In this post, I will share how to make perfect boba pearls (tapioca pearls) from scratch. I will provide the ingredients, tips, and easy boba-making process. Dive in and enjoy!
how to make perfect boba pearls (tapioca pearls) from scratch
I know, we can always buy Tapioca pearls in the store, and it will make your life easier, but where’s the thrill of doing that? By doing so, you will feel proud and accomplished and have the bragging rights under your belt. Creating Boba Pearls at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, as you can customize their texture and flavor. The above boba pearls are brown sugar flavors with a black color, making them look similar to those we often get in the stores. The pictures below are made with a natural mixture of tapioca starch, water, and sugar.
I have to be honest. You will use your arm muscles, and it does take a while to make it, but try it once.
Ingredients for Homemade Boba Pearls
- Tapioca Starch: The critical ingredient for boba pearls.
- Water: Essential for forming the dough.
- Brown Sugar: For flavor and color.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Boba Pearls
Preparing the Dough
- Place a one-third cup of water in the bowl. Add two tablespoons of Tapioca Starch and mix.
- Microwave the mixture for one and a half minutes until it turns sticky, as shown in the image below. Add one-half cup of tapioca and knead until the dough doesn’t stick to your palms, and it will be easy to form into a ball. I added one cup to get the right dough consistency
Shaping the Boba Pearls
- Roll the Dough– kneading the doough is time consuming. You want a dough that doesn’t stick in your plam and is easy to handle. In order to achieve the said texture, add tapioca flour one tablespoon at a time.
- Cut and Shape- when you have achieved the right consistency, pull a small amount of the dough and form it into a ball. Don’t make the ball too large; you want it to fit in the straw.
- Dust with Starch: Ensure you lightly dust the pearls with tapioca starch to prevent sticking.
Cooking the Boba Pearls
- Boil Water– put five cups of water in the pot and let it boil.
- Add Boba Pearls: Carefully add the pearls to the boiling water. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pearls to the boiling water. Don’t just dump the whole batch of pearls into the boiling water. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook Time: The pearls will float and from that, cook the Tapioca for twenty five -minutes. Boil until the pearls become translucent and chewy. Add more water if necessary and stir gently to prevent the pearls from sticking at the bottom.
- Strain and Rinse: Remove from heat and rinse the pearls with cold water and transfer to a container. This process prevents the boba pearls from sticking.
Sweetening the Boba Pearls
- To prepare sugar syrup, mix brown sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Cook the mixture for ten minutes on low heat.
- Soak Pearls in Syrup: Drain the cooked boba pearls and transfer them into the sugar syrup. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Boba Pearls
- Classic Milk Tea: Combine boba pearls with black tea, milk, and ice.
- Fruit Teas: Add boba to fruity teas like passion fruit or mango tea.
- Desserts: Use boba pearls as a topping for ice cream or in sweet soups.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Pearls Too Hard: In this recipe, one-third cup of water is enough to make a chewy boba pearl. Also, ensure the water is boiling before adding the pearls. If needed, extend the cooking and soaking times.
- Pearls Falling Apart: The dough might be too dry. Adjust by adding a small amount of water. Dumping the whole batch in the boiling water can damage the dough, so add the pearls a small amount at a time. Then stir gently to prevent the pearls from sticking.
- Uneven Texture: When shaping the pearls, maintain a consistent size. Stir during cooking to prevent sticking and uneven cooking.
How to Store
- Store the boba pearls in the syrup overnight.
- Refrigerate overnight and mix until ready to use.
- I highly suggest using the whole batch immediately, as the pearls tend to harden.
how to make perfect boba pearls (tapioca pearls) from scratch
Equipment
- 1 medium-sized pot for cooking the pearls
- 1 utensil for mixing
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 11/2 tbsp tapioca starch
- 1/8 tsp black food color,optional
Make the Dough
- 1/2 cup plus more Tapioca Starch
Instructions
- Place water, food color, if using, and sugar in a medium-sized bowl and mix until the sugar is dissolved. Add one-and-a-half of tapioca starch and mix to combine. Microwave for one minute or more until sticky as shown in the photo above. This takes one minute and thirty seconds to two minutes.
- Remove from the microwave and add one-half cup of tapioca starch. Mix using a spoon and add more tapioca starch. I add the tapioca starch one tablespoon at a time until the mixture is easy to handle. Transfer the dough to a flat surface and continue to knead until it does not stick to the palm of your hand.
Roll the Dough
- Kneading the dough is time-consuming. You want a dough that is easy to handle and doesn't stick to your palm. To achieve this texture, add tapioca flour one tablespoon at a time until you have achieved the right consistency to be able to pull a small amount of the dough and form it into a ball. Don’t make the ball too large, as you want it to fit in the straw.
- Ensure that you lightly dust the pearls with tapioca starch to prevent sticking.
Cooking the Boba Pearls
- Boil Water– put five cups of water in the pot and let it boil.
- Add Boba Pearls: Carefully add the pearls to the boiling water. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pearls to the boiling water. Don’t just dump the whole batch of pearls into the boiling water. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook Time: The pearls will float; from that, cook the Tapioca for 25 minutes. Boil until the pearls become translucent and chewy. Add more water if necessary and stir gently to prevent the pearls from sticking at the bottom.
- Strain and Rinse: Remove the pearls from heat. Rinse them with cold water and transfer them to a container. This process prevents the boba pearls from sticking.
Sweetening the Boba Pearls
- Mix brown sugar and water in a saucepan to prepare sugar Syrup. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Cook the mixture for ten minutes on low heat
- Drain the cooked boba pearls and transfer them into the sugar syrup. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavor.
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