Delicious Boba Tea Recipe You’ll Love

 Boba tea (also known as Bubble Tea) is more than just a drink; it's an experience. That satisfying chew of the tapioca pearls combined with creamy, chilled tea is pure bliss. While it might seem like a "science experiment" when you watch them make it at a shop, you can actually whip up a professional-grade version in your own kitchen.

Here is a foolproof recipe for the most popular version: Classic Brown Sugar Milk Tea.

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🥤 Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe makes 2 large servings.

For the "Boba" (Tapioca Pearls):

• ½ cup Quick-Cooking Black Tapioca Pearls (Found at Asian grocers or online).

• 4 cups Water (for boiling).

• 2 tbsp Brown Sugar (to coat the pearls).

For the Tea Base:

• 2 cups Water.

• 4 Black Tea Bags (English Breakfast or Earl Grey work best for a strong flavor).

• 2-3 tbsp Brown Sugar or Honey (Adjust to your sweetness preference).

For Assembly:

• 1 cup Whole Milk (or oat milk for a creamy dairy-free option).

• Ice Cubes.

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brew the Tea Base

You want the tea to be strong because the milk and ice will dilute it.

• Boil 2 cups of water.

• Steep the tea bags for 5–7 minutes.

• Remove the bags, stir in your sweetener while the tea is hot, and then set it in the fridge to chill completely.

2. Cook the Pearls (The "Chew" Factor)

• Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil.

• Add the tapioca pearls. Wait for them to float to the top.

• Once floating, cook for 5 minutes (or according to the package instructions).

• Drain the pearls and immediately toss them in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. This creates a "syrup" and prevents them from sticking together.

Pro Tip: Boba is best eaten within 4 hours of cooking. Don't refrigerate the cooked pearls or they will turn hard!

3. Assemble the Drink

• The Swirl: Spoon the warm, syrupy boba into the bottom of two tall glasses. Tilt the glass so the syrup coats the sides for that "tiger stripe" look.

• The Ice: Fill the glasses about halfway with ice.

• The Pour: Pour your chilled tea over the ice, leaving about two inches of space at the top.

• The Finish: Top it off with milk.

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💡 3 Variations to Try

Once you've mastered the classic, get creative:

1. Taro Milk Tea: Use taro powder instead of black tea for a vibrant purple, cookie-flavored drink.

2. Matcha Boba: Whisk 1 tsp of ceremonial grade Matcha with hot water and swap it for the black tea.

3. Fruit Tea: Use jasmine green tea and shake it with fresh mango or strawberry puree instead of milk.

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🛠️ The "Boba Gear"

If you're going to make this often, you'll need:

• Wide Straws: You can't fit boba through a regular straw!

• A Cocktail Shaker: Shaking the tea and milk with ice creates a beautiful frothy top.