Pearl tea, also known as bubble tea, is a sweet, cold tea drink that originated in Taiwan. The beverage is tea's answer to the iced cappuccino, as it is made with milk, tea and flavoring syrup. The name comes from the addition of chewy pearls, or balls, of tapioca that are i the beverage. Although pearl tea can be quite flavorful, it is rich in calories and high in carbohydrates. Check local nutrition labels when available, as nutritional values may vary between brands and cafes.
Calories in Pearl Tea
Pearl tea is calorie-dense, with 84 calories in an 8-oz. serving. This amount is just 16 fewer calories than an 8 oz. serving of non-diet cola contains and is more than 4 percent of the daily suggested intake of 2,000 calories. If you're dieting, you can burn off the calories in 8 oz. of pearl tea through 17 minutes of water aerobics or 28 minutes of walking at a 2 mph pace.
Fat in Pearl Tea
Most pearl tea does not contain fat, as it is made with skim milk. However, if you are making pearl tea at home and do not use skim milk, the beverage will contain fat; 4 oz. of 2 percent milk contains 2.5 g of fat, while 4 oz. of whole milk contains 4 g of fat.
Carbohydrates in Pearl Tea
Pearl tea is rich in carbohydrates, with 20 g in each 8-oz. serving. Of these carbohydrates, 18 g come from sugar, while 1 g comes from dietary fiber, a nutrient beneficial to digestion and can help make you feel full. Consuming beverages high in sugar may increase your risk of diabetes and obesity, as the consistency of such drinks is too thin to trigger your body's satiety cues.
Protein Content
Pearl tea is low in protein, with 1 g in each 8-oz. serving. Protein is found in all of your body's cells, and is used to build tissues such as skin, hair and muscle. MedlinePlus suggests that you eat 50 to 65 g of protein each day to promote optimal health.
References
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Pearl Milk Tea (Chin Chin)
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Pepsi (Pepsi)
- Mayo Clinic; Exercise for Weight Loss: Calories Burned in 1 Hour; December 2009
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in My 2 Percent Milk
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Whole Milk
- Harvard Medical School; Sugar and Obesity: High Calorie Drinks to Blame?; October 2006
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