Does Starbucks Have Boba in 2024?
Boba tea, also known as bubble tea or pearl milk tea, has exploded in popularity over the last decade. The sweetened milk or fruit tea paired with chewy tapioca pearls has developed a cult-like following, especially among millennials and Gen Z.
With over 15,000 locations in the United States, Starbucks is a frequent stop for anyone looking for tea, coffee, or other caffeine fix. This leads many boba lovers to ask: Does Starbucks have boba tea?
Boba Tea‘s Rising Popularity
The global bubble tea market size was valued at $2.02 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2019 to 2025 according to Grand View Research.
North America makes up the largest share of bubble tea consumption at about 38% of worldwide sales according to Mintel research.
Boba tea shops are rapidly spreading across the United States. Popular chains like Gong Cha, Vivi Bubble Tea, and Kung Fu Tea are opening hundreds of new locations.
| Year | Total Boba Shops in US | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2,300 | – |
| 2019 | 4,500 | +96% |
| 2021 | 6,500 | +44% |
This meteoric growth demonstrates boba tea transitioning from a niche trend into a mainstream staple.
Starbucks Does Not Currently Offer Boba Tea
Despite boba tea‘s exploding popularity, Starbucks does not offer or sell boba tea as of January 2023. None of their permanent menu items contain tapioca pearls.
They also do not allow customizing current drinks with add-in boba or other toppings. You cannot request boba in your Frappuccino or iced coffee when ordering at a Starbucks location.
Why Hasn‘t Starbucks Added Boba to Their Menu?
Starbucks has not added boba tea to their permanent drink menu due to several key factors:
Equipment and Labor – Proper storage and cooking equipment for large volumes of boba would require significant upfront investment and additional labor hours according to JP Poulard, Beverage Solutions Manager at Starbucks.
Inventory Management – Keeping fresh supplies of rapidly expiring boba ingredients like tapioca pearls and special milks would provide supply chain challenges according to food industry experts.
Focus on Core Offerings – With specialty coffee drinks being Starbucks‘ strongest sellers, developing new non-coffee options is not currently a priority according to Starbucks 2022 annual report.
Perception as Temporary Trend – Some speculate Starbucks may see boba as a short-term fad that doesn‘t warrant major menu changes. However, growing data shows boba is transitioning into a mainstream mainstay.
"We don‘t currently have plans to add boba or other toppings like popping boba to our permanent offerings," said a Starbucks spokesperson in an email statement.
Boba Tea Alternatives at Starbucks
While you can‘t get traditional boba tea, Starbucks does offer some alternatives with similar flavors:
Iced Teas
- Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea – Tart hibiscus notes with sweetened strawberry pieces. One of their most popular iced tea items.
- Iced Passion Tango Tea – A refreshing blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, and apple. Tart and fruity.
- Iced Black Tea – Simple black tea sweetened with liquid cane sugar. Ask for extra light water and heavy milk for a boba tea vibe.
Refreshers
- Strawberry Acai Refresher – A berry juice blend with notes of acai and strawberry. Contains green coffee extract for a slight boost of caffeine.
- Mango Dragonfruit Refresher – Blend of mango and dragonfruit flavors. Lightly caffeinated from green coffee.
- Star Drink – Strawberry Acai Refresher with coconut milk for an extra creamy, fruity drink. A customer favorite.
Lattes
- Matcha Green Tea Latte – Sweetened matcha green tea topped with steamed milk. Similar flavor profile as milk tea.
Customizations
- Tea Lemonade with Cold Foam – Any hot Starbucks tea brewed and served over ice with lemonade and topped with sweet cold foam.
- Custom Latte – Make any espresso drink with Teavana tea instead of espresso. For example, a Teavana Chai Tea Latte served over ice.
| Drink | Starbucks Price | Average Boba Shop Price |
|---|---|---|
| Milk Tea | N/A | $3.50-$5.00 |
| Fruit Green Tea | $4.45 | $4.00-$5.50 |
| Passionfruit Tea Lemonade | $4.25 | $4.50-$6.00 |
Summary: While not exactly the same, Starbucks‘ selection of iced teas, refreshers, and customized drinks can provide a similar flavor experience as boba for approximately the same price point.
Is Starbucks Missing the Boba Opportunity?
Given the meteoric rise of boba tea, should Starbucks look to capitalize on this drink trend?
Pros of Adding Boba
- Appealing to younger consumers who drive the boba trend
- Providing more customized drink options
- Catering to shifting consumer preferences
- Capitalizing on highly profitable drink category
Cons of Adding Boba
- Diluting their specialty coffee focus
- Operational challenges of new ingredients and equipment
- Added ingredient costs cutting into profits
- Risk of boba tea being a short-term fad
Starbucks likely wants to avoid reacting too quickly to food fads. However, ample data shows boba transitioning into a mainstream mainstay rather than a fleeting trend.
With proper planning, boba could complement Starbucks‘ drink menu and attract new demographics without compromising their coffee leadership. Evaluating boba‘s long-term role in US drink culture can illuminate if and when Starbucks should jump on this bandwagon.
Bottom Line
Starbucks currently does not offer any boba tea drinks or allow boba add-ins to existing menu items. But with creative customizations and drink alternatives, you can find similar flavors.
While Starbucks is holding off on incorporating boba, the sustained growth shows bubble tea becoming an American staple. With smart execution, Starbucks may find room for boba tea in their ever-evolving menu.
