Menu
0
0

Your Cart is Empty

Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu

A column with no settings can be used as a spacer

Link to your collections, sales and even external links

Add up to five columns

  • Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu

  • Toppings

  • A column with no settings can be used as a spacer

  • Flavoured Syrups, Syrups and Jams
  • Tea & Powders

  • Link to your collections, sales and even external links

  • Equipment

  • Add up to five columns

  • Special Promotion
    • Home  / Boba Buzz Blog
    Previous  / Next

    Zootopia vs. Zootropolis: Why We Choose "Boba" in a "Bubble Tea" World

    December 02, 2025 2 min read

    A split-screen graphic with a text overlay in the center that reads "ZOOTOPIA VS. ZOOTROPOLIS: Why We Choose 'Boba' in a 'Bubble Tea' World." The letters "TOPIA" and "TROPOLIS" are highlighted in red. Left Side: A hand holds a clear cup of creamy, light-brown milk tea with dark tapioca pearls at the bottom. The background features sunny, modern skyscrapers and palm trees. Right Side: A hand holds a clear cup of golden-orange iced tea with multi-colored fruit pearls. The background features the Big Ben clock tower and a red double-decker bus in London.

    Zootopia vs. Zootropolis: Why We Choose "Boba" in a "Bubble Tea" World

    If you’re a Disney fan, you might know a peculiar fact: the movie known globally as Zootopia is titled Zootropolis in the UK. Disney changed the name to fit the local market.

    It raises an interesting question for us in the beverage industry. In the UK, the general public says "Bubble Tea." Yet, we are Boba Buzz. We supply Popping Boba.

    Why do we use the term "Boba" when the rest of the country says "Bubble Tea"? And importantly, how should you name the items on your menu?

    A close-up of a plastic cup filled with iced milk tea and dark tapioca pearls sitting on a wooden counter next to a notebook. The cup features a logo that reads "BOBA BUZZ". In the blurred background, a barista in an apron interacts with a customer at a cafe register. Text at the bottom of the image reads: "The 'Boba' Identity: Why It Matters".

    The "Boba" Identity: Why It Matters

    While "Bubble Tea" is the catch-all term in the UK, "Boba" is the term used by the originators in Taiwan and the trendsetters in the US (California, specifically).

    By sticking with Popping Boba and Boba Buzz, we aren't just being stubborn; we are signaling two things:

    1. Authenticity: We respect the global roots of the drink.

    2. Modernity: Gen Z and younger consumers—your most loyal customers—live on TikTok and Instagram. The global hashtag is #Boba (with 32M+ posts), not just #BubbleTea.

    When you see Popping Boba on our price list, it’s a sign that you are getting the industry-standard, high-quality product that connects with global trends.

    Two hands hold clear plastic spoons filled with glossy, red popping boba pearls over a small white saucer on a light wooden counter. In the background, a small chalkboard sign stands on the counter with handwritten text that reads: "THE 'POP' EXPERIENCE! Fruit Flavoured Syrup Inside." A person wearing a black apron is partially visible behind the counter. The text at the bottom of the image reads: "Educating Your Customer: The 'Popping' Experience."

    Educating Your Customer: The "Popping" Experience

    Some UK shops have tried renaming Popping Boba to "Juice Balls" or "Fruit Pearls" to sound safer for local customers.

    However, we believe in the power of the correct terminology. Popping Boba perfectly describes the experience:

    • It is Boba (a chewable/edible topping).

    • It is Popping (providing that signature burst of flavour).

    Instead of changing the name on your menu and hiding what it is, use it as a conversation starter. When a new customer asks, "What is Popping Boba?", that is your staff's moment to shine. Describe the texture, the burst of fruit juice, and the fun factor.

    An infographic illustration titled "Strategy for Your Shop: Mix and Match." A thought bubble at the top reads "STRATEGY: MIX & MATCH." The image is divided into two sections to show a marketing approach: Left Side (Shop Sign - UK Focus): Shows a shop front with a large sign that reads "BUBBLE TEA" accompanied by a small Union Jack flag, with customers walking past. Right Side (Menu & Social Media - Global Trends): Shows a smartphone displaying an Instagram post featuring a boba drink with hashtags like #Boba and #PoppingBoba. Next to the phone is a sandwich board sign titled "BOBA MENU," listing items such as "Mango Popping Boba" and "Classic Milk Tea with Boba."

    Strategy for Your Shop: Mix and Match

    So, should you change your shop's sign to "Boba Shop"? Not necessarily.

    Just like the movie has two names but remains the same great film, you can adapt to your environment while keeping the core identity:

    • For your Shop Sign: "Bubble Tea" is still great for SEO and foot traffic in the UK.

    • For your Menu & Social Media: Don't be afraid to use "Boba." Use "Popping Boba" proudly. It tells your customers that you know the trends and you aren't just serving a generic drink—you are serving the real deal.

    Conclusion

    Whether you prefer the name Zootopia or Zootropolis, the story is what matters. In our industry, whether your customers call it Bubble Tea or Boba, the quality is what keeps them coming back.

    At Boba Buzz, we stick to "Boba" because we believe in bringing the authentic, buzzing energy of this global phenomenon straight to your UK business.

    Ready to stock up? Check out our full range of authentic Popping Boba—from Mango to Dragon Fruit—at Boba Buzz today.

     

    Leave a comment

    1