How to Make Bubble Tea: Recipe and Ingredient

Bubble Tea harmoniously blends tea's aroma with tapioca pearls' chewy texture into a delightful culinary journey. We expertly fuse tea leaves' rich flavor with milk tea's creaminess, finished with bouncy pearls.

In this article, the notable bubble tea ingredient supplier, Ye Cheng Chang Mim, will guide you in making bubble tea to suit your taste, preparing a luscious milk tea base, and perfectly cooking tender yet crispy tapioca pearls.

Our goal is to immerse you in tea culture while teaching you to craft bubble tea, allowing you to experience the satisfaction of culinary innovation. Join us on this flavorful cultural expedition whether you're a tea devotee or an amateur.

What is Bubble Tea?

Bubble Tea: A Sweet and Chewy Beverage

This bubble-filled wonder, known as boba, pearl milk tea, or countless other regional names, has swept the globe. No matter what you call it, its appeal is undeniable.

Bubble tea starts with a canvas of tea leaves - oolong, black, green, or your brew of choice. This fragrant base meets creamy milk and then gets a touch of sweetness to create a dreamy milk tea. The star of the show? Chewy tapioca pearls, lovingly called boba, add a delightful pop of texture to every sip.

Bubble tea isn't just a thirst quencher; it's a symbol of social connection for the young generation. Sharing a vibrant cup is sharing joy, creativity, and the infectious "pop, pop, pop" of those irresistible pearls.

What are Tapioca Pearls?

Tapioca pearls, or boba, are opaque, chewy orbs made from cassava flour, tapioca starch. This Taiwanese culinary innovation is integral to bubble tea.

These tantalizing spheres are made by mixing tapioca starch and water into a dough, sculpting it into tiny balls, and gently cooking it until perfectly tender. They are then cooled and ready for any culinary adventure.

The pearls absorb flavors like sweetened sugar or syrup. Beyond bubble tea, they lend a delightful texture to smoothies and shakes. As a source of carbohydrates and fiber, the pearls provide sustenance while contrasting drinks texturally. They also deliver iron and potassium.

Savor tapioca pearls’ symphony of tastes and mouthfeels – each bite delights!

Properties of Tapioca Pearls 

Tapioca pearls

Making tapioca pearls involves mixing tapioca starch and water to form a sticky dough and then cutting the dough into small balls. After cooking, the pearls become chewy and soft and typically turn a translucent appearance. During the cooking process, tapioca pearls are often flavored with syrup or other flavorings to give them a unique taste.

Tapioca pearls are often added to bubble, boba, and other beverages, providing a chewy and textural layer that satisfies people's taste buds while enjoying the drink.

As a result, tapioca pearls are trendy in bubble tea shops in many Asian regions, becoming an essential element of bubble tea beverages.

The Origin of Bubble Tea

Back in the 1980s, a tea shop owner named Lin Hsin-hui had a dream in the lively city of Taichung, Taiwan. She wanted to create a drink that everyone loved, young and old. It’s fun and exciting for kids but still yummy and satisfying for older folks. She experimented with different tea milks and even added chewy balls made from tapioca! And guess what? She succeeded! Her new drink became a huge hit, and we all know it today as bubble tea, or sometimes, boba tea!

Bubble Tea Ingredients

• Tea: The base of bubble tea is tea. You can use any tea, such as black, green, oolong, or fruit. The most common choices are black tea and oolong tea. Black tea has a bold, rich flavor, while oolong tea has a more complex, nuanced flavor.
• Milk: Milk adds creaminess and sweetness to bubble tea. Whole milk is the most common choice, but soy, almond, or other dairy alternatives can also be used. Soy milk is a good choice for people with lactose intolerance. Almond milk is a good choice for people who are vegan or have nut allergies.
• Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to bubble tea. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to your taste. You can use sugar syrup, granulated sugar, or honey.
• Tapioca pearls: Tapioca pearls are the signature ingredient of bubble tea. They are made from tapioca starch and become chewy when cooked. They also absorb the flavor of the tea and milk.
• Ice: Ice cools down bubble tea. It is also an excellent way to dilute the sweetness of the drink.
• Other flavorings (optional): You can add other herbs, such as vanilla extract, herbal tea, coconut milk, or caramel, to enhance the flavor of bubble tea.

Bubble Tea Recipe

Required Bubble Tea Ingredient

• Tea leaves (Oolong, Black Tea, Green Tea, etc., according to your preference)
• Choose your creamy canvas: milk, creamer, or plant-based options like soy, coconut, or oat milk.
• Tapioca pearls (tapioca balls)
• Sugar (syrup or granulated sugar)
• Ice cubes (optional, can also be served as a hot drink)

Steps to Make Bubble Tea

Cooking the Pearls 

1. Follow the proportion of 1 cup of pearls to 10 cups of water. When the water boils, add the pearls to the boiling water.
2. Continue simmering on medium-low heat for about 20-30 minutes until they float, then turn off the heat and let them steep for 30 minutes (handling time may differ based on the size of the pearls).
3. Strain the cooked pearls and rinse them twice with potable water, then add a suitable amount of granulated sugar or syrup (honey can also be used) to keep them moist. Alternatively, they can be placed in cold water.

Tea Base 

Prepare your favorite tea leaves, either tea bags or loose leaves. Brew the tea according to the instructions, typically boiling water, then strain the leaves. Chill the tea however you like: naturally to room temperature or with a refreshing ice blast.

Preparing the Milk Tea

1. Add a suitable amount of sugar to a cup, according to your taste.
2. Pour in the brewed tea.
3. Add a fair amount of milk, creamer, or a non-dairy alternative.
4. Use a long spoon or a special bubble tea stirrer to gently mix the milk tea, ensuring the sugar and milk are evenly dispersed.

Adding Pearls 

1. Add the cooked pearls to the milk tea. Stir evenly with a long spoon to distribute the pearls throughout the tea.
2. Adding Ice Cubes (Optional for Cold Drink)
3. Add ice cubes to the milk tea if you prefer a cold drink.

The above is a simple recipe for bubble tea. You can adjust the amount of sugar, tea type, and milk according to your taste to create the perfect bubble tea.

Essential Notes While Making 

1. Ensure the pearls are chewy but not overcooked.
2. Practice proper hygiene by washing hands and cleaning the work area.
3. Freshness is critical for maximum flavor and quality.
4. Adjust the amount of sugar to personal liking, avoiding excessive sweetness.
5. Choose the type of milk based on personal preference, including dairy or non-dairy alternatives.
6. Store any leftover pearls in sugar water to maintain their texture and taste.
7. For cooling hot bubble tea, use the refrigerator or add ice cubes. Be careful not to dilute the tea.
8. Use a wide enough straw to allow pearls to pass through without clogging.
9. Keep utensils clean to prevent residue and stains.

Where do You Find Bubble Tea Ingredient Suppliers?

Bubble tea is a popular beverage with various flavors and variations to suit different tastes. We have provided the core knowledge of making bubble tea. Whether made in a tea shop or at home, making bubble tea can be a delightful experience, allowing people to enjoy the drink while savoring its delicious and rich flavor.

If you are looking for an ingredient for bubble tea, we are a notable ingredient supplier in Taiwan. When making a cup of bubble tea, Ye Cheng Chang Mim can help you start with the raw materials, providing hands-on teaching (one-on-one is also acceptable) to help you blend a unique bubble tea with your particular flavor. Whether you're a newbie or a professional tea lover, our expert guidance will enhance your bubble tea experience. Contact us and uncover the joy of crafting the perfect bubble tea.