How to Make Tapioca Pearls (Boba) | Bubble Tea

Step 1

Boil 60ml of water and add 30g of brown sugar.

Step 2

Once it is well incorporated and bubbling, turn the heat off. Add half of the tapioca starch and mix well.

Step 3

While the mixture is still hot, slowly add the rest of the starch flour in increments and mix well again. A slightly sticky dough should form. Allow the mixture to slightly cool before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4

On a flat surface, knead the dough. Sprinkle some of the flour and roll out the mixture to about 1-1.5cm thick.

Step 5

Using a knife, cut these into 1.5cm by 1.5cm squares.

Step 6

Roll these in your hand into small ball shapes. Cover in some dry tapioca starch to avoid the balls from sticking to each other.

Step 7

Boil 8 cups of water and add the dry tapioca pearls. Allow this to cook on for 6-8 minutes on medium-high heat.

Step 8

Turn to low heat and allow this to cook for another 5-10 minutes. Remove the tapioca pearls from the boiling water once these begin to float to the surface.

Step 9

In another pot, boil 20ml of water and 20g of brown sugar for 5 minutes and reduce to a syrup.

Step 10

Add the boba immediately to an ice bath for 1 minute.

Step 11

Put the tapioca pearls into the prepared brown sugar syrup on low heat. Allow this to steep for at least 6-8 minutes or until the syrup thickens to a desired consistency. Stir occasionally. This can be immediately added to hot drinks. For cold drinks, allow the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes before assembling.