Want to make boba tea at home and skip the long lines at your favorite tea shop? You’re in luck! This blog post will walk you through the process, step by step. Get ready to impress your friends (and your taste buds) with homemade boba tea!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make a classic boba tea at home, gather the following ingredients:

For the Tapioca Pearls:

• 1 cup of tapioca starch
• ½ cup water
• Brown sugar (for cooking and sweetening)

For the Tea Base:

• 2 tea bags of black tea (or 2 tbsp loose-leaf tea)
• 2 cups of water
• Sweetener (sugar, honey, or flavored syrup)

For the Milk:

• ½ cup milk (whole milk, almond, or oat milk)
• Ice cubes

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Boba Tea

1. Make the Tapioca Pearls (Boba)

Making tapioca pearls from scratch is simpler than it sounds, but you can also buy pre-made pearls from Asian grocery stores.

Steps:

1. In a small pot, bring ½ cup of water to a boil. Slowly add tapioca starch and stir until it forms a dough-like consistency.
2. Let the dough cool slightly, then knead it for a couple of minutes until it’s smooth.
3. Divide the dough into small, pearl-sized balls (about the size of a marble).
4. Boil water in a large pot and add the tapioca balls. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, until they rise to the surface and become translucent.
5. Transfer the cooked pearls to a bowl of cold water to cool them down.
6. Sweeten the pearls by soaking them in a brown sugar syrup (boil equal parts sugar and water to make the syrup).

2. Brew the Tea

While your pearls are cooking, you can brew the tea.

Steps:

1. Boil 2 cups of water and steep your tea bags or loose-leaf tea for 5-7 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea leaves. Allow the tea to cool.

3. Sweeten the Tea

After brewing, sweeten the tea to taste. You can add sugar, honey, or flavored syrup depending on your preference. Stir until the sweetener is dissolved.

4. Assemble the Boba Tea

Now comes the fun part—putting it all together!

Steps:

1. Add a few spoonfuls of cooked tapioca pearls into the bottom of a glass.
2. Pour in ice cubes to fill about 1/3 of the glass.
3. Add your cooled tea, leaving some room at the top.
4. Pour in your milk of choice to create that signature creaminess.
5. Give it a good stir and pop in a thick straw (necessary to sip up the boba).

Tips & Variations

1. Flavor Variations: Switch up the tea base! Try green tea, jasmine tea, or oolong for a different flavor. You can also add fruit juices or flavored syrups like mango, strawberry, or taro.

2. Non-Dairy Options: If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, no worries! Use almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk for a creamy, dairy-free boba.

3. Make-Ahead: If you want to save time, you can cook the tapioca pearls in advance and refrigerate them. Just reheat them in a little bit of syrup or hot water before using.

4. Store-Bought Pearls: If making pearls from scratch seems intimidating, store-bought tapioca pearls are a great alternative. Just follow the instructions on the package for cooking times.

FAQ

Q: How long do homemade tapioca pearls last?
A: Homemade tapioca pearls are best consumed within 4-6 hours after cooking. If left out too long, they will harden and lose their chewy texture.

Q: Can I use flavored tea?
A: Absolutely! Flavored teas like chai, matcha, or fruity blends add an extra layer of flavor to your boba tea.

Q: Is boba tea caffeinated?
A: It depends on the tea base you use. Black, green, or oolong teas will have caffeine, but you can opt for herbal or fruit teas for a caffeine-free option.

Q: Can I add other toppings to my boba tea?
A: Yes! Along with tapioca pearls, you can add toppings like grass jelly, pudding, or popping boba for an extra fun texture.