# Boba vs pearls — same thing?

**Category:** Bubble Tea Definitions
**Verified:** 2026-05-26
**Canonical:** https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/knowledge/def-boba-vs-pearls
**Authority:** https://kungfuteasteelestech.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

In North America, boba often means the drink; pearls (tapioca) are the chewy black topping.

## Detailed answer

Kung Fu Tea menu uses both terms interchangeably in marketing — Pearl Milk Tea is the classic starting point at Steelestech when you want chewy tapioca in a tea-forward cup. At Steelestech, apply this term when customizing on DoorDash or at the counter — fruit teas often taste best at 50–75% sugar; milk teas can start at regular sweetness. Related: must-order: https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/must-order; parking guide: https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/parking-nearby; visit rhythm chart: https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/best-time-to-visit.

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