We’re bubbling with excitement to tell you about National Tapioca Day on June 28 when you can explore this less popular – though no less delicious – carb. Made from the cassava plant, tapioca is versatile, though tapioca pudding is the most popular American dish made with this ingredient, including savory dinner dishes. Tapioca pudding combines tapioca pearls with liquid to form a delicious, creamy mix. For many, tapioca is a love/hate relationship. Perhaps once as a child, you plunged your spoon into it, expecting the smooth vanilla pudding you’re used to. Instead, you got a mouthful of squishiness. Such an experience could leave you traumatized and wary of the dessert for years to come. If this rings true for you, then National Tapioca Day is your time to be brave and give it another try. If you’re in the camp that has been a fan of tapioca from day one, then you’ll have no problem celebrating. Maybe you’re even a connoisseur, and can already tell falooda from taho. Either way, June 28 will bring ample opportunity to either expand your palette and try something new, or spend time savoring a long-time favorite.
National Tapioca Day timeline
The word ‘tapioca’ is derived from the Tupi language.
Liu Han-Chieh introduces Taiwan to tapioca pearls.
Boba tea becomes popular in the U.S.
Bubble tea becomes cool again with the advent of places like “Boba Guys.”
National Tapioca Day Activities
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 28 | Saturday |
| 2026 | June 28 | Sunday |
| 2027 | June 28 | Monday |
| 2028 | June 28 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | June 28 | Thursday |
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