Delicious Homemade Bubble Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

1 cup of black or green tea leaves
2 cups of boiling water
1/2 cup of tapioca pearls
2 cups of cold water
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of whole milk
2 cups of crushed ice
Straws wide enough for the pearls to pass through

Steps and instructions

Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.
Add the tea leaves into the boiling water and let it steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea. Once steeped, remove the tea leaves and set the tea aside to cool.
In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water to boil for the tapioca pearls. Add the pearls into the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes or until they become soft. Stir occasionally to prevent the pearls from sticking to each other or the pot.
Once the pearls are cooked, drain them and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a saucepan, mix 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved. This is your homemade syrup.
Add the cooked tapioca pearls into the syrup and let it soak for about 10 minutes to sweeten and soften them.
Place a portion of the sweetened pearls into the bottom of a glass, followed by the brewed tea, a little syrup, a splash of whole milk, and finally, top it off with crushed ice. Mix well.
Serve with a wide straw and enjoy your homemade bubble tea.

Tools for making

Pot - Used to boil water for tea and tapioca pearls.
Tea leaves - The main ingredient used to brew the tea.
Tapioca pearls - Small, chewy balls made from tapioca starch, used to add texture to the bubble tea.
Saucepan - Used to make homemade syrup for sweetening the pearls.
Strainer - Used to strain the tea leaves from the brewed tea.
Glass - The serving container for the bubble tea.
Crushed ice - Used to chill the bubble tea.
Wide straw - Essential for drinking the bubble tea and allowing the pearls to pass through.

Recipe variations

Use different tea flavors such as jasmine, oolong, or fruit-infused teas.
Experiment with different sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, or flavored syrups.
Try alternative milk options such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk for a dairy-free version.
Add fruit puree or fresh fruit chunks for a fruity twist.
Include flavored powders or extracts like matcha powder, taro powder, or vanilla extract.
Add a scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt for a creamier and more indulgent bubble tea.
Replace tapioca pearls with other chewy toppings like jelly cubes, grass jelly, or aloe vera.
Blend the ingredients together to make a blended or smoothie version of bubble tea.
Adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less sugar, depending on personal preference.
Experiment with different ratios of tea, milk, and ice to find the perfect balance for your taste.

Recipe overview

Bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea or boba tea, is a delightful beverage originating from Taiwan that has gained popularity worldwide. This refreshing drink consists of sweetened tea (usually black or green) that's mixed with milk and served with chewy tapioca pearls at the bottom. Our homemade bubble tea recipe is simple to follow and allows you to customize the tea to your liking. You could opt for a stronger brew or a sweeter taste, it's completely up to you. The end result is a perfectly balanced, thirst-quenching drink with a fun twist from the tapioca pearls. Enjoy the process of making your own bubble tea and sip away!

Common questions

Can I use other types of tea leaves? Yes, you can use black or green tea leaves for this recipe. Feel free to experiment with different tea flavors to find your favorite.
How long should I steep the tea? Steep the tea leaves for 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired strength. Adjust the steeping time to suit your taste.
Can I use pre-cooked tapioca pearls? It is recommended to cook the tapioca pearls from scratch for the best texture and taste. However, you can use pre-cooked tapioca pearls if desired.
How can I make the tapioca pearls softer? To make the pearls softer, you can cook them for a few extra minutes. You can also adjust the soaking time in the syrup to further soften them.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of sugar? Yes, you can substitute the sugar with alternative sweeteners such as honey or agave syrup. Adjust the amount according to your desired sweetness.
Can I use a dairy-free milk alternative? Absolutely! If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can use almond milk, soy milk, or any other milk alternative of your choice. Adjust the quantity as needed.

Serving dishes and utensils

Pot - A pot is needed for boiling water and steeping the tea leaves.
Saucepan - A saucepan is used for making the syrup to sweeten the tapioca pearls.
Glass - A glass is used for serving the bubble tea.
Wide Straw - A wide straw is necessary to easily sip the bubble tea and enjoy the tapioca pearls.

Origin stories

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. Its inception can be traced back to a teahouse in Tainan, where Lin Hsiu Hui, the product development manager at the time, decided to spontaneously drop her dessert of fen yuan (a traditional Taiwanese sweet made from tapioca) into her assam iced tea during a staff meeting. This peculiar concoction was an instant hit among the staff. Intrigued by its potential, the teahouse added it to their menu. The drink quickly gained popularity across Taiwan, and eventually, the world. Nowadays, you can find a wide variety of bubble tea, with all sorts of flavors and toppings, but the original concoction was a simple blend of sweetened tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.