If you want to learn how to make taro bubble tea, then you are going to need to prepare the tapioca pearls, taro mix, and the tea. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry!
Below, you can find a step bzzzy step guide to the ingredients and the actual process. So, let’s get started!
Contents
- Taro Root: for the most authentic taste, you should use actual taro root. This makes the drink healthier and a lot creamier too.
- Taro Powder: if you don’t want to go through all the hassle of preparing the taro root, then you can simply substitute it for ready-made taro root powder instead. This ingredient is often pre-sweetened and lets a darker purple color to the drink as well.
- Tapioca Pearls
- Tea of Choice: black tea is the most common option for bubble tea. However, if you prefer green tea, you can use this type as well.
- Sugar
- Water
- Honey
- Condensed Milk
- Milk: you can use dairy or plant-based milk in the recipe.
- Water
- Ice
OK, now let’s go down to business.
All in all, this is a pretty simple recipe. However, since there may be a few unfamiliar tasks – such as preparing the tapioca pearls and cooking the taro – you should follow the steps carefully.
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Serves 1 Drink
For the Tapioca Pearls
For the Taro Mix
For the Tea
You will need to begin by preparing the tapioca pearls. Keep in mind that each brand will have its own set of instructions. So, make sure to stick to the steps provided to you.
Bring a cup of water to boil and add the dehydrated tapioca pearls. Let it boil for one to two minutes or until the pearls begin to float.
Take the tapioca pearls off the heat and allow the pearls to soak in the water for about 10 minutes.
The tapioca pearls need to be soaked in syrup to give them some sweetness.
To prepare the syrup, add the sugar and water into a pan and heat it until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Add honey to this mix and then place it in a bowl or a jar.
Drain the tapioca pearls and place them in the simple sugar syrup and honey for at least an hour.
* You can skip this step if you are using taro root powder
Peel the taro root and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
Bring a pot of water to boil and add the taro root. Boil the taro root until it is soft.
Drain the taro root and allow it to cool.
Heat the water. If you are using black tea leaves, then heat the water to 195 – 205°F. In case you are using green tea leaves, heat the water to 170 - 180°F.
For black tea, allow the leaves or bag to steep for 2 to 3 minutes. With green tea, drain leaves or remove the teabag after 1 minute.
Typically, you should allow the teas to steep for a little longer than this. However, since you are making bubble tea, you don’t want the tea flavor to overcome that of the taro.
Add the taro root cube (or taro root powder), condensed milk, and milk into a blender and combine well until all the ingredients are liquefied.
Add the tea and ice and blend well together once more.
Add tapioca pearls into a glass and then pour in the taro mix. Add ice if desired.
Voila, you are done!
If this is your first time experimenting with taro bubble tea, you may be wondering what the taro bubble tea flavor might be like.
Now, this is a little tricky to describe, of course. However, it has a slightly nutty taste and is very creamy in texture. Naturally, when you add in all that milk and sugar, the drink ends up being pretty sweet too!
This is largely based on your preference. If you want a creamier drink, then the taro root is the way to go. On the other hand, if you would like a more vivid or sweeter concoction, then taro powder is more suitable.
As mentioned, you absolutely can use any kind of milk that you want – dairy, almond, coconut, etc. However, be aware that this will alter the taste of the drink in general.
Also, if you want the taste of the taro to really shine through, don’t choose a milk with an overwhelming flavor.
Yes, you can make this recipe vegan-friendly. All you need to do is skip the honey and use plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk.
To maintain the sweetness of the drink, just swap out condensed milk for vegan condensed milk – you can make your own or buy some.
So, there you have it – your very own taro bubble tea recipe! What did you think ¬– was it easy to follow?
In the long run, making taro bubble tea this way is a lot easier on your pocket. And, since you have total control over what goes into your drink, you can even make it a bit healthier!
