16-ounces of mango bubble tea from your local bubble tea shop has around 552 calories. The calorie count and nutrition information vary depending on the exact ingredients, such as sugar, milk, and toppings.
Ingredients in Mango Bubble Tea
Mango bubble tea usually includes:
Tea: Green tea is standard, but black tea, fruit tea, or herbal tea are also possibilities.
Tapioca pearls: The signature bubble tea topping is made from cassava root starch. These tapioca balls are high in carbs and are often steeped in brown sugar syrup.
Mango: Mango forms the base of this bubble tea. Recipes call for mango juice, nectar, fresh mango, or frozen mango.
Milk: Bubble tea traditionally uses dairy milk or creamer. Many bubble teas are now made with dairy-free milk, reducing the added sugar and calories.
Sweetener: Brown sugar is the most common sweetener, but sometimes mango bubble tea has white sugar or honey.
Ice cubes: Most mango bubble teas are served cold.
How Many Calories Are in Mango Bubble Tea Without Milk?
Mango bubble tea is usually made with milk, however, dairy-free versions are possible. Without milk, you can expect approximately 469 kcals per 16 ounces. Here’s how it adds up:
| Ingredient | Calories |
| One cup of mango | 99 |
| 1/2 cup of tapioca pearls | 272 |
| Two tbsp of brown sugar | 96 |
| Green tea | 2 |
Adding an unsweetened half cup of milk will increase the calories in your mango bubble tea by:
| Dairy | Calories |
| Almond milk | 20 |
| Coconut milk | 25 |
| Soy milk | 40 |
| Oat milk | 65 |
| Whole milk | 75 |
| Half and half | 157 |
Is Boba Tea Good for Weight Loss?
Boba tea is not ideal for weight loss. As you can see, the green tea base is very low in calories. However, adding sugars, milk, and toppings raises the calorie count quickly. The ingredient that will impede weight loss most significantly is tapioca pearls.
Tapioca pearls consist of starchy carbs. A half cup of tapioca pearls is included in most bubble teas and has 272 calories and 52 grams of carbs. It is high on the glycemic index, which means it causes a spike in blood sugar.
Tapioca is commonly used in Asia, Africa, and India to support those who need to gain weight. Most tapioca pearls are steeped in brown sugar syrup, adding 100-200 additional calories to bubble tea.
Does Mango Bubble Tea Have Any Health Benefits?
The ingredients in mango bubble tea do have health benefits. Green tea contains antioxidants that can help reduce cholesterol and improve blood pressure. Green tea has also been shown to be anti-inflammatory and may have cancer-fighting properties.
One cup of mango provides 67% of the daily value of Vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to aid in iron absorption and building immunity. Mango also offers a good source of magnesium and potassium, which helps maintain good blood flow in the body.
Tapioca pearls are low in cholesterol and saturated fat. They are also a good source of iron and calcium.
While these components of mango bubble tea can have health benefits, adding too much sugar to your mango bubble tea will undoubtedly work against you. Ordering mango bubble tea with less sugar or making a low-sugar version at home will make your mango bubble tea as healthy as possible.
Does Mango Bubble Tea Always Come With Tapioca Pearls?
Mango bubble tea traditionally comes with boba pearls, but most tea shops have alternative topping options. Some choices include:
| Topping | Calories |
| Grass jelly | 50-70 |
| Popping boba | 60-70 |
| Coconut jelly | 120-150 |
| Passion jelly | 150-190 |
| Sweetened red beans | 150-200 |
Can You Make Mango Bubble Tea at Home?
You can make a delicious mango milk tea using the ingredients above and this recipe. If you choose to include tapioca pearls or popping boba, you can find them at your local Asian store or from online retailers.