What Is Crystal Boba? Ingredients, Texture & Uses Crystal boba is a translucent bubble tea topping known for its glossy appearance and soft, jelly-like bite. Unlike traditional tapioca pearls, which are made primarily from cassava-derived tapioca starch, crystal boba is generally made with a gelling ingredient such as konjac or agar. That difference gives crystal boba its distinctive appearance and texture. Instead of the dense, starchy chew associated with classic black tapi