Bubble Tea Recipe

Bubble tea, with its smooth texture and rich flavor, is a popular summer beverage that can help cool you down. Many people enjoy it, and it’s a drink suitable for all ages. Today, I will share with you a simple method to make delicious bubble tea at home.

Bubble tea is primarily made from tapioca starch, milk, and black tea. The process is relatively simple, making it one of my favorite drinks. Having lived in Taiwan for over a decade, I will introduce you to the most authentic way to make bubble tea. Let's learn together the key techniques for making delicious bubble tea~

1. What is Bubble Tea?

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, or simply boba, is a tea-based beverage that originated in Taiwan. It becomes bubble tea when tapioca pearls (粉圆) are added to milk tea. Bubble tea is part of Taiwan's "foam red tea" culture. Initially, it was created by merchants in Taichung who mixed black tea with fresh milk and soft, chewy tapioca pearls. Although it only involves adding tapioca pearls to milk tea, it has become one of the most iconic drinks and snacks in Taiwan.

2. What are the pearls in bubble tea?

The pearls in bubble tea are primarily made from tapioca starch, which contains up to 83% amylopectin, giving the pearls their chewy texture.

Important Tip:

You can choose to buy tapioca pearls directly. Ready-made tapioca pearls can be purchased from supermarkets or local Chinese stores.

3. What tea to use?

Tea leaves are an essential ingredient in making bubble tea. Typically, black tea is the first choice for making bubble tea due to its smooth texture and rich flavor, resulting in a delicious drink. However, if you prefer not to use black tea, jasmine tea can be used as an alternative.

4. What milk to choose?

When making bubble tea, there are no strict brand requirements for the milk. You can choose either whole milk or semi-skimmed milk. If you prefer other options, you can use plant-based milk alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk. For a richer, creamier flavor, you can try adding condensed milk.

5. Precautions for Drinking Bubble Tea

The pearls in bubble tea, also known as tapioca balls, are fun to chew but can pose a choking hazard, especially for children. Therefore, I recommend using reusable straws and long spoons to scoop out all the delicious pearls, helping to prevent any accidental incidents.

6. How to Store Bubble Tea

As a beverage, bubble tea has a relatively short shelf life and is best enjoyed as soon as possible, ideally within half an hour, for the best taste. If you make a larger batch, it's best to consume it on the same day.

Important Tip:

If you want a particularly cold bubble tea, you can put the milk, tea, and some ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously (just like making a cocktail) and then pour it into a glass filled with pearls and ice cubes. This is actually the more "traditional" way to make bubble tea (i.e., shaking rather than stirring).

I shared a wealth of knowledge about bubble tea with everyone. Now, let's make delicious bubble tea together!