Shooting through fat straws everywhere, the bubbles found in many refreshing iced drinks this year aren’t merely effervescent, but tangible spheres that you can chew. Known interchangeably as bubble tea, pearl tea, and boba tea, this Taiwanese import has even more flavors than names. Different varieties of tea are only the tip of the iceberg; additional fruit, milk, herb, and spice possibilities are endless. The unlikely textural contrast between milky liquid and toothsome tapioca makes for an irresistible treat, no matter the temperature outside.
Despite their proliferation, trips to Chinatown often end in disappointment. Most commercial offerings are prepared from powdered mixes with milk powder built in, with few options on tap. Luckily, it’s a snap to bypass all the questionable chemicals when you make your own boba-licious brew! Starting with more readily available clear tapioca pearls, the texture is slightly softer, but the experience is just as sweet and satisfying. Get ready for some serious refreshment; it will be hard to stop whipping up bubbling up once you start.
Boba Milk Tea
Sweet, chewy tapioca pearls are a fun addition to any iced drink! Make your own boba at home to bypass any dairy derivatives or questionable ingredients.
Ingredients
Cooked Tapioca Pearls (Boba):
- 1/2 Cup Large Tapioca Pearls*
- 6 Cups Cold Water
- 1/4 Cup Date Syrup or Dark Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
- 1/8 Teaspoon Salt
Creamsicle Bubble Tea:
- 1/2 Cup Crushed Ice
- 1 Cup Orange Juice
- 1 Cup Plain or Vanilla Vegan Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon Light Agave Nectar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Teaspoon Orange Zest
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Tapioca Pearls
Chai Bubble Tea:
- 1 1/2 Cups Water
- 2 Bag (2 Teaspoons Loose Leaf) Black Tea
- 1 Cup Plain Non-Dairy Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Light Agave Nectar
- 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cardamom
- 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Tapioca Pearls
Coconut Bubble Tea:
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Bag (1 Teaspoon Loose Leaf) White or Green Tea
- 1 Cup Crushed Ice
- 3/4 Cup Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Light Agave Nectar
- 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Tapioca Pearls
Instructions
- To prepare the boba for any of the flavor variations, place the tapioca and cold water in a medium sauce pan and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then immediately reduce the heat to low, simmering very gently for 45 - 50 minutes.
- When they're done, the pearls should be mostly translucent with only a tiny speck of opaque white remaining in the centers. Drain in a fine mesh sieve and rinse thoroughly in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Transfer the soft pearls to a small bowl, add date syrup or brown sugar and salt, stirring gently to combine. Let the tapioca soak in the sugar for at least 15 minutes before using. Covered and stored in the fridge, prepared tapioca can be kept for up to two days.
- For the creamsicle bubble tea, place the crushed ice and orange juice in your blender and pulse to further break down the ice. Once slushy but still a bit coarse, add in the yogurt, agave, vanilla, and zest. Blend just until smooth and sippable.
- Spoon the cooked boba into either 1 or 2 glasses and top with the creamsicle mixture. Enjoy right away before the ice melts.
- For the chai bubble tea, bring the water to a boil and add in the tea bags. Cover and let steep until cool to the touch; at least 30 minutes. The tea should be dark and strong. Thoroughly chill for 2 - 3 hours before proceeding.
- Vigorously whisk the non-dairy milk, agave, and all the spices together so that the mixture is smooth. Stir the iced tea in last, mixing until the drink is well blended.
- Spoon the cooked boba into either 1 or 2 glasses and top with the milk tea.
- For the coconut bubble tea, bring the water to a boil and add in the tea bag. Cover and let steep until cool to the touch; at least 30 minutes. The tea should be dark and strong. Chill thoroughly for 2 - 3 hours before proceeding.
- Place the crushed ice and coconut milk in your blender and pulse to further break down the ice. Once slushy but still a bit coarse, add in the iced tea, agave, and vanilla. Blend just until smooth and sippable.
- Spoon the cooked boba into either 1 or 2 glasses and top with the coconut tea. Enjoy right away before the ice melts.
Notes
*“Real” boba from Taiwan is typically black, slightly larger than standard white tapioca, and chewier when prepared. These pearls have sugar and artificial dyes added, but some less savory brands also throw in a whole chemist’s set of unidentifiable ingredients in as well. They keep longer in the fridge (up to four days in an airtight container) and have a distinctive “bouncy” chew. In the event that you can secure a reputable supply of these toothsome morsels, feel free to substitute them here for a more authentic experience. They only need to be cooked for 15 minutes at a rolling
boil, and then allowed to sit and steam for an additional 15. There's no need to add sugar since they come pre-sweetened.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 483Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 106mgCarbohydrates: 81gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 4g
All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.
I’m back blogging after a few months of being MIA and wanted to catch up on your blog. It’s hit and miss here if Bubble Tea is Vegan. There is a place I know I can go but it’s not nearby unless I’m in Erie for work. They sound fun and flavorful, tho!
Yay, glad to see you back here again! I know what you mean; the most frustrating thing is when they have dairy alternatives but then soak the pearls in honey. So close, but then so far!
This looks wonderful, thanks! Thankfully there are a few decent vegan options locally for us.
[…] Boba tea shops have popularized the concept with the addition of tender tapioca pearls soaked in honey syrup, but in truth, any brewed tea with a splash of milk qualifies. […]