If you’re wondering, “Does taro have caffeine?” you aren’t alone. Many lovers of Taro milk tea wonder the same thing and rightly so. With so many varieties and flavors of tea out there, it can be hard to keep them all straight. So, does Taro have caffeine? I’ll answer that and more in today’s post.
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Table of Contents
- What Is Taro Milk Tea?
- What Is Taro Made Out Of?
- What Is Taro Milk Tea Made Of?
- Where Is Taro Tea From?
- Does Taro Boba Have Caffeine in It?
- Does Taro Root Have Caffeine?
- Does Taro Milk Tea Have Caffeine?
- Does Taro Bubble Tea Have Caffeine?
- Does Taro Powder Have Caffeine?
- Does Taro Smoothie Have Caffeine?
- Does Taro Latte Have Caffeine?
- Does Taro Milk Have Caffeine?
- How Much Caffeine Does Taro Milk Tea Have?
- How Much Caffeine Does Taro Milk Tea Have?
- How Much Caffeine Does Taro Ice Tea Have?
- Is Taro Drink Good for You?
- How To Make Taro Milk Tea
- Types of Taro Milk Tea
- Does Taro Have Caffeine? Usually, No!
- FAQs
What Is Taro Milk Tea?
Taro is a root vegetable with a similar flavor to potatoes. Fresh taro will have a whitish grey, almost purple hue to it, much of which is enhanced by artificial food coloring when you opt to buy taro powder instead of the real thing.
Taro milk tea is usually taro in powdered form mixed with jasmine tea, creamer, milk, or water. In addition, this powdered taro often contains a sweetener of some sort to give it additional flavor. Because of this, taro milk tea isn’t usually adjustable in terms of sweetness.
What Is Taro Made Out Of?
Taro tea can be made in many ways. Outside of combining powdered taro with milk or water, freshly made real taro milk tea is made from taro root, milk, jasmine tea, and sweetener if desired. Because the taro root can often be naturally sweet, you may find yourself not needing to add a ton of sugar to achieve the perfect flavor.
What Is Taro Milk Tea Made Of?
Remember that taro milk tea is made out of taro root, milk, sweetener, and sometimes creamer. However, this ingredient list may vary, depending on what kind of taro tea you’re drinking. In some cases, taro teas contain powders that only require milk or water, as the sweetener is already added to the powder.
To know for sure what your taro milk tea contains, be sure to check the label or ask the one serving it.
Where Is Taro Tea From?
Taro tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and quickly spread to become a famous tea all over the globe. It is known to be a type of “bubble tea” and is popular throughout the United States, Asia, and abroad. Today, many boba tea shops (with “boba” being another common name for bubble tea) feature taro milk tea. It is usually mixed with boba pearls, milk, sweeteners, and other ingredients to make wonderfully tasting bubble teas.
Note that some boba teas contain more caffeine than others, depending on the ingredients used.
Does Taro Boba Have Caffeine in It?
Though your typical taro tea won’t have any caffeine, there are some varieties that will.
As previously mentioned, taro tea usually often contains jasmine tea. And because jasmine tea is caffeine free (as is freshly cooked taro and taro in powdered form) you won’t have to worry about this particular tea drink giving you the jitters.
Having said that, there are some instances in which taro boba milk tea may be combined with black or green tea. In this case, your taro is likely to have caffeine. On average, your black and green teas will have 47mg or more in terms of caffeine content. For comparison’s sake, this is about half of the caffeine content you can expect from one cup of coffee.
Still, your average taro tea blended with green or black tea will only contain a portion of black or green tea which means the caffeine level may be less than if you drink these straight.
Does Taro Root Have Caffeine?
No, natural taro root does not naturally have caffeine.
Does Taro Milk Tea Have Caffeine?
Taro milk tea does not usually have caffeine. However, this does not mean that all taro teas won’t have any. When taro is combined with other drinks that contain caffeine (such as green or black tea) you can expect the drink to have a caffeine content of 47 mg or higher.
Does Taro Bubble Tea Have Caffeine?
No, taro bubble tea doesn’t usually have caffeine. But depending on the ingredients in this bubble tea favorite, you may find a bit of caffeine lurking in certain taro tea types.
Does Taro Powder Have Caffeine?
No, taro powder doesn’t typically have caffeine. In fact, taro milk tea is usually gluten-free and caffeine-free. Still, it is always best to check the label to make sure.
Does Taro Smoothie Have Caffeine?
Taro smoothies don’t normally have caffeine. The only way they would is if the one making the drink were to put something caffeinated in it (such as green or black tea leaves).
Does Taro Latte Have Caffeine?
A taro latte may or may not have caffeine. If any coffee or caffeinated teas were added, then you can expect your taro milk tea to have some caffeine. If not, then your taro latte isn’t likely to be caffeinated.
Does Taro Milk Have Caffeine?
No, taro milk does not have caffeine. That is, unless it has black or green tea added to it. Then, you might expect your taro milk tea to have a little caffeine in it.

How Much Caffeine Does Taro Milk Tea Have?
Taro boba milk tea will likely have 0mg of caffeine. If combined with a caffeinated black or green tea, however, the taro milk tea may have as much as 47 mg or more in each cup.
How Much Caffeine Does Taro Milk Tea Have?
Taro milk tea doesn’t usually have caffeine unless it is combined with green tea or black tea.
How Much Caffeine Does Taro Ice Tea Have?
Taro iced tea isn’t likely to have caffeine unless it is blended with black tea, green tea, or another tea with caffeine.
Taro ice milk tea isn’t likely to have caffeine. Still, you may encounter a Taro boba tea that has black or green tea in it. In this case, you may expect your taro to have about half the amount of caffeine in it as a cup of coffee. The exact amount will vary depending on who is making it, the ingredients, and the size of the drink.
Is Taro Drink Good for You?
Yes, taro drink can be good for you. This is because taro root vegetables are already packed with Vitamin C, healthy carbohydrates, and other health benefits.
Among the many advantages of consuming taro drinks include:
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin E
- Dietary fiber
- Reduction in weight
- Maintaining proper digestion
Though the benefits of consuming taro and taro-containing drinks are many, there are some aspects of consuming the drink you should be aware of. For example, there are some taro teas, or taro powders, that don’t contain any taro at all. These typically have added coloring and flavors that mimic the taro tea taste, without any of the added benefits that drinking fresh taro tea would bring.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure to only consume taro teas that are heavily sweetened on occasion. Drinking too much of this can lead to weight gain, an increased risk for diabetes, and other unsavory health effects.
How To Make Taro Milk Tea
Everyone makes taro tea a little differently depending on what they are using. If you want to make it from fresh taro rather than powdered, check out the video below to learn exactly what you should do!
Types of Taro Milk Tea
Taro milk tea has a flavor all its own. Many describe it as slightly vanilla, with similar tastes to that of purple yam. Along with this, taro milk tea is sometimes combined with black or green tea making its flavor a bit sharper and more complex, but still utterly delicious.
Of course, adding green or black tea is going to cause the caffeine content of taro tea to fluctuate radically. If you’re very concerned, be sure to ask whoever is serving the tea for the caffeine content or ingredients list, in order to determine just how much caffeine is in your taro drink.

Does Taro Have Caffeine? Usually, No!
In your typical taro milk tea, you shouldn’t expect there to be much if any caffeine in it. Remember that taro itself is caffeine-free, and these cute little drinks with floating tapioca pearls in them usually only contain caffeine if black or green tea is added.
I hope this helps answer the question, “Does taro have caffeine?” Until next time!
FAQs
Which milk tea has no caffeine?
Taro milk tea doesn’t have caffeine. Rooibos or “red” teas would also be a great caffeine-free boba milk tea selection.
Does milk tea have caffeine?
It can. It usually just depends on the ingredients used.
Does boba have caffeine?
If the boba contains tea with caffeine in it, then yes, it may have caffeine.
Is taro milk tea good for you?
It can be! But you’ll want to make sure there is actually taro in it and that it isn’t heavily sweetened for it to be considered truly healthy.
Does taro milk tea have caffeine?
Taro milk tea only has caffeine if it’s made from caffeinated ingredients (like black tea). Otherwise, it should be caffeine-free.
Does taro root have caffeine?
No, taro root does not have caffeine.
FAQs
Does taro boba milk tea have caffeine? ›
Does taro boba have caffeine? Taro boba tea does not have caffeine when made with plain taro milk, because taro root itself doesn't contain any caffeine. But, a true taro milk tea that's made with green tea or jasmine tea does have caffeine.
Does taro powder have caffeine? ›This caffeine-free, lactose-free powder is made with taro root, a popular ingredient in Southeast Asian, Indian, and Hawaiian cuisine. The root has a starchy, nutty flavor and a vividly purple color.
Which boba tea is caffeine free? ›Bubble teas using chamomile, ginger, or peppermint don't contain any caffeine.
Which boba has the most caffeine? ›Black Tea. The most popular type of tea used in bubble tea cafes is black tea, which is the most oxidized form and so the most caffeinated.
Does taro milk tea have a lot of caffeine? ›There's nothing to worry about the caffeine content in a cup of taro bubble tea. Every 16-ounce serving delivers a minimum of 25 milligrams of caffeine. The max usually measures about 48 mg, but this can vary based on the type of tea you use in it.
Is there caffeine in Taro tea? ›Fresh taro does not naturally contain caffeine. So, unless your drink has a true type of tea like green or black tea added in, taro milk tea caffeine content is non-existent.
Can I drink taro boba while pregnant? ›Whether in boba tea, used interchangeably with potatoes, or added to sweet desserts, taro is a popular starchy vegetable many enjoy. So naturally, you may wonder how to safely consume taro while pregnant – or if it's safe at all. Overall, taro root, powder, and boba are safe to consume during pregnancy.
Does taro make you sleepy? ›Taro plant root enables the athletes in keeping the energy level high for a longer time. Taro root also has the right amount of carbohydrate that boosts energy and reduces fatigue.
Does taro give you energy? ›Taro root (corm or tuber) is an excellent source of energy, which the body needs to stay active. It also provides fiber, which is needed to make the intestines and bowels work properly. Cooking kalo is a slow food.
Is boba tea high in caffeine? ›They are also at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes," says the AAP. What's more, research from Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety found a serving of "Taiwanese style milk tea" has an average of 130 mg of caffeine per serving—not much less than the 200 mg of caffeine typically found in a serving of coffee.
Will boba keep me awake? ›
Apart from caffeine, boba tea contains simple carbohydrate sugar that the body breaks down and converts to energy. This means boba tea can provide temporary energy to keep you boosted all day.
Does boba keep you awake? ›Provides You With Energy
Due to the caffeine content found in bubble tea, it is the perfect way to get a burst of energy whilst drinking. This energy boost derived from caffeine is said to give a much-needed boost of energy making you stay awake for longer, making it perfect for those cold and dark winter mornings.
The amount of caffeine in milk tea is dependent on the type of tea used in the drink, which often is a type of black tea. Per 8-ounce cup, chai tea ranges from 60 to 120 milligrams of caffeine, while Assam black tea comes in at 80 milligrams and Darjeeling tea at 50 milligrams.
Does boba have more caffeine than coffee? ›For example, a cup of black tea typically has 40–50 mg of caffeine, a cup of green or jasmine tea 20–30 mg, and a cup of oolong 25–35 mg. In contrast, a typical cup of coffee has between 80 and 110 milligrams of caffeine.
Is Taro Boba good for you? ›Benefits of Taro and Taro Bubble Tea
Containing a significant amount of dietary fibre, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, E, B6, folate, magnesium, iron, and more, taro is a fantastic supplement to vitamins and minerals that modern diets lack.
In Conclusion. Taro milk tea is a delicious and refreshing drink that has several potential health benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants, may help to lower blood sugar levels, may support weight loss, may promote healthy digestion, and other benefits.
Which tea has least caffeine? ›White Tea. This type of tea has the least amount of caffeine out of all teas with only 15 to 30 milligrams per eight ounce serving. White tea is known to be one of the most delicate tea varieties because it is the least processed.
What is taro milk tea made of? ›Taro milk tea (more specifically taro bubble tea) is a type of Taiwanese bubble tea made from a combination of taro root, milk, jasmine tea, and tapioca pearls.
Is there caffeine in taro latte? ›Taro lattes are caffeine-free, chock-full of nutrients, and obviously GORGEOUS.
Is taro milk tea real taro? ›Milk tea is also commonly combined with boba, a starchy edible pearl made with tapioca, to make boba tea or “bubble tea.” The nutty, light sweetness of taro is the perfect complement to the creamy drink. Taro milk tea is made by adding taro root (either ground or in an instant taro powder form) to the milk tea base.
What flavor is taro in boba? ›
In boba or taro ice cream, taro has a vanilla-like taste. But the root itself is mild and quite bland. What does taro taste like? Taro has a very mild nutty taste.
How does taro taste like boba? ›To some people, taro boba resembles a mild chocolate flavour. To others, it reminds them of caramel, coconut, or vanilla. Others describe it as nutty, milky, creamy, or buttery.
Does boba increase blood pressure? ›Helps Lower Blood Pressure Levels
Studies claim that boba tea's green base is very beneficial for lowering your blood pressure levels.
The vegetable contains a bitter-tasting compound called calcium oxalate. This can cause an itchy mouth and throat if consumed raw but is safe to eat when cooked. Choose a taro root based on what you want to use it for.
How healthy is taro? ›Taro is also an excellent source of fiber and resistant starch, which account for many of its health benefits, such as improved heart health, blood sugar levels, body weight and gut health. Taro also contains a variety of antioxidants and polyphenols that protect against free radical damage and potentially cancer.
Does taro spike blood sugar? ›Taro is one of the foods that contain a large amount of starch. Taro has a glycemic index of 58. This number increases as the potatoes are cooked. Therefore, eating taro can increase blood sugar in diabetics, directly affecting health as well as disease status.
Does taro make you stronger? ›It has shown to improve gait speed, grip strength, and bodyweight exercises. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is a known aid to muscle fatigue. Taro is also a good source of carbohydrates that severely help the rebuilding of muscle fibers after a period of strenuous activity.
Why is taro purple? ›Taro - Color, Texture, and Flavor
In fact, taro is not really purple, as people would imagine. Taro has brown-greyish skin with mostly white flesh. When first harvested, it has a light lavender color visible as tiny dots in the white flesh. However, when the root is processed, it gets a light purple color.
03/6Taro root or arbi
It is prepared dry as well as with curry. The vegetable is tasty and goes well with dal but people suffering from gastric issues should not consume it, as it can cause bloatedness. If you like it too much, you can put some ajwain while preparing, which will not cause gas.
What's the best flavor of bubble tea for kids? Any fruit flavored boba teas are the best for kids. This includes strawberry boba tea, mango, peach and dragon fruit. If they're not into fruit, then brown sugar or salted caramel are also great boba tea flavors for children!
Will milk tea keep me awake? ›
Insomnia
Like in coffee, tea, specifically black tea, which is what is used to brew milk tea is rich in caffeine. When your body is overloaded with caffeine, especially in the second half of the day, it can cause sleep disorders like insomnia.
The amount of sugar you drink along with your boba tea can pose potential risks. Consuming high levels of sugar has been linked to serious health complications like obesity, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cognitive decline, and some forms of cancer.
Can your body digest boba? ›Bubble tea balls are easily digestible for most people
Since tapioca comes from the starch-based cassava root, it's mainly filled with carbohydrates, according to Healthline. Starches like cassava function similarly to fiber in the body, and healthy people can digest them with no problems, Dr. de Latour said.
Doctors Say Large Amounts Of Tapioca Starch Can Be Hard To Digest. SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Can you have too much boba? For one 14-year-old in China, the answer is yes. She had to be hospitalized after more than 100 tapioca balls were found stuck in her stomach.
Why is boba so addictive? ›But if you love drinking bubble tea, you are actually addicted to its sugar. Did you know? Sugar is as addictive as cocaine! However, it is widely used as a 'legal drug' worldwide, as it causes addiction in the brain.
Is boba OK overnight? ›Providing your bubble tea has been refrigerated overnight then yes - you can drink bubble tea the next day. However keep in mind that your bubble tea should be consumed within 24 hours of being refrigerated and if it contains dairy, may not keep as well.
How much is too much boba? ›"One to two cups a day should be fine, but you shouldn't consume anything in excess," advised Dr. Kushnir. "If you're drinking five or six cups a day, and you're noticing a change in your bowels, it could be a sign that you need to cut back or drink more water."
Can you get milk tea without caffeine? ›You can enjoy milk "tea" without caffeine! For those who prefer caffeine-free drinks or wish to drink later in the day, rooibos can be a tasty substitute for making milk tea. Try our fruity and non-caffeine rooibos teas PICCOLO and MAHINA with a bit of milk, popular choices for children and adults.
Which tea is high in caffeine? ›In general, black and pu-erh teas have the highest amount of caffeine, followed by oolong teas, green teas, white teas, and purple teas. However, because the caffeine content of a brewed cup of tea depends on many different factors, even teas within the same broad categories may have different caffeine levels.
How strong is milk tea caffeine? ›How much caffeine is in an average cup of black tea with milk? An average cup of black tea with milk contains around 47mg of caffeine.
How much caffeine is too much? ›
Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks.
How much caffeine is in a bubble? ›Each can has only 5 calories. ANTIOXIDANT INFUSED: BUBBL'R is low glycemic, gluten free, soy free, and vegan, in addition to being packed with antioxidants and great flavor. CAFFEINE: 69 mg of caffeine in each can, naturally derived from guarana seed extract.
What is the tastiest boba tea? ›- Strawberry. Strawberry bubble tea is a favorite among kids and adults alike. ...
- Mango. Mangos are rich in Vitamin C, fiber, iron, and potassium. ...
- Chocolate. ...
- Vanilla Bean. ...
- Lemon. ...
- Apple. ...
- Matcha. ...
- Coffee.
The recommended daily added sugar intake should be no more than 10 percent of calories consumed while the Boba tea with tapioca and milk already contains 38 grams of sugar which is way higher than the recommended. This predisposes one to obesity, heart conditions and diabetes.
Does taro milk tea contain tea? ›Taro milk tea (more specifically taro bubble tea) is a type of Taiwanese bubble tea made from a combination of taro root, milk, jasmine tea, and tapioca pearls.
Does taro milk tea actually have tea in it? ›Fresh milk tea is made from only two ingredients: the root vegetable and milk. This is called 芋頭鮮奶 (Yùtou xiān nǎi) in Chinese which translates to 'Taro Fresh Milk'. Despite some boba shops calling it a 'tea', there is no tea inside this drink. Therefore, it is caffeine-free.
Does all boba tea have caffeine? ›Most bubble tea has caffeine, because it is made with tea that contains caffeine, like black or green tea. Some places may have decaf bubble tea, but it is not very common.
Is taro milk tea healthy? ›Taro milk tea is a delicious and refreshing drink that has several potential health benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants, may help to lower blood sugar levels, may support weight loss, may promote healthy digestion, and other benefits.
Is Taro boba milk tea healthy? ›Containing a significant amount of dietary fibre, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, E, B6, folate, magnesium, iron, and more, taro is a fantastic supplement to vitamins and minerals that modern diets lack.
What is taro made of? ›Taro (/ˈtɑːroʊ, ˈtæroʊ/) (Colocasia esculenta) is a root vegetable. It is the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the family Araceae that are used as vegetables for their corms, leaves, and petioles. Taro corms are a food staple in African, Oceanic, and South Asian cultures (similar to yams).
Why is taro milk tea purple? ›
Taro is an off-white color. There's a lot of confusion over the actual color of taro milk tea because Boba tea shops add purple yam to taro milk tea for its sweetness and pop of color. Ube (Dioscorea alata) is a purple yam that grows all over the world. It is a popular item among Asian cultures.
Can kids have boba? ›The short answer is yes. Bubble tea is safe for consumption if enjoyed in moderation, so an occasional cup is fine for kids and teens.
Why does Taro Boba taste like? ›Taro root has a light, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor that goes well with the milk, sugar, and black tea used to make milk tea. The taste is comparable to sweet potato but with a lighter flavor profile and subtle vanilla undertones.