Unless you‘ve been living under a rock, you‘ve probably heard about the boba (aka bubble tea) craze that has taken the world by storm in recent years. These delightfully chewy tapioca pearls, served in tea or other sweet drinks, originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and have since spread to cafes across the globe. Boba‘s popularity shows no signs of slowing down, with the global bubble tea market projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.09% from 2022 to 2027 according to industry research.
Seeing this trend, many major U.S. chains have hopped on the boba bandwagon, including coffee giant Dunkin‘. In summer 2021, Dunkin‘ launched "Popping Bubbles" as a new addition to their menu, available at participating locations. These small juice-filled spheres in strawberry and mango flavors could be added to any of Dunkin‘s iced or frozen drinks for an additional charge. But now that the initial hype has died down, many Dunkin‘ fans are wondering: does Dunkin‘ still have boba in 2023? I‘ve investigating this pressing question, and I‘m here to spill the (boba-filled) tea!
Dunkin‘s Current Boba Availability
I have good news for all you boba lovers out there: as of June 2023, Popping Bubbles are still available at participating Dunkin‘ locations nationwide! After a successful trial run in summer 2021, it seems the powers that be at Dunkin‘ decided these colorful little spheres were popular enough to keep around. Dunkin‘ doesn‘t currently have any plans to discontinue the Popping Bubbles.
However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. Since the Popping Bubbles are considered a "regional menu item," not every single Dunkin‘ location carries them. Boba availability may vary depending on your region and the discretion of individual franchisees. Additionally, Popping Bubbles are not a permanent menu fixture and could potentially be phased out in the future if demand drops or Dunkin‘ decides to focus on other offerings.
Your best bet is to check with your local Dunkin‘ store directly to confirm they have Popping Bubbles in stock. You can do this by calling the store, checking the location‘s page on the Dunkin‘ app or website to view the menu, or simply popping in and asking an employee. Don‘t just assume every Dunkin‘ you walk into will have boba available!
Types of Boba at Dunkin‘
Now that we‘ve established you can still get your boba fix at many Dunkin‘ locations, let‘s dive into the specifics of Dunkin‘s Popping Bubbles. Unlike traditional tapioca pearl boba, which has a dark appearance and chewy texture, Dunkin‘s Popping Bubbles are colorful juice-filled spheres that burst when bitten into.
Dunkin‘ currently offers two flavors of Popping Bubbles: Strawberry and Mango Passion Fruit. The Strawberry bubbles have a bright pink hue, while the Mango Passion Fruit variety are a sunny orange color. Both have a thin, gelatinous outer layer that pops to release a rush of sweet fruit juice when pierced. They definitely deliver the interactive element that makes boba so fun to eat!
It‘s worth noting that Dunkin‘ doesn‘t make any sugar-free or unsweetened versions of the Popping Bubbles. Since they are filled with fruit juice, they definitely veer more towards the dessert end of the beverage spectrum. If you‘re watching your sugar intake, you may want to think twice before adding these to your daily coffee order.
One major difference between Dunkin‘s boba and what you‘d find at most dedicated boba shops is the lack of tapioca pearls. Dunkin‘ elected to go with the juice-filled spheres instead of traditional boba, likely because they are easier to store and less time-consuming to prepare. While some boba purists may balk at this choice, the Popping Bubbles still provide a unique drinking experience and burst of fruity flavor.
Best Dunkin‘ Drinks to Pair with Boba
Half the fun of boba is slurping up the spheres through an extra-wide straw and chewing on them as you sip your drink. Luckily, Dunkin‘ serves their Popping Bubbles with special wide-diameter straws to accommodate the bubbles and prevent the dreaded clogged straw scenario. But which Dunkin‘ beverages pair best with a helping of boba?
According to Dunkin‘, their Popping Bubbles can be added to any iced or frozen beverage for an additional charge of around 50-70 cents. Some of the most popular drinks to get the boba treatment include:
- Dunkin‘ Refreshers (Strawberry Dragonfruit flavored Refresher with Strawberry Popping Bubbles is a fan favorite)
- Iced green tea (try it with Mango Passion Fruit bubbles for a tropical twist)
- Frozen lemonades and iced lemonade (the tartness of the lemonade nicely offsets the sweetness of the boba)
- Iced lattes and cold brews (if you want to add a fun pop of texture and flavor to your regular coffee order)
In my experience, the fruity and tropical flavored drinks tend to work best with the Popping Bubbles. Strawberry pairs well with other berry flavors, while Mango Passion Fruit is a great complement to citrusy or coconut drinks. I‘d steer clear of adding boba to hot drinks, as it can cause the delicate bubbles to dissolve and impact the texture. Ultimately, I encourage you to experiment with different flavor combos to find your ideal boba beverage!
Consumer Reviews of Dunkin‘ Boba
Of course, the true test of any new menu item is how it‘s received by customers. Overall, the response to Dunkin‘s Popping Bubbles seems to be largely positive, with many praising the fun sensory experience they provide. Fans love that they can now get their boba fix at the same place they grab their morning coffee.
However, reception hasn‘t been universally glowing. Some more traditional boba enthusiasts have critiqued Dunkin‘ for not using real tapioca pearls and argue that the Popping Bubbles are more of a gimmicky imitation than true boba. Others think the juice flavor of the spheres is too artificial tasting and overly sweet.
Personally, I don‘t think it‘s entirely fair to compare Dunkin‘s boba to what you‘d get at an established boba shop that specializes in the drink. Are Popping Bubbles the most authentic boba experience out there? No, probably not. But they‘re a fun way to jazz up your regular Dunkin‘ order and are certainly more convenient than making a separate stop during your morning commute.
Most of the negative reviews I‘ve seen seem to take more of an issue with boba newbies raving about Dunkin‘s version without trying "real" boba. But I don‘t think enjoying Popping Bubbles precludes you from being a boba connoisseur. There‘s room for both the traditional boba shops and casual fast-food versions to coexist in the market. Let people enjoy things!
Boba Wars: How Dunkin‘ Compares to Competitors
Dunkin‘ is far from the only major U.S. chain to dabble in the world of boba. Starbucks, the biggest name in the coffee game, first tested boba in select markets in 2015 but didn‘t roll it out nationwide. It wasn‘t until summer 2022 that they launched an official Iced Chai Tea Latte with Coffee Pearls, made with actual tapioca pearls soaked in coffee.
Other smaller chains like Kung Fu Tea, Gong Cha, and Boba Guys specialize exclusively in bubble tea and have found success expanding across the country. These dedicated boba shops tend to use traditional ingredients and preparation methods, and offer a much wider array of flavor and topping options than bigger brands like Dunkin‘.
That said, I don‘t really see Dunkin‘ as being in direct competition with boba shops, as they seem to be targeting a different audience. Boba stores cater to those seeking an authentic Taiwanese bubble tea experience, while Dunkin‘ is aiming more for the average joe looking to shake up their usual order with a fun new add-on. Dunkin‘s Popping Bubbles are boba-lite for the masses.
Starbucks may be more of a direct rival to Dunkin‘ in the boba space, as they are also a coffee-focused chain experimenting with boba to attract younger customers. It will be interesting to see if Starbucks expands their coffee pearl drink nationwide and how that might impact Dunkin‘s boba strategy going forward.
Analyzing the Boba Trend
So why exactly did Dunkin‘ decide to hop on the boba bandwagon in the first place? Two words: TikTok teens. Boba has been popular in Asia and Asian American communities for decades, but only recently made the jump to the mainstream U.S. market. This shift was largely driven by social media, with boba content racking up millions of views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
For Dunkin‘, adding boba to the menu was a savvy business move to capitalize on a rising trend and attract the coveted Gen Z demographic. Younger consumers tend to be more open to international flavors and interactive food experiences, both boxes that boba handily ticks. By offering Popping Bubbles, Dunkin‘ is able to keep pace with its competitors and show that it‘s hip with the kids.
The timing of Dunkin‘s boba launch, in summer 2021 as many pandemic restrictions were lifting, was also strategic. After a year-plus of lockdowns, consumers were eager to get out and treat themselves to the little joys again, boba included. The bright colors and whimsical nature of Popping Bubbles provided a much-needed sense of fun after a rather bleak period.
While boba may seem like just another passing fad, I believe it has real staying power. Much like sushi or sriracha, boba has made the leap from niche ethnic offering to beloved part of the American culinary landscape. The boba shop market is expected to grow exponentially in the next 5-7 years as it expands beyond major coastal cities. Chains that don‘t adapt risk being left in the dust.
Future Outlook for Dunkin‘ Boba
It seems like the Popping Bubbles are here to stay at Dunkin‘, at least for the foreseeable future. While they may have started as a limited-time novelty, customer demand has turned them into a semi-permanent fixture. Dunkin‘ has continued to feature the boba add-on prominently across its social media channels and in seasonal promotions, suggesting they still see it as a valuable offering.
However, I wouldn‘t be shocked if Dunkin‘ updates or expands their boba options in the coming years to keep things fresh. Perhaps they‘ll play around with new popping bubble flavors to tie into holidays or capitalize on other flavor trends. A caramel apple boba for fall or chocolate boba for Valentine‘s Day doesn‘t seem outside the realm of possibility.
They could also potentially explore using actual tapioca pearls in addition to the juice spheres to cater to a wider range of boba lovers. Starbucks rolling out coffee popping pearls may put the pressure on Dunkin‘ to up their boba game to stay competitive. Only time will tell!
At the end of the day, I think it‘s safe to say that boba, in some form or another, is here to stay at Dunkin‘. While the Popping Bubbles may not convert die-hard boba shop loyalists, they‘re a fun way for casual Dunkin‘ fans to dip their toes into the world of boba. If you‘re looking for a sweet, colorful, interactive treat to shake up your coffee routine, give Dunkin‘s boba a try! And if you‘re already a bubble tea obsessive, consider this your sign to spread the boba gospel to all your skeptical friends. Sharing is caring, after all.
