Tapioca Pearls – Boba

Tapiocal Pearls

Tapioca is a white starch extracted from the root of the cassava plant.

Cassava grows abundantly in tropical climates and as such, Tapioca is a staple food around the world, including Africa, Asia and South America.

Classic Bubble Tea Recipe – How To Make Bubble Tea
Yields: 1 X 450g drink
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min (Tapioca Pearls Cooking)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chilled, cooked large tapioca pearls (if substituting smaller tapioca, use 1/3 cup)*
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup very strong chilled black tea or Green Tea
1 cup milk or to taste
Honey or granulated sugar to taste
* See How To Cook Tapioca Pearls below.
Preparation:
Place the pearls in a large parfait glass. Combine all remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and shake vigorously until the mixture is frothy.
Pour into the glass, and serve with extra-thick straws.

How To Cook Tapioca Pearls:

Ingredients:
6 to 8 cups water (the ration is a minimum 7:1 water to tapioca pearls)
1 cup tapioca pearls
Preparation:
In a large pot (Make sure the pot is big enough so boiling tapioca water will not spill over) over high heat, add water and bring to a boil.
Slowly stir in the tapioca pearls so that they do not stick together (after 1 minute, the tapioca pearls should float). Reduce heat to medium and let boil, covered, for approximately 15 minutes; turn the heat off and let the tapioca pearls site, covered, for an additional 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from heat, rinse the tapioca pearls in cold water, and drain.
NOTE: The cooking time above is a general guideline. If you shorten the cooking time, you will get chewier tapioca balls. Cook longer and you will get less elastic tapioca balls.
Add the cooked tapioca pearl to your favourite Bubble Tea recipe.