When boba originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, it was made with natural ingredients. But as it gained popularity across the world, additives and preservatives replaced simple ingredients for the sake of mass production.

Co-founders of Better Boba, Allison and Parth Sodha, couldn’t find all-natural boba at home in the U.S. So, they traveled around the world, meeting with producers across Asia to learn the history of boba. They wanted to understand the traditional way boba is made using all-natural ingredients so they could share this healthier version with their customers back home in the States.

With what they learned, Allison and Parth purchased a machine from Taiwan and perfected their recipe over eight months. Every bag of Better Boba contains just four ingredients: tapioca flour, brown sugar, natural xanthan gum, and pure water. Notable exclusions – preservatives and additives. Simple ingredients that differentiate Better Boba from mass producers.

They started selling their own boba tea in their Portland ice cream shop. After seeing its popularity, they wanted to make it available to everyone. So, they started packaging the pearls for sale.

Compared to most packaged boba, Better Boba’s pearls aim to be healthier and easier to digest, and customers say it’s tastier. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher.

The brand uses recyclable packaging for shipments, too. But Allison says their commitment to sustainability isn’t just environmental. “It’s about assuring everybody involved has a sustainable wage, from the farmers to the manufacturers.” Better Boba also aims to work with female farmers to support female agriculture overseas.

Through hard work, the interest in Better Boba’s products have grown from a regional interest to global demand. Allison and Parth fulfill orders for their boba to grocers, tea shops, eateries, online retailers, and consumers.

FedEx picks up shipments from Better Boba’s local manufacturing team. And Allison also utilizes the convenience and in-person support at her local FedEx Office to drop off and manage crucial shipments. For her, choosing a shipping partner is about the relationship. That connection is one thing she remembers most about sending out their first big wholesale order. “It was just one of those moments when we’re celebrating as a team. And it was really nice to know FedEx was celebrating with us.”

Better Boba has offered one classic flavor to this point.  With the funds received as one of the 2024 FedEx® Small Business Grants Program recipients, they plan to now launch three more: strawberry, mango, and ube, which will allow them to expand and scale their product line. Allison says, “Quite literally, this grant will connect us with the world – just like the power of FedEx!”