Homemade Black Tea Bubble Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls Recipe
This classic homemade boba milk tea recipe features chewy tapioca pearls cooked to perfection, brewed robust black tea, and a sweet brown sugar syrup. Enjoy a refreshing, customizable bubble tea experience made from scratch with simple ingredients, perfect for a delightful treat or refreshing beverage anytime.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients
Tapioca Pearls
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup dried tapioca pearls
Tea
- 8 bags black tea (Ceylon, Assam, or English Breakfast)
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or non-dairy), plus more to taste
- Ice
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls: Bring 3 1/2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Carefully add 1 cup of dried tapioca pearls to the boiling water, stirring gently to prevent sticking. When the water returns to a boil, reduce heat to a gentle boil and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check the pearls for softness after 15 minutes and continue cooking up to 15 more minutes if needed. When cooked to your liking, remove from heat, cover, and let sit in the cooking liquid for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
- Brew the Tea: While the pearls cook, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and steep 8 black tea bags in the hot water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags after steeping.
- Make the Brown Sugar Simple Syrup: Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Assemble the Boba Milk Tea: Scoop the cooked tapioca pearls into 4 glasses using a slotted spoon. Add 1 cup brewed black tea to each glass, followed by 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar syrup per glass to taste. Add ice and stir well. Adjust milk and syrup amounts according to your preference before serving.
Notes
- Cooking times for tapioca pearls may vary depending on brand and size; quick-cook pearls require shorter cooking times, so follow package instructions accordingly.
- Use whole milk or alternative non-dairy milks such as almond or oat milk for different flavor profiles.
- Brown sugar syrup can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Adjust the sweetness and milk ratio to suit your personal taste for the perfect cup every time.
- Stir tapioca pearls occasionally while cooking to prevent clumping and sticking to the pan.