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Like so many popular recipes, the story of bubble tea begins at a street food stand. It was in Taiwan in the 1980s that a seller made the decision to pair milk tea, already a national favorite, and soft and sweetened tapioca pearls, a popular Taiwanese dessert. It was an instant hit among Taiwanese people, who not only enjoyed its taste but also loved the fun of soaking up the oversized tapioca balls through jumbo straws.
The trend quickly spread across Europe and America, where shop windows are exclusively dedicated to bubble tea. The tea is called Boba in Taiwan, a word that means breasts, and while the pearls are often mixed with milk, tea, and fruit powder in retail stores, they are even tastier when paired with real fruits and other natural flavors.
Boba comes in a variety of Colors and flavors and are readily available in the Asian markets as well as online, as are those wide straws are required for a really perfect glass of bubble tea. (You can even find reusable, eco-friendly straws that are wide enough to soak up the boba pearls.) The drink is popular with adults and children alike, and because it’s such a treat, kids won’t notice if you have something healthy slip into it like green tea, almond milk or fruit.
- sugar
- Tea bags, loose tea or matcha powder
- Boba (tapioca pearls)
- Milk (non-dairy or non-dairy) or fruit juice
- 2 pots
- Sieve
- Jumbo straw
1. Make a simple syrup by bringing 1/4 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare a cup of tea with your favorite variety. If you’re using tea bags, try two to make the taste more robust. Discard the tea bags or strain the leaves and cool the tea to room temperature.
3. Bring water to a boil in another saucepan; The ratio should be 2 cups of water per 1/4 cup of boba.
4. Add the boba and reduce the heat to a light simmer. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Set the pan aside for another 15 minutes. Drain the boba in a colander, then stir in the simple syrup in a bowl. Not only will the syrup sweeten the boba, but it will also help keep it soft and chewy. Boba are best made fresh, but they can also be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours with the syrup.
6. Combine the tea and boba in a tall glass and pour your extra liquid of your choice on top. Ideas are milk, almond milk or fruit juice.
7. Add other flavors if desired and serve with a jumbo straw.
WuFuYuan Black Tapioca Pearls, $ 9.88 from Amazon
The most important bubbles for your bubble tea.
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Buddha Bubbles Coconut Boba / Bubble Tea Powder, $ 15.95 from Amazon
You can try a sweet bubble tea mix as another option for homemade boba.
Buy now
Jumbo Metal Boba Straws with Silicone Tips, 6 for $ 4.99 from Amazon
These eco-friendly, wide Boba straws contain silicone tips to protect your lips and teeth from the stainless steel.
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