We’re Running Out Of Boba Balls!

There is a global shortage of boba tapioca balls. BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 29: Balls of tapioca lie at the bottom of a cup of mango-flavoured bubble tea at a bubble tea cafe on June 29, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. Bubble tea, which fuses Asian tea with milk or fruit syrups and sometimes contains balls of tapioca, originated in Taiwan and has most recently spread in popularity to North America and Europe. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

By Doug O'Brien

We found out last week that we have a shortage of garden gnomes. This week, COVID-19 is causing a shortage of boba balls. If you aren’t sure what those are. They are the little black tapioca balls in bubble tea. 99% of tapioca boba balls and the tapioca starch to make them come from Asia and more specifically Taiwan. Due to the pandemic, the container ships are not getting into the ports and it’s causing a global shortage. The team at Boba Guys explains what’s going on.

Don’t be surprised if in the next week or two your local tea house doesn’t have any boba balls.

-- Doug O’Brien