“I have always been a fan of bubble tea, even during the first wave of the bubble tea craze in 2002. However, I am growing increasingly cautious as there has been all these articles about the amount of sugar in them,” said Ms Jane Teo, 43, housewife.
The Health Promotion Board has recommended the consumption of eight to 10 teaspoons of sugar per day for adults. However, a medium-sized bubble milk tea with pearls and the full amount of sugar contains 8 teaspoons of sugar.
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“There has been rising health concerns. Many tend to quit drinking their favourite beverages cold-turkey style, only to succumb to their cravings in a few days. They don’t realise (that) moderation is key. They can make use of the customisation option to make their beverages healthier, such as going for toppings such as herbal jelly,” says Ms Lim Su Fern Linda, 41, course manager of the Diploma in Food & Beverage Business in Nanyang Polytechnic.
The option of customisation has been integrated into the business approach of many bubble tea stores, offering customers the option of choosing their sugar level. According to an independent survey by The Walking Sun, 86% of 100 respondents would not order sugarless bubble tea. The most common reason is that “sugarless bubble tea is tasteless”.
“If I have to get sugarless bubble tea, I will not even purchase it at all. I don’t think it will be
worth my money,” said Ong Yu Xin, 16, a student.
Is sugarless bubble tea really as lacklustre as it is perceived? No need to wonder; The
Walking Sun’s Tang Jia Wen has tried and tested it for you. Presenting to you: our verdict on sugarless bubble tea from 3 brands, ranked in ascending order.
3. KOI
Flavour: 3 / 5
Accessibility: 5 / 5
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Amidst the unending list of bubble tea stores, KOI remains a crowd favourite and is available at many places around the island. However, it seems to have missed the mark on sugarless Oolong milk tea. While the milk retained its natural clean and creamy, almost bland taste, the fragrance from the Oolong tea was pale in comparison. As a result, the taste of the milk overpowered that of the tea, resulting in a beverage that tastes watered-down. However, the herbal jelly was its saving grace, with its chewy consistency which packed a punch.
From 100 to 0
Amidst rising health concerns regarding sugar content in bubble tea, TANG JIA WEN looks
into Singaporean’s distaste for sugarless bubble tea
Published 7 August 2019
For most Singaporeans, not getting their usual fix of bubble tea every other day is a tall order. From brown sugar bubble tea to bubble tea hot pot, bubble tea has become an integral part of the Singaporean diet. However, with the diabetes epidemic in Singapore, the spotlight has been thrust on the hidden dangers of the beverage.
2. Each-A-Cup
Flavour: 4 / 5
Accessibility: 5 / 5
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Each-A-Cup is a childhood favourite for many, and has remained in the local scene till today.
Their outlets can be found at convenient locations, such as shopping centres or even
educational institutions such as Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Upon taking my first sip, I was
pleasantly surprised by the balance of the milk and Oolong tea. It was a harmonious and
fragrant blend which kept me going for more. The herbal jelly was the icing on the cake, with its smooth yet firm texture. Coupled with its ease of accessibility, Each-A-Cup’s rendition of sugarless bubble tea did not disappoint.
1. Bober
Flavour: 5 / 5
Accessibility: 2 / 5
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Bober is the new kid on the block, having opened in 2018. However, I was blown away by
their sugarless milk tea. The milk was soothing and hearty, serving as a perfect complement to the Oolong tea, which was extremely fragrant. In fact, I had almost forgotten that this was a sugarless milk tea, due to its extraordinary flavour. However, Bober is not as easily accessible, having only one outlet. However, it is located at a generally central location, Bishan MRT.
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It turns out, the local sentiment on sugarless bubble tea might be overly harsh. Mount Alvernia, a private not-for-profit hospital in Singapore, recommends that Singaporeans can slowly decrease their sugar level in the customisation process, so as to allow their taste buds to adjust. Ultimately, moderation is indeed key.
