Boba Recipe
Make Boba Recipe in just 1h 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
Brown sugar syrup (for serving & coating)
Milk Tea (example: classic black milk tea)
Method
Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
- 1
Boil water
Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
- 2
Add pearls
Add 1 cup of tapioca pearls to the boiling water. Stir gently immediately to prevent sticking.
- 3
Cook pearls
When the pearls float to the surface, reduce heat to medium, cover partially, and simmer. For standard black tapioca pearls (store-bought), simmer for 25–30 minutes; for smaller quick-cook pearls follow package instructions (commonly 5–10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.
- 4
Rest pearls
After simmering, remove from heat, cover, and let the pearls sit in the hot water for an additional 20–25 minutes (or as package directs). This finishing rest ensures a chewy center.
- 5
Rinse and drain
Strain the pearls into a colander and rinse briefly under warm running water to remove excess starch and stop cooking.
- 6
Sweeten pearls
Return the drained pearls to the saucepan or a bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons white sugar (optional) and 3 tablespoons brown sugar or 3 tablespoons of prepared brown sugar syrup. Toss gently to coat. Let sit for at least 5–10 minutes so pearls absorb the syrup and stay soft and sweet.
Brown sugar syrup (for serving & coating)
- 7
Combine sugar and water
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup packed dark brown sugar and 1 cup water. Stir to combine before heating.
- 8
Simmer syrup
Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar fully dissolves and syrup slightly thickens. Remove from heat.
- 9
Finish syrup
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, if using. Let syrup cool slightly. Reserve a few tablespoons to toss with cooked boba and the rest to sweeten drinks. Store any leftover syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Milk Tea (example: classic black milk tea)
- 10
Brew strong tea
Bring 2 cups water to a near boil. Add 2 tablespoons black tea leaves (or 2 teabags). Steep for 5–7 minutes to make a strong brew. Taste after 5 minutes and steep longer if you prefer stronger tea. Remove tea leaves/tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly (5 minutes).
- 11
Sweeten and cream
While the tea is still warm, stir in 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (optional) or 1–3 tablespoons granulated sugar to taste until dissolved. Add 1 cup milk or creamer and mix until combined. Chill the milk tea in the refrigerator briefly or let it come to room temperature before assembling with ice.
- 12
Assemble drink
Spoon 1/4–1/3 cup of prepared boba into the bottom of a glass. Add 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar syrup around the sides or on top of the pearls for the classic 'tiger' look. Fill the glass with ice (about 1 cup), pour 8–10 ounces (about 1 to 1 1/4 cups) of the milk tea over the ice and pearls, and gently stir. Taste and add additional syrup or sweetener if desired.
- 13