Milkshake vs. Boba — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Milkshake is a blended drink made from milk, ice cream, and flavorings, while boba (bubble tea) is a tea-based drink with chewy tapioca pearls, often mixed with milk or fruit.
Difference Between Milkshake and Boba
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Milkshake is a creamy, sweet beverage made by blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings like chocolate, vanilla, or fruit. This popular drink is typically served cold and has a thick, smooth texture. Boba, also known as bubble tea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that includes chewy tapioca pearls (boba) and is often mixed with milk or fruit flavors. Unlike milkshakes, boba drinks can be served either hot or cold and offer a unique textural experience due to the tapioca pearls.
Milkshakes focus on a rich, creamy texture derived from dairy ingredients. The basic components are milk and ice cream, but variations can include additional ingredients like syrups, fruit, or malt. On the other hand, boba tea combines tea (often black or green) with milk or fruit, and the distinctive tapioca pearls provide a chewy contrast.
While milkshakes are predominantly found in Western cultures and associated with fast-food restaurants, diners, and ice cream parlors, boba originated in Taiwan and has become popular worldwide, especially among younger generations. Boba shops offer a variety of flavors and customizations, including different types of teas, milk alternatives, and additional toppings like jelly or fruit bits.
Milkshakes are typically consumed with a straw or spoon due to their thick consistency. Boba, however, is usually enjoyed with an oversized straw to allow the tapioca pearls to be sipped along with the drink, providing a unique combination of drinking and chewing.
Comparison Chart
Primary Ingredients
Milk, ice cream, flavorings
Tea, milk or fruit, tapioca pearls
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin
Western cultures
Taiwan
Texture
Thick, creamy
Liquid with chewy pearls
Temperature
Typically cold
Hot or cold
Consumption Method
Straw or spoon
Oversized straw
Popular Variations
Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry
Milk tea, fruit tea, matcha
Compare with Definitions
Milkshake
A blended drink made with milk and ice cream.
The chocolate milkshake was rich and creamy.
Boba
Can be made with various teas and flavors.
She tried the matcha boba for a unique taste.
Milkshake
Often includes flavorings such as syrups or fruit.
She added strawberry syrup to her milkshake.
Boba
Served either hot or cold, often with milk or fruit.
The cold boba tea was refreshing on a hot day.
Milkshake
Served cold and thick in consistency.
The milkshake was so thick it needed a spoon.
Boba
A tea-based drink with chewy tapioca pearls.
The boba tea had a delicious blend of milk tea and chewy pearls.
Milkshake
Commonly found in fast-food restaurants and diners.
They ordered milkshakes at the 1950s-themed diner.
Boba
Typically consumed with an oversized straw to sip the tapioca pearls.
The oversized straw allowed her to enjoy both the drink and the boba pearls.
Milkshake
Can be customized with additional ingredients like malt or whipped cream.
He loved his milkshake with extra malt.
Boba
Originated in Taiwan and is popular worldwide.
Boba shops are popular hangout spots for young people.
Milkshake
A milkshake (sometimes simply called a shake) is a sweet drink made by blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings or sweeteners such as butterscotch, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, fruit syrup, or whole fruit into a thick, sweet, cold mixture. It may also be made using a base made from non-dairy products, including plant milks such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
Boba
Syn of tapioca pearl.
Milkshake
A cold drink made of milk, a sweet flavouring such as fruit or chocolate, and typically ice cream, whisked until it is frothy.
Milkshake
A beverage that is made of milk, ice cream, and often flavoring and is blended or whipped until foamy. Also called shake; also called regionally cabinet, frappe, velvet.
Milkshake
New England A beverage made of milk and flavored syrup, whipped until foamy.
Milkshake
A thick beverage consisting of milk and ice cream mixed together, often with fruit, chocolate, or other flavoring.
Milkshake
A thin beverage, similar to the above, but with no ice cream or significantly less of it.
Milkshake
A beverage consisting of fruit juice, water, and some milk, as served in Southeast Asia.
Milkshake
Accidental emulsion of oil and water in an engine.
This milkshake under the oil cap, or on the dipstick, indicates a blown head gasket.
Milkshake
An alkaline supplement administered to a horse to improve its racing performance.
Milkshake
To administer an alkaline supplement to (a horse) to improve its racing performance.
Milkshake
To throw a milkshake at (a person).
A politician was milkshaked during the protest.
Milkshake
A frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream, shaken together or blended in a blender.
Milkshake
Frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream
Common Curiosities
What is a milkshake?
A milkshake is a blended, creamy drink made from milk, ice cream, and flavorings.
What are the primary ingredients in a milkshake?
The primary ingredients are milk, ice cream, and flavorings.
How is a milkshake made?
Milkshakes are made by blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings like chocolate or fruit.
How is boba made?
Boba is made by combining tea with milk or fruit flavors and adding tapioca pearls.
What are the primary ingredients in boba?
The primary ingredients are tea, milk or fruit, and tapioca pearls.
What texture does a milkshake have?
Milkshakes have a thick, creamy texture.
Where did boba originate?
Boba originated in Taiwan.
What is boba?
Boba, or bubble tea, is a tea-based drink with chewy tapioca pearls, often mixed with milk or fruit.
Can boba be customized?
Yes, boba can be customized with various teas, milk alternatives, flavors, and toppings like jelly.
Can milkshakes be customized?
Yes, milkshakes can be customized with different flavors, syrups, and additional ingredients like malt.
Are milkshakes typically served hot or cold?
Milkshakes are typically served cold.
Are boba drinks typically served hot or cold?
Boba drinks can be served either hot or cold.
Where did milkshakes originate?
Milkshakes originated in Western cultures.
What texture does boba have?
Boba has a liquid base with chewy tapioca pearls.
How are milkshakes and boba typically consumed?
Milkshakes are consumed with a straw or spoon, while boba is consumed with an oversized straw to sip the tapioca pearls.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Progression vs. Progress
Next Comparison
Tone vs. RegisterAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
