Name: Homemade Taro Bubble Tea with Tapioca Pearls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients: ½ cup uncooked tapioca pearls (boba); 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for coating the pearls); 3 tablespoons taro powder (high-quality brand recommended); ½ cup hot water (to dissolve the taro powder); ½ cup milk (whole milk preferred, oat milk as alternative); 1–2 teaspoons sweetener (condensed milk or simple syrup, optional); 1 cup ice

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Introduction

Taro Bubble Tea is a vibrant, creamy drink known for its distinctive purple hue and sweet, nutty flavor. Popular in bubble tea shops worldwide, this delicious beverage combines chewy tapioca pearls with a smooth taro-flavored base. Making it at home is easy and lets you customize the sweetness and creaminess to your liking.

A clear cup filled with a layered purple drink, starting from the bottom with black tapioca pearls, followed by a cloudy mix of light and dark purple swirls, topped with a frothy, thicker purple layer with ice cubes visible inside. A transparent straw is placed in the cup, and it sits on a white tray against a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 tablespoons taro powder (high-quality brand recommended)
½ cup hot water (to dissolve the powder)

½ cup milk (whole milk for creaminess or oat milk as a dairy-free alternative)
½ cup uncooked tapioca pearls (boba)

1–2 teaspoons sweetener (condensed milk or simple syrup, optional)
1 cup ice

1 tablespoon brown sugar (for coating the pearls)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the ½ cup of tapioca pearls and wait until they float to the surface. Cover the pot and simmer for 5–7 minutes, or follow the package instructions precisely to avoid overcooked or undercooked pearls.
Step 2: Drain the cooked pearls, leaving a small amount of water. Stir in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar while the pearls are still hot to prevent sticking and add caramel flavor. Let them sit for a few minutes to absorb the sugar.

Step 3: In a shaker or glass, mix the 3 tablespoons of taro powder with ½ cup of hot water. Stir or shake vigorously until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
Step 4: Place the sweetened tapioca pearls into a serving glass. Add 1 cup of ice, then pour in ½ cup of milk.
Step 5: Pour the taro mixture over the milk and ice. Watch the beautiful purple swirls blend with the milk.

Step 6: Stir the drink thoroughly with a wide boba straw and enjoy your homemade taro bubble tea.

Tips & Variations

Use coconut milk instead of dairy for a tropical taro coconut tea twist.
For a warm drink, skip the ice and serve as a hot taro latte by steaming the milk.

Try a matcha-taro swirl by combining half taro milk tea with half matcha latte for a unique flavor and colorful presentation.
Always cook tapioca pearls in boiling water; do not add them to cold water to avoid dissolving them prematurely.
Consume cooked pearls within 4 hours for the best chewy texture; they harden over time.

Storage

Store uncooked tapioca pearls in an airtight container in a cool, dark place; do not refrigerate as moisture will spoil them. Keep taro powder sealed tightly to prevent clumping. Cooked pearls are best eaten fresh but can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours. To reheat, briefly warm the pearls in hot water before adding to your drink.

How to Serve

The image shows a clear glass filled with a layered purple drink. At the bottom, there are black tapioca pearls that are round and shiny. Above the pearls, the drink has a gradient effect, starting with a deep purple at the bottom that blends smoothly into a lighter purple color near the top. Some white ice cubes float inside the glass, visible through the drink. A white straw is placed in the middle, sticking out of the glass. The glass sits on a white tray with a small white bowl beside it, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh taro instead of taro powder?

Yes, fresh taro can be steamed and mashed to make a natural taro paste, which results in a more earthy flavor and pale color. However, it requires more prep and the drink won’t have the bright purple hue or the sweet “cookies and cream” flavor of taro powder.

How can I make my bubble tea less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, use less taro powder or choose an unsweetened brand. Omit or reduce added sweeteners like condensed milk or simple syrup. Using milk alternatives with lower sugar content can also help balance the drink.