- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CookingFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June 28
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍮
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
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 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
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.
