National Tapioca Day – Jun. 28, 2026

National Tapioca Day
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United States
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Every June 28
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National Tapioca Day bubbles up every June 28, inviting us to explore this versatile and often misunderstood carb. Made from the cassava plant, tapioca is most famously known in creamy puddings and chewy boba tea. Take this day to brave a new tapioca dish, revisit a childhood favorite, or share your love for its unique texture with others.

Want to sponsor National Tapioca Day? Learn how

Expected National Tapioca Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Tapioca Day often brings sweet deals. Look for special offers from bubble tea shops like Boba Guys and Kung Fu Tea, which may feature discounted tapioca pearls or new drink combinations. Grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods might highlight tapioca-based desserts or offer sales on baking ingredients like tapioca flour. Dessert brands like Jell-O (which offers tapioca pudding mixes) could run online promotions. Specialty food stores and Asian markets are also prime spots for unique tapioca products and discounts. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 28 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Tapioca Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalTapiocaDay. Film a ‘taste test’ video trying different tapioca dishes or boba flavors.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #TapiocaLove. Share visually appealing photos of your homemade tapioca pudding or a colorful boba tea.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #TapiocaDay. Post a poll asking followers if they love or hate tapioca, and why.

Social Media Tips for National Tapioca Day

Individuals

Challenge yourself to try a new tapioca dish you've never had before, whether it's a savory tapioca pancake or a unique boba flavor.

Creators

Create a recipe video for a gourmet tapioca pudding or a DIY boba tea kit, showcasing the versatility of tapioca pearls.

Brands

Host a 'Tapioca Recipe Contest' on your social channels, encouraging customers to share their most creative tapioca-based dishes for a prize.

Top Brands for National Tapioca Day

  1. Boba Guys

    Founded in 2011 in San Francisco, Boba Guys quickly became a popular boba tea chain known for its high-quality ingredients and innovative flavors, often featuring tapioca pearls.

  2. Jell-O

    A classic American dessert brand, Jell-O, owned by Kraft Heinz, offers a variety of pudding and gelatin mixes, including popular tapioca pudding mixes that make the dessert accessible for home cooks.

  3. Trader Joe's

    Known for its unique and affordable grocery items, Trader Joe's often carries pre-made tapioca puddings and tapioca flour, making it a go-to for tapioca enthusiasts.

  4. The Tapioca Store

    An online retailer specializing in tapioca products, offering a wide range of tapioca pearls, flours, and kits for making boba tea and other tapioca-based desserts at home.

  5. Whole Foods Market

    A leading natural and organic food retailer, Whole Foods offers various tapioca products, from organic tapioca flour to ready-to-eat tapioca puddings in its dessert sections.

  6. Sago Factory

    While 'sago' is distinct from tapioca, this brand represents specialty starch producers. Sago Factory focuses on high-quality sago pearls, often used in similar culinary applications to tapioca, particularly in Asian desserts.

  7. Minute Tapioca

    A well-known brand of instant tapioca, Minute Tapioca has been a pantry staple for generations, simplifying the process of making homemade tapioca pudding with its quick-cooking pearls.

National Tapioca Day Hero

The Cassava Plant

The humble cassava plant (Manihot esculenta) is the root source of tapioca, a versatile starch that feeds millions globally. Native to South America, it was domesticated thousands of years ago and spread worldwide, becoming a staple crop in many tropical regions. Its starchy tubers are processed to extract tapioca, which is used in everything from puddings and boba tea to thickening agents and gluten-free flours. The cassava plant's resilience and nutritional value make it a silent hero of global cuisine.

National Tapioca Day timeline

1500
Tipi'óka

The word ‘tapioca’ is derived from the Tupi language.

1983
Tapioca Pearls?

Liu Han-Chieh introduces Taiwan to tapioca pearls.

1990s
Bubble Tea Craze

Boba tea becomes popular in the U.S.

2000s
Resurgence

Bubble tea becomes cool again with the advent of places like “Boba Guys.”

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Tapioca Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Tapioca Day by offering special menu items or promotions. Restaurants could feature a unique tapioca dessert, like a lavender tapioca pudding, or a savory dish using tapioca flour as a thickener. Coffee shops and cafes can highlight boba tea specials with unique flavor combinations. Bakeries might create gluten-free tapioca-based pastries. Even non-food businesses could engage by sharing fun facts about tapioca on social media, encouraging customers to try a local tapioca treat, and tagging local establishments.

National Tapioca Day FAQs

When is National Tapioca Day?

National Tapioca Day 2026 falls on a Sunday, June 28. It’s the perfect weekend opportunity to indulge in your favorite tapioca treats or experiment with new recipes.

How is tapioca made?

Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, a tuberous plant native to South America. The root is first grated and washed to separate the starch from the pulp. The starchy liquid is then allowed to settle, and the water is drained off, leaving behind a wet starch. This starch is then dried and processed into various forms, such as flakes, pearls, or flour.

What are the different uses for tapioca?

Tapioca is incredibly versatile, extending beyond just pudding. It’s a primary ingredient in bubble tea (boba), where the chewy pearls are a signature feature. Tapioca flour is a popular gluten-free alternative for baking and a thickener for sauces and soups. In some cultures, it’s used to make flatbreads, savory crepes, and even as a binder in meat products.

Is tapioca good for you?

Tapioca is primarily a source of carbohydrates, providing energy. It is naturally gluten-free, making it a suitable option for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. However, it is low in protein, fiber, and most vitamins and minerals. Its nutritional value largely depends on what it’s prepared with, such as milk, fruit, or sugar in puddings.

National Tapioca Day Activities

  1. Start a trending social media topic

    Everyone knows about our most widely observed holidays, but how many of your friends have June 28 circled on their calendars? Help spread the news about this quirky holiday by snapping a photo of your cup of tapioca and putting it on your preferred social media platform with the hashtag #NationalTapiocaDay day.

  2. Make your own batch from scratch

    Whether it’s taken from an online resource, your grandmother’s secret recipe, or you’re up for experimenting with your own style of tapioca pudding, try making your own. The fun here is seeing the process, and understanding how those little pearls form such a creamy dessert. You could even use it as a science experience with your kids, who get a treat at the end.

  3. Try tapioca in a new form

    Even if you love tapioca pudding, it’s doubtful you’ve tried tapioca in all its forms. Some of the most common variations include bubble tea - a drink typical in Thailand - flatbreads, and even tapioca crackers, which are typical in Indonesia.

Why We Love National Tapioca Day

  1. It’s great for us

    While we typically don’t associate desserts with health foods, tapioca is packed with vitamins and minerals that do wonders for the body. Want increased circulation? Dig into some tapioca. Need an extra dose of Vitamin K for strong bone growth? Have a bowl of tapioca pudding! Now of course the sugar and cream added to tapioca doesn’t share these same benefits, but you can at least take heart knowing those little pearls are doing your body good.

  2. It’s versatile

    If you like experimenting in the kitchen, there’s no shortage of recipes to try when it comes to using tapioca. There’s always the old fashioned tapioca your grandparents enjoyed, but recently variations have been catching on. How about making it with coconut milk and bits of mango? Or, for a true culinary challenge, try baking it as a tapioca creme brulee. On National Tapioca Day, you can have it however you want.

  3. It’s a blast from the past

    Tapioca pudding was a staple dessert all over the world in the mid 20th century, but as other forms of pudding emerged, notably instant chocolate and vanilla pudding, many believe tapioca lost a bit of its appeal. However, on June 28, you can be a part of bringing back this nostalgic dish.

National Tapioca Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 June 28 Sunday
2027 June 28 Monday
2028 June 28 Wednesday
2029 June 28 Thursday
2030 June 28 Friday