Easy Fresh Bubble Tea In 10 Minutes | Boba Tea Recipe

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The latest trendy beverage to take the world by storm is bubble tea. But what do you need to know about this delicious beverage and how to make bubble tea at home? Making bubble tea at home lets you cut costs, adjust the quantity of sugar used, select dairy or dairy-free milk, add tea or not, and create a selection of numerous other bubble tea variations.

WHAT IS BUBBLE TEA?

In case you've never heard of it, this excellent beverage is an Asian version of the classic beverage. A mixture of black tea, milk, ice, and chewy tapioca pearls are used to make this delicious bubble tea.

HISTORY of bubble tea

The tea-based beverage known as "bubble tea" first appeared in Taiwan in the 1980s. There isn't a single verified origin story for this drink. It is generally given in a sealed plastic cup with an extra-long straw, along with sweetened milk and chewy tapioca balls.

SEVERAL VARIETIES


There are countless variations of bubble tea, many of which do not even contain tea! Fruit juices, fruit milk, coffee, and salted cream are a few examples. In addition to these, a variety of toppings outside tapioca pearls can be added.

tea

For a delicious drink, a beverage must be well brewed! Tapioca pearls and tea are of course the essential ingredients of bubble tea. In general, most restaurants use popular tea types in boba drinks. Souchong, Assam, Darjeeling, Lapsang, and Ceylon are some of the unique varieties that are used.

can you use green tea for bubble tea?

Green tea, such as matcha, is a rare basis for bubble tea in stores, but it can be a refreshing substitute for milky, sweet, caffeine-filled drinks. Matcha and jasmine green teas are the most popular types.

MILK

Whole cow's milk is typically used in traditional bubble tea. In Southeast Asia, soy milk and condensed milk are both popular beverages. There are numerous additional non-dairy milk alternatives available in the US and Europe. Almond milk, oat milk, and others are among them. The tastes of each of the mentioned milk are unique and different.

TAPIOCA PEARLS (BOBA PEARLS)

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This sets bubble tea apart from other varieties of milk tea. These are available for purchase online or can be made from home using tapioca starch and other ingredients. Making your own tapioca pearls allows you to control the flavor and save expenses. On the other hand, purchasing them online is more practical.

TIPS FOR MAKING BUBBLE TEA

  • The cooked tapioca balls can be steeped in the mixture for 30 minutes to absorb the flavor or slowly braised in the brown sugar caramel for more flavor.
  • Since cooked boba only has a 3-hour shelf life, just cook as much as you will be serving.
  • Make sure the boba pearls are fresh because they lose their chewy texture as they chill and stiffen, making them less stable.
  • Never put cooked boba in the fridge; only drink fresh boba. Boba will harden more quickly the longer they are left in a refrigerator.
  • The wonderful part about homemade boba tea is that you can adjust it to your preferences by changing the sweetness, the amount of ice, or even the type of tea.
  • Honey, caster sugar, light-brown sugar, date syrup, or agave syrup can all be used in place of sugar syrup.
  • Add the tea, syrup, milk, and ice to a shaker and shake for 6 seconds if you want a frothy effect. After that, pour everything into the glass along with the boba syrup.
  • If you prefer milk with a more creamy flavor, use milk alone.

INGREDIENTS



HOW TO MAKE BUBBLE TEA

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STEP 1: STEEP THE TEA

Just bring water to a boil. Fill a teapot with the black tea leaves (tea bags), add the water, and let it steep for a few minutes.

Cold brew method: Pour cool water over the tea at the bottom of a jug to make iced tea. Leave it to brew for 10 to 12 hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator. To get the most flavor out of the tea, I suggest adding an extra spoonful or two.

STEP 2: PREPARE THE BOBA

If you're using tapioca balls from the store, you'll need to first prepare and cook them. If you're using quick-cook boba pearls (ready in 20 seconds), prepare them by following the instructions on the package. To keep them from sticking, stir them occasionally. Once cooked, drain and place in a bowl of ice water right away, or keep under cold running water.

STEP 3: GET THE BROWN SUGAR SYRUP READY

Heat a small pot over medium heat adding the water and brown sugar. When the brown sugar is boiling and totally dissolved, stir it occasionally. Then simmer for an additional 3–4 minutes to slightly thicken. Add the cooked tapioca balls to the syrup and mix gently.

STEP 4: Peprape THE BROWN SUGAR MILK TEA

Add the brown sugar and boba mixture to the bottom of a tall glass (similar to a latte glass). You can also use mason jars along with straw, it will look great on your food pics as well. After that, pour your preferred milk over top. Then thoroughly whisk, and enjoy it. 

For a hot day, you can prepare a cold brew as well. Yes, bubble tea suits for entir years despite of the season!



BUBBLE TEA KIT

Royal Black Tea

Microwave-Heated Bubble Tea Drink



WAYS TO ADJUST THIS BUBBLE TEA

  • Alternative tea: Green tea or oolong tea can be used in place of black tea.
  • No tea: Just skip the tea totally and combine the tapioca balls, brown sugar syrup, and milk.
  • No milk: You can indeed drink this bubble tea without milk for a stronger flavor.
  • Sweetener: Use white sugar, honey, agave, date syrup, or other sweeteners in place of brown sugar syrup.
  • Coffee jelly: It would be an excellent additional treat for the brown sugar boba tea

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS for bubble tea

The black tea: The tea can be steeped up to three days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Though it is legally fine for a maximum of five days, the finest aroma and freshness are found during the first three.

The milk tea:  It can also be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.

Tapioca pearls: Your own uncooked tapioca balls can be prepared and stored up to 6 months in advance.  You can keep leftover tapioca balls in the sugar syrup in the refrigerator for almost a day.  if you overcook the texture gradually changes and they are unappealing to consume. 

Brown sugar syrup: Simple syrups can be made and kept in the refrigerator for a few (3–4) weeks.

For the greatest flavor and texture, especially of the tapioca balls, it is recommended to consume the brown sugar boba tea right away after it has been fully prepared.

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Is bubble tea good for you?

In restaurants, bubble tea is typically made with heavy cream and is loaded with sugar. The quantity of sugar that is used when preparing this boba milk tea recipe at home can be changed. You can simply transform it into a healthier treat by being able to use the milk of your choosing.

Is there caffeine in bubble tea?

There is no requirement for tea just because the drink is called bubble tea. To add more flavor and texture, you can use decaf tea or even remove the tea entirely (as in most boba recipes).

What is the difference between boba tea and bubble tea?

They go by many names depending on where they are, but they are the exact same thing.

You may like to read: Homemade Indian Masala Chai Recipe