Every other day I get to know about a boba tea shop opening here and there. After originating from Taiwan, it has taken the internet by storm. From cute cafes to Instagrammable shots, this drink is becoming a favorite.

The unique idea of pearls, soft and chewable, is what makes it unique. People enjoy this drink in different flavors and colors. There are a wide variety of options available in the drink.

The experience of drinking boba tea is joyful. You can feel the bursting of those soft pearls as you take the first sip.

Imagine enjoying boba tea in the comfort of your own home. You do not need to wait in long lines at the cafe. You can now make it at the ease of your home, making it a playful experience.

In this guide, we’ll look into each aspect of its making. From ingredients to storage to tips, you’ll shortly become a pro making it. This guide will bring out your creativity one bubble at a time.

1. What Is Boba Tea?

Boba tea is not just a simple tea; it’s more than that. It is a popular drink that people enjoy having any time of the day. It gained much popularity due to its unique taste and flavors.

Its uniqueness is because of the tapioca pearls or balls in it. It is a milky, sweet tea with soft tapioca balls that melts in the mouth. The tapioca balls give the drink its unique appearance and taste.

Boba tea comes in many yummy flavors. From black tea to lychee flavor to strawberry to peach, everyone can enjoy the flavor they like. People also top boba tea with whipping cream, jelly, or pudding for added indulgence.

At its core, it is a drink that has captured people’s palates and hearts both at the same time.

2. Ingredients Used In Making Boba Tea

Boba tea requires a few ingredients. The ingredients mentioned below are for making 2 servings.

For Boba Pearls:

Water: ⅓ cup or 75 ml
Sugar: Dark muscovado or brown sugar: ¼ cup or 55 g
Tapioca flour: ¾ cup or 65 g

Brown Sugar Syrup:

Brown sugar or dark muscovado sugar: 1 cup or 220 g
Water: 1 cup or 240 mL

Black Tea:

Black tea bags: 6
Water: 2 cups or 480 mL

Milk Mixture:

Half & half: 3 tbsp
Sweetened condensed milk: 3 tbsp

Ice:

Ice: 3 cups or 450 g

3. What Are The Equipment Needed To Make Boba Tea?

Are you also interested in making boba tea at home? No worries. In this guide we’ll also solve your problem of getting the best boba equipment.

If you want to make boba tea more efficiently at home or for large-scale parties, you’ll need these:

Measuring cups
Spoons
Strainer
Containers
Cooking pots
Ice cube tray
Cups with lids
Shaking cups
Mason jar or glass
Thick straw

4. How Is Boba Tea Made?

With the right equipment and ingredients anyone can make boba tea at home. The preparation requires a few simple steps and you can enjoy boba tea at home.

The method of making boba tea consists of following steps:

1. Make Boba Pearls:

Cook water and sugar on medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Add tapioca flour gradually, mixing it till it smoothens. Add the rest of the flour while mixing it and form the shape of the dough.
Turn off the heat now and add the remaining flour. Keep stirring till the dough comes in the shape of a ball. Let it cool.
Now knead the dough well to make it smooth. Cut the dough into small portions and roll each portion into thin, long ropes. Cut the ropes into small pieces. Give the pieces the shape of tiny balls. Dust the balls with tapioca flour to prevent sticking.
Now add these balls in boiling water after dusting off any excess flour. Stir a bit to keep them separate. Gently simmer and stir for 15 minutes until cooked.

2. Alongside, Prepare Sugar Syrup:

In a saucepan, cook the water and muscovado sugar or brown sugar on medium heat. Cook it so that the sugar dissolves and the syrup reduces. Now keep the syrup in a separate bowl.
Rinse the already cooked pearls with cold water. Add the prepared pearls in this sugar syrup and let it sit for 40 to 50 min.

3. Make The Black Tea:

In a pot, boil water. Add your tea bags in boiling water. After it boils, remove from the stove. Let it come to room temperature.

4. Prepare The Milk Mixture:

In a bowl, whisk and combine the condensed milk and half-and-half. You can also opt for evaporated milk or any other milk.

5. Assemble The Boba Tea:

Take 2 glasses of your choice. In both glasses, pour brown sugar syrup first. Now add boba pearls, about ⅓ cup. Top with 1 1⁄2 cups of ice.
Now pour ½ cup of black tea and 3 tbsp of milk mixture over it. With a wide opening straw, stir it and serve.

5. Can We Buy Tapioca Pearls, And What Kind?

Tapioca pearls make the boba tea unique. We can prepare them from scratch, but ready-made tapioca pearls are also available.

Making boba tea using ready-made tapioca pearls is convenient. They are available uncooked. You just have to boil it in water and later keep it in syrup.

Black pearls are the common ones, as they make the drink visible. You can easily find them in stores near you, or you can also buy them online.

6. What Are The Options For Milk?

This recipe does not need to use whole milk only. We can opt for different types of milk while making it. The options for milk one can use include:

Oat milk
Almond milk
2% milk
Skim Milk
Evaporated milk
Condensed milk
Hokkaido Milk
Coconut Milk
Soy Milk

7. Options For Boba Tea Flavors:

You do not need to taste your boba tea the same way always. You can add flavors to your boba tea, incorporating a new one each day. This is good news for all boba lovers.

You can make boba tea in great flavors that are as follows:

Black Tea
Lychee
Matcha
Jasmine
Mango
Strawberry
Lavender
Passion fruit
Taro
Chai
Thai tea
Black or spiced brown sugar

8. How To Store Boba Tea?

If you wish to store boba pearls, let them come to room temperature first. Then you can keep them in the same liquid you boiled them in. This will maintain the bouncy, chewy texture.

To store the pearls, put them in an airtight jar. To prevent drying, place them in a refrigerator. They may harden when stored, so make sure to microwave for 30 sec before serving.

You can also store the brown sugar syrup and tea separately. Best way to keep them is to store them in the refrigerator.

If you also wish to store the assembled boba tea drink, you can only keep it overnight or for a day. It may lose flavor, or the pearls can become soggy if you keep it longer.

9. Tips For Making Great Boba Tea:

Here are some great tips for making a perfect, flavorful boba tea.

Try to use freshly made boba pearls, slightly warm. They taste best when freshly cooked.
To avoid boba pearls from sticking to one another keep them in brown sugar syrup. You can also keep boba pearls in honey, corn syrup, or maple syrup.
If you like to store boba pearls, store them in a syrup solution.
For a strong tea base, try to use enough tea.
Always used chilled milk while making the drink.
For a creamier taste, use milk without tea.
To have a foamy texture of the drink, add tea, milk, syrup, and ice in a shaker. Shake for 8 to 10 seconds and pour in the glass with syrup.
Avoid freezing assembled boba tea, as the boba pearls may harden, and it wouldn’t taste the same.

Conclusion:

Boba tea has become everyone’s favorite with the passage of time. People make it at home and also enjoy having it at cafes. Every other day a friend of mine calls me to let me know to go have boba.

This drink is not only easy to make but fun to drink. It is a playful experience while making and drinking both. The tapioca pearls give the drink a unique taste and appearance.

We can make it in both classic whole milk and also in plant-based milks. It has countless variations in terms of flavors as well.

Making it at home is a lot more convenient now. You can easily make it at home for yourselves and guests. When made and assembled right, it can give bursting flavors to the mouth.

FAQs:

Does Boba Tea Contain Caffeine In It?

Yes, it does. It is dependent on the type of tea used. For decaf options, choose fruit teas or herbal teas.

Is Boba Tea Gluten-Free?

Yes, boba tea is a gluten-free drink. Tapioca starch used in making pearls is gluten free. But, be careful when buying ready-made boba, toppings, or syrups. Go through the ingredients before buying.

Is Boba Tea A Healthy Drink?

No, it is not a healthy drink. The sugar syrups and flavored syrups make it an unhealthy drink and high in calories.

Can We Make A Healthier Version Of Boba Tea?

Yes, we can make it. by reducing the amount of sugar, choosing unsweetened tea, and avoiding flavored syrups. We can also make it using plant-based milk to reduce calories.

Is Boba Tea Vegan?

No, it is not a vegan drink. By making it with oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk, we can make it vegan.

How To Make Boba Tea?

1. What Is Boba Tea?