WHAT IS BUBBLE TEA?

Bubble tea is a delightful beverage that is made of black tea, milk, ice, and chewy tapioca pearls. It is a unique Asian twist on the traditional drink, with its own historical origin, diverse varieties, and its ability to be made at home.

HISTORICAL ORIGIN

The exact origin of bubble tea is disputed as there is no single confirmed story as to how it came to be. All the stories that have been shared, however, have some similarities. They all originate from teahouses in Taiwan during the 1980s, likely spurred on by the success of the drink. Inspiration for the drink came from classic summer Taiwanese snacks such as shaved ice, which often use tapioca pearls, and shops in Taiwan which have long been serving cold tea with milk and sugar.

DIVERSE VARIETIES

The varieties of bubble tea are endless, and often do not even include tea! A few of these are fruit juices, fruit milk, coffee, and salted cream. Along with these, there are several toppings besides tapioca pearls that can be used, such as grass jelly, sago, taro balls, egg pudding, popping pearls, crystal pearls (agar boba), and coffee jelly.

WHY MAKE IT AT HOME?

There are many great reasons to make bubble tea at home, such as avoiding harmful ingredients, saving money, and controlling the calorie count. Additionally, homemade tapioca pearl drinks can be more versatile in flavour and type than those bought from shops, and making your own allows you to fine-tune the ingredients and their amounts to best fit your taste buds.

TEA

The two main components of bubble tea are the tapioca pearls and the tea. The most common types of tea used by shops are Assam, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong, and Ceylon. Green tea, such as matcha, hojicha, and jasmine, can also be used as a refreshing alternative. Quality is important, and the usual method of preparation is warm brewing.

COLD BREW

Cold brewing (or Japanese mizudashi) is a great alternative to normal brewing, as it makes for a sweeter, less caffeinated brew. This method is uncommon when it comes to bubble tea recipes, but it can be a refreshing twist on classic black or green tea. To cold brew, add the tea to a large pitcher which fits inside the refrigerator, and let it brew for around 12 hours inside the fridge (this works best overnight). Once this has been brewed, strain out the used leaves or bags, and the infusion is now ready to drink.

OTHER THAN TEA

Tea aside, some other “foundational” liquids can have boba pearls added to them. These include coffee boba, cocoa, fresh milk (with fruit purees or juices mixed in), and fruit drinks. Additionally, milk, plant-based or dairy, is a key ingredient in bubble tea, as well as ice cubes.

INGREDIENTS

Milk Bubble Tea Ingredients (Per Beverage):

• 1 cup black, green, or flavored tea of choice, cooled (per beverage);
• ½ cup milk, plant-based or dairy; 4-5
• ice cubes.

Coffee Boba Ingredients (Per Beverage):

• 1 cup strong coffee, cooled;
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup (optional);
• ½ cup milk, plant-based or dairy; 4-5
• ice cubes.

Tapioca Pearl Ingredients (Per Beverage):

• 3 cups water;
• ⅓ cup quick-cooking dried (boba) tapioca pearls;
• 1 teaspoon of maple syrup,
• honey or sugar.

Fruit-flavored Blended Boba Ingredients (Per Beverage):

• 1 cup fresh fruit (berries, peaches, bananas, etc.);
• ½ cup milk, plant-based or dairy;
• 1-2 scoops ice cream of choice.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make tea or coffee with optional chocolate syrup and set aside to cool. In a medium saucepan (or larger if making more than one serving), bring the water to a boil over high heat.
2. Add the tapioca and stir gently until they begin to float to the top. Turn heat to medium and cover the pot. Simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Turn off heat, but leave the pan covered for 3 minutes. Test a pearl to see if it is soft enough for your preference. If not, recover pan and let sit for two more minutes.
4. Drain tapioca and place in a WHAT IS BUBBLE TEA? bowl. Add your preferred sweetener. Toss gently to cover.
5. If making the fruit-flavored boba drink, place the fruit, milk, and ice cream in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add a small amount of additional milk to thin, if desired.

To assemble beverage, place the tapioca in a large glass. Add the tea, coffee, or blended beverage to the glass. Serve immediately with a wide straw and a spoon.

NOTES

Tapioca must be used immediately, or within 2 hours. If the pearls sit for longer, they will become mushy. If you refrigerate them, they become hard. Be creative. You can use any beverage recipe and add tapioca pearls to the bottom of your beverage glass to make a bubble drink. Consider trying some of our recipes to make additional boba beverages.