to fit through.

Tapioca pearls are soft and chewy, with a texture similar to the texture of a gummy bear. They can be as large as a marble. Without a bubble tea straw, the consumer has to tip the cup up or use a spoon to eat the tapioca pearls.