Bubble Tea Straws/milkshake Straws?
Decorating By SugarFiend Updated 2 Jun 2010 , 12:05am by hollynme2
After weeks of searching high and low for bubble tea straws, I found some "milkshake" straws accidentally in the soda aisle of my grocery store today, so of course I jubilantly grabbed 3 bags.
But now I wonder... Does anyone know if milkshake straws are the same as bubble tea straws? They're probably twice the diameter of regular straws - but I don't think I've ever seen bubble tea straws, so I can't be sure.
I'd feel much better if bubble tea was at least mentioned on the package. I have a Yoda cake to do next weekend, and I'm a little jumpy about his head falling off in a room full of 6-year-olds.
(Yeah, I know they can be ordered online... 
I just don't want to get all used to using something that I can't go get in person if I run out unexpectedly. I'm kinda weird that way. I'll be happy to order online as SOON as I know I can get them locally in a pinch.)
So anyway, does anyone know if "milkshake" and "bubble tea" straws are essentially the same? TIA!
bubble tea straws are ~ 1/2" in diameter. see description here:
http://www.bubbleteasupply.com/store/store.php3?item_id=2
Straws are a must when drinking your bubble tea. Straws are about 1/2" in diameter and 7" long. These straws are the thicker type and will not crumple when in use.
If you have an Asian market nearby ask one of the clerks for Boba tea straws. Boba is supposed to be the proper name for bubble tea straws. I get mine at a nearby Asian market plus I've also found them at dollar stores off and on. The Asian markets usually keep the straws in the kitchen equipment area.
Heres a link to Asian markets in NY.
http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&rlz=1W1ADFA_en&ei=QXEETPvBNZSANpW6jDw&sa=X&oi=spellfullpage&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=2&ved=0CBQQvwUoAQ&q=asian+market+new+york&spell=1&fp=d03f9920035922a8
HTH
Grrr... Mine are 3/8". I guess that means I'm back to the drawing board. Thank you, Metria!
Grrr... Mine are 3/8". I guess that means I'm back to the drawing board. Thank you, Metria!
They will work just fine. I've used them in every tiered cake that I've made. I have a few in my photos. I've never had a cake to collapse or slip on me either. I can't get bubble tea straws in my area so I use milkshake straws. I also use them in the bakery where I work. 
Oops - and thank you Joyfull4444... Alene and mamawrobin, that's encouraging! Do you use more straws than you would dowels? Also, I'm assuming you follow the same procedure of inserting the first one, marking it, removing it, and cutting all the straws for that tier using the first one as a guide. If so, does it make a big mess when you remove the first straw? It just seems like it would pull out more cake than a dowel would.
Do you use more straws than you would dowels?
NO THE LESS HOLES YOU POKE IN YOUR CAKE THE BETTER.
Also, I'm assuming you follow the same procedure of inserting the first one, marking it, removing it, and cutting all the straws for that tier using the first one as a guide.
YES...AND THEY'RE SO MUCH EASIER TO CUT.
If so, does it make a big mess when you remove the first straw? It just seems like it would pull out more cake than a dowel would.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. THE STRAW IS "FILLED" WITH CAKE BUT NO MESS.
THE ONLY CAKE THAT "COMES OUT" IS THE CAKE THAT'S IN THE STRAW.
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