https://www.siliconvalley.com/2021/04/25/another-pandemic-shortage-toilet-paper-hand-sanitizer-and-now-boba-tea/

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a number of shortages over the past year. Such goods as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and even coins became harder to find. Now, aftershocks of the coronavirus outbreak appear to be contributing another scarcity – one which could affect some consumers’ favorite drinks.

Those little imported tapioca balls — commonly referred to as “boba pearls,” the top-billed ingredient in “boba milk tea” or “bubble tea” drinks — are in short supply for some business owners. It’s all due to a bottleneck in the Asian-U.S. shipping chain.