The Delicious Boba Bubble tea was reportedly invited in Taiwan during the 1980s. The popular beverage comprises black tea, tapioca pearls boiled in sugar and milk. It is usually sold iced-blended but it can be found hot as well. Here, the recipe is slightly customized for the home cook with the addition of ice cubes. Follow the recipe and read the notes for alternatives. Boba in Mandarin Chinese means both “bubbles” and “big” so enjoy the large pearls!
A short history of the Boba Bubble Tea
I visited Taiwan a few years ago and learned to make this addictive milk tea in its birthplace, Taichung at the Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House. If you want to read the article and my personal experience read it here
So, do the recipe and make your comments, even better, rate it!
Do you want to try another Asian popular beverage? Check the Vietnamese coffee here
Boba Bubble Tea recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3/4 cup tapioca pearls
- 3 cups water
- 3 tea bags of black tea
- 1 cup whole milk
- Ice cubes
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and add the tapioca pearls.
- Stir the pearls and wait until they start floating to the surface.
- Boil for 10-15 minutes. Test a pearl to see if it is soft. Cook for a few more minutes if the pearl is harsh. Remove pot, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes more.
- Meanwhile prepare the tea. In a pot over medium-high heat, bring water to a boil.
- Add tea bags and boil for 5 minutes more.
- Remove from heat, cover and let sit at room temperature until ready to use.
- For the simple syrup, mix sugar and water in a pot and stir everything together. Heat the water on medium-high and cook until sugar completely dissolves. Let syrup cool.
- Meanwhile strain the tapioca. Transfer to a bowl. Add the sugar syrup to cover the pearls and let them sit for 15 minutes.
- For assembling, divide the cooked pearls into 3 tall glasses.
- Add ice cubes in each glass. Pour 1 cup of tea onto each glass. Add milk. Stir and taste.
- Serve with the signature large straws specially make for tapioca.
Notes
- You can use alternative milk if you are on a dairy-free diet. Almond and coconut milk pair the best with this beverage
- The recipe uses one tea bag per cup, for a regular-strength tea. If you want your tea stronger, use two tea bags per cup.
- Boba are best if used within a few hours of cooking. Boba will keep refrigerated with simple syrup for a few days but will not be as fresh as the first day.