Are Tapioca Pearls Safe? The Truth About Refined vs Natural Starch in Bubble Tea🧋
🧋珍珠到底安不安全？教你怎麼挑選安全的珍珠粉圓
珍珠粉圓是手搖飲中最吸引人的靈魂角色，但你知道它是怎麼做出來的嗎？
在 Boba Formosa，我們相信「原料透明」才是品牌的基本承諾。
但事實是：並不是所有的珍珠粉圓都一樣安全。
🔍 天然澱粉 vs 精緻澱粉，有什麼差別？
天然木薯澱粉是從樹薯（也叫木薯）根部萃取出來，經過溫和加工，保留了原始的天然結構與特性。這樣做出來的珍珠吃起來軟Q、有嚼勁又不黏牙，而且沒有多餘添加物，吃得安心。
相反地，精緻澱粉為了節省成本，會經過漂白、脫色、化學處理等程序。這樣的澱粉雖然可以讓珍珠口感更硬、保存期限更長，但也容易帶來食品安全上的疑慮。
⚠️ 使用精緻澱粉會有什麼風險？
過去台灣、中國、香港都曾發生「毒珍珠事件」，許多都是因為使用了工業級或化學加工過的澱粉。
這些珍珠中可能含有不適合食用的添加物或非食品級成分，長期食用可能會對身體造成傷害。
而問題的根源就出在：為了節省成本而偷工減料。
🌱 Boba Formosa 使用的是什麼？
我們堅持只使用純木薯粉與天然澱粉製作珍珠，不添加人工香料、不漂白、不加便宜混粉。
✅ 100% 食品級天然原料
✅ 口感柔軟、不黏牙，天然原味
✅ 對消費者與業主來說都更安全、更放心
即使成本比較高，我們也絕不妥協品質。
因為 - 客人的信任無價。
🔍 怎麼分辨天然澱粉做的珍珠？
給你三個簡單的辨別小撇步：
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口感：天然澱粉做的珍珠吃起來軟中帶Q，不會像橡皮筋一樣硬梆梆
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顏色：呈現自然的淡棕色或半透明，有光澤但不過亮。太黑、太反光的可能有加色素
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品牌透明度：選擇願意公開原料來源、敢說自己用什麼原料的品牌最安心
❓常見問題 FAQ
所有珍珠都是用一樣的澱粉嗎？
不是。有些廠商為了省成本，會使用廉價精緻澱粉，甚至是工業等級的，品質與安全性都堪憂。
為什麼有些珍珠吃起來特別硬？
通常是因為使用了精緻澱粉或混合粉，雖然耐煮但口感偏硬，不如天然澱粉來得柔軟順口。
珍珠真的出過食安問題嗎？
有。台灣、中國、香港曾爆出多起「毒珍珠」事件，關鍵問題就是珍珠原料不合格、使用非法添加物。
要怎麼確保我買到的珍珠是安全的？
挑選有明確原料標示的品牌，像是 Boba Formosa，堅持使用食品級純木薯澱粉、不偷工減料，就是保障你與客人健康最基本的第一步。
Tapioca pearls may seem like a simple, chewy treat in your bubble tea—but do you know what they’re really made of?
At Boba Formosa, we believe in transparency. And the truth is: not all pearls are created equal.
🔍What’s the difference between natural starch and refined starch?
Natural tapioca starch is derived from the cassava root, gently processed to retain its original structure and natural properties. It’s safe, clean, and provides a soft, chewy texture.
Refined starch, on the other hand, is heavily processed—often bleached or chemically treated to improve shelf life and reduce production costs. It can lead to a firmer texture, but also comes with food safety concerns.
What are the risks of refined starch?⚠️
Several food scandals in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong have been linked to unsafe pearls made with chemically refined or even industrial-grade starch.
In these cases, pearls contained chemical additives or non-food-grade materials that posed health risks to consumers. All because of one thing: cutting corners on starch.
What does Boba Formosa use?
We proudly use only pure tapioca and natural starch, with no artificial additives or shortcuts.
✅ 100% food-grade, natural ingredients
✅ Soft, clean taste and texture
✅ Safer for consumers and better for your business
We don’t compromise on quality—even if it costs more. Because your customers’ trust is worth it.
How to tell if pearls are made with natural starch?
Here are 3 quick tips:
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Texture – Natural starch pearls are soft-chewy, not rubbery.
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Colour – Look for a warm, slightly translucent colour. Overly dark or glossy pearls may signal artificial colouring.
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Supplier Transparency – Trust brands that are open about their ingredients.
FAQ
Are all tapioca pearls made from the same starch?
No. Some brands use refined starch or artificial substitutes to reduce costs. These can affect taste and safety.
Why do some pearls feel harder or bouncier?
Harder pearls are often made with refined starch, which gives them a denser, rubbery texture—but may come at the cost of natural integrity.
Have there been food safety issues with bubble tea?
Yes. Multiple scandals in Asia involved pearls made from industrial-grade starch or containing chemical additives.
How can I make sure the pearls I buy are safe?
Buy from suppliers who disclose their ingredients and commit to food-grade, natural starch like Boba Formosa.