Description
Silky smooth boba tea transports taste buds straight to Taiwan’s street corners with its signature chewy pearls and creamy sweetness. Refreshing pearl milk tea invites you to savor each delightful sip of this beloved international beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Tea Base:
- 2 tea bags black tea
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
Tapioca Pearls:
- 1/2 cup dried tapioca pearls
- 4 cups water
Dairy and Finishing:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup half and half
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1/4 cup brown sugar syrup
Instructions
- Boil water in a kettle and steep black tea bags for 3-5 minutes, creating a robust and aromatic tea base.
- Remove tea bags and dissolve sugar into the hot tea, stirring until completely integrated for a balanced sweetness.
- Fill a separate pot with water and bring to a rolling boil for cooking tapioca pearls.
- Carefully add dried tapioca pearls to boiling water, stirring gently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cook tapioca pearls for 15-20 minutes, watching them transform from opaque to translucent and soft.
- Drain pearls and immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Transfer cooked pearls to a bowl and mix with brown sugar syrup, allowing them to marinate and absorb rich flavors.
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to create a chilled foundation for the drink.
- Pour prepared black tea over ice, maintaining its temperature and refreshing quality.
- Combine milk and half and half, creating a creamy liquid base for the beverage.
- Gently add milk mixture to tea, creating a smooth, layered appearance.
- Spoon syrup-coated tapioca pearls into the glass, ensuring an even distribution.
- Insert a wide bubble tea straw and serve immediately for optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Timing matters when steeping tea to prevent bitterness, so watch the clock carefully and remove bags promptly after 3-5 minutes.
- Tapioca pearls require constant attention during cooking, stirring gently to avoid clumping and ensuring uniform texture throughout.
- Create dairy-free variations by substituting regular milk with almond, soy, or oat milk for a personalized lactose-free experience.
- Store leftover tapioca pearls in sugar syrup at room temperature for maximum 4 hours to maintain their chewy, delightful consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Mocktails, Tea
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg