Rainbow jelly is made of small coconut pieces and is used as a bubble tea topping. Each coconut jelly is individually fruit-flavored. Since coconut meat forms the base of rainbow jelly, each flavor has a subtle coconut flavor in addition to the added fruit flavor.
What Is Rainbow Bubble Tea Jelly Made From?
Rainbow jelly is made from coconut meat. Sometimes thickeners like konjac or agar are added for stability. Each color has a different fruit taste, with an undertone of coconut. Typically, the colors suggest the flavor; for example, yellow tastes like pineapple, and pink tastes like strawberry.
The point of rainbow coconut jellies is to experience several fruity tastes and colors all at once. Most tea shops sell single-flavor jelly, like lychee jelly or coffee jelly, but rainbow jelly mixes fruit flavors and colors together. The exact flavors of rainbow jelly depend on the mix of fruit flavorings.
Not every boba tea shop offers the same combination of colors and flavors. A red jelly may be apple flavored at one cafe and watermelon flavored at the next.
Is Rainbow Jelly Sweet?
Rainbow jelly is It is sweetened with fructose and is subtly sweet. It tastes mainly of coconut and a fruit flavor, so it is not as overly sweet as other milk tea toppings. Rainbow jelly gets most of its taste from the fruit syrup used to make it, which contains some natural sugars.
On the other hand, tapioca pearls are cooked and then steeped in brown sugar syrup, making them extremely sweet. Another popular topping, grass jelly, is the least sweet of the bunch. It is minty and bitter.
What Is the Nutritional Value of Rainbow Jelly?
Myfitnesspal lists the nutritional value of 1 cup of rainbow jellies at
| Nutrition | Amount |
| Calories | 134 |
| Carbs | 33 g |
| Sugar | 29.4 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 4 mg |
Rainbow jellies are lower in calories than other bubble tea toppings and are vegan and dairy-free. They are not a significant source of any vitamins or minerals.
Can You Put Rainbow Jelly Topping in Hot Boba Tea?
Rainbow jelly may melt if you add it to hot boba. Boba tea is usually served cold— the hot brewed tea is cooled before the milk tea drink is assembled. Most bubble teas call for plenty of ice, making the drink cool and refreshing.
If you enjoy hot boba, consider using tapioca pearls, sweetened red beans, or fresh fruits as toppings. Rainbow jelly works best on top of cold treats.
What Are the Flavors of Rainbow Jelly?
Common flavors of rainbow jelly are:
- Coconut
- Lychee
- Mango
- Passion Fruit
- Pineapple
- Strawberry
These flavors make great additions to milk or fruit-based bubble teas.
Rainbow Jelly vs. Popping Boba
| Rainbow Jelly | Popping Boba |
| Made from coconut meat | Made from seaweed extract |
| Chewy | Bursts in your mouth |
| Soaked in fruit juice | Filled with fruit juice |
4 Other Ways to Enjoy Rainbow Jelly
While rainbow jelly is delicious in bubble milk tea, you can also use it to garnish many other beverages and desserts. A few creative ways to use it include:
Frozen yogurt—top your favorite flavor with some color and sweet fruitiness.
Ice Cream—boba pearls are a great way to top ice cream, but next time try a handful of rainbow jelly for a burst of flavor.
Smoothies—top your favorite smoothie with a handful of color and fruit flavor.
Snow ice—a popular dessert from Taiwan made from shaved ice and fruit syrup; adding rainbow jellies gives it a sweeter, more intense fruity taste.