Bubble Tea
Bubble Tea
Bubble tea is a drink typically made with milk tea and chewy tapioca pearls. Bubble tea may also have different additions, such as pudding, grass jelly, or agar pearls. The milk tea itself may also be different flavors or a different beverage. Bubble tea can be found at a number of local bubble tea shops or made at home. At bubble tea shops, it is common to be able to select different levels of sweetness or different temperatures.
Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. The idea of putting the tapioca pearls into milk tea goes to either Chun Shui Tang Teahouse in Taizhong or Hanlin Teahouse in Tainan. The taopica balls originally used in Hanlin Teahouse were white, bearing more resemblance to pearls, but were eventually switched out for the black pearls more commonly seen today. Since then, bubble tea has gained traction among other tea shops and in different countries. It has also gained a more diverse range of flavors and toppings/additives.
SourceIngredients (may vary between methods)
Uncooked tapioca pearls (Can be purchased at 99 Ranch or online)
Water
Milk or milk powder
Condensed milk (optional)
Simple syrupMaking the Tapioca Pearls
1. Bring water to boil in another pot.
2. Add 1/8-1/4 cup of uncooked tapioca pearls to boiling water.
3. Boil tapioca pearls on medium heat for half an hour. (Or follow instructions on package.)
4. Let pearls sit in honey solution or simple syrup for half an hour to sweeten.
Making Milk Tea Method 1
1. Put desired amount of milk and tea bag or 1 tablespoon of tea leaves into pot on medium heat. Bring to boil. WATCH POT TO PREVENT BOILING OVER!
2. Once boiling, turn heat to low and let steep for about 3 more minutes or until desired darkness is reached.
3. Stir in condensed milk or simple syrup to taste. Remove from heat and let cool. If loose-leaf tea was used, strain out tea leaves with mesh strainer.
5. Add tapioca pearls if desired.
Making Milk Tea Method 2
1. Steep tea bag or tea leaves for 10 minutes in 1/2 cup of hot water. Then strain out tea leaves with mesh strainer.
2. Add 1/2 cup of milk.
3. Add simple syrup to taste.
4. Let cool.
5. Add tapioca pearls if desired.
Making Milk Tea Method 3
1. Steep tea bag or tea leaves for 10 minutes in 1 cup of hot water. Then strain out tea leaves with mesh strainer.
2. Mix in three teaspoons of milk powder.
3. Add simple syrup to taste.
4. Let cool.
5. Add tapioca pearls if desired.
1. Boba Bliss. Has good flavors and among the best tapioca pearls. My favorite drink here is the brown sugar tea.
2. iTea. Greater variety of flavors and toppings are included.
3. Fantasia. This one is far, but tapioca pearls are included and they have a few unique drinks. My favorite drink here is the green mango tea aiyu drink.