How to Make Bubble Tea with Tapioca Pearls Recipe
This refreshing Bubble Tea Drink with Black Tapioca offers a perfect balance of robust black tea, sweet sugar, chewy tapioca pearls, and creamy milk. Easy to prepare at home, it provides a delightful and customizable beverage experience popular in many tea shops worldwide.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 10 black tea bags
- 6 cups boiling water
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
Bubble Component
- 8.8 ounces quick-cooking tapioca pearls
To Serve
- Whole milk or half-and-half, as required (2 to 3 tablespoons per serving)
- Ice cubes, as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Tea Base: Bring 6 cups of water to a vigorous boil. Remove from heat and add the black tea bags along with 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Let the tea steep and cool to room temperature before removing and discarding the tea bags.
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls: About fifteen minutes before serving, bring a small saucepan filled with water to a rolling boil. Add the quick-cooking tapioca pearls, stirring constantly to keep them from sticking together. Boil for 5 to 7 minutes until the pearls float and become chewy. Drain them, rinse briefly under cold water, and transfer to a clean bowl.
- Assemble the Bubble Tea: Evenly distribute the cooked tapioca pearls among four highball glasses. Add ice cubes as desired to chill the drink. Pour approximately 1 1/2 cups of the prepared tea into each glass. Top each glass with 2 to 3 tablespoons of whole milk or half-and-half, adjusting to preferred creaminess. Sweeten further with additional sugar if desired. Serve immediately with large straws or long spoons for enjoying the pearls.
Notes
- Use quick-cooking tapioca pearls for faster preparation, but regular pearls can be used with longer cooking time.
- Adjust the sweetness and creaminess according to personal preference.
- Serving with large straws or spoons makes it easier to enjoy both the drink and the tapioca pearls.
- Prepared tea can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours if not used immediately.
- Ensure tapioca pearls are rinsed under cold water after cooking to prevent sticking.
