So, I have recently been experimenting with making my own boba for Bubble Tea and other drinks at home. I got absolutely hooked on the stuff a few years ago but was never really a fan of all the plastic (the bubble tea shops in my area use a plastic cup, wrapper, and straw). It is a time-consuming process, and you might have to do a little experimentation to get it just right, but that is half the fun!
Here is what you will need for the boba balls:
· 1-2 cups of Tapioca flour also known as tapioca starch
· ¼ - ½ cup of brown sugar
· 4-6 cups water
· Any flavor infusions or coloring you may want to add to the dough (for the boba to be the traditional black color you may have to add additional coloring. I have read several articles that say the coloring comes from using a darker sugar like Taiwanese black sugar, but I have no idea where I would find that. I have also seen recipes that call for black food coloring or activated charcoal, so that might be it too. If I find out more, I will update!)
For the Tea:
· 1 cup milk of your choice
· 1 cup tea of your choice
· Spices and sweetener of your choice (example: cinnamon and honey)
This is the fun part where you get to be creative! I typically use coconut milk or almond milk but dairy would work too. For a more traditional tea flavor use black tea, but any tea will do! I have also used matcha and a pink cactus flower tea.
Ok, lets make some bubble tea!
1. Boil sugar and water until the sugar dissolves completely. When it is at a rolling boil, take it off the heat and keep covered. While sugar water is boiling add tapioca flour to mixing bowl.
2. Combine ½ cup of boiling water to flour. You will use the rest of the sugar water to boil the boba so don’t get rid of it! Kneed the dough until it is tacky. You will keep adding water and flour until the dough feels right. You are going to have to roll it into tiny balls so it can’t be too sticky, but you also want your boba to pop so this part is a bit trial and error. In the end I think I ended up using about 1 ½ - 2 cups of flour and a little over ½ cup hot sugar water.
3. Cover the surface you plan to roll out the dough on with a thin layer of tapioca flour, and get ready to roll some dough balls!
While you are rolling set the sugar water on a low simmer. There are two methods you can use. Honestly, they are both pretty time consuming, but making dough can be cathartic. Option one: just tear off little tiny hunks of dough (small enough to fit in a straw, or how ever small you want them. Try to keep them all the same size if you can) and roll them into balls using the palms of your hands. Option two: roll out long ropes of dough and use a knife to cut them up into little pieces. Roll those little pieces into balls using the palms of your hands.
By now the sugar water should be boiling. If not, turn up the heat!
4. Boil the tapioca balls on medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the texture you want. When they are done remove from heat, add cold water to the pot, and immediately strain. Add the cooked balls to a bowl of ice water, and watch them turn translucent!
5. In a cup layer the boba, ice, milk, tea, spices, and additional sweetener.
6. Enjoy!!
About the pictures:
Picture one is hibiscus infused boba in cactus flower tea and coconut milk
Picture 2 is lavender and blackberry infused boba and the type of tapioca flour I used
Picture three is regular boba dough balls
Picture 4 is regular boba dough balls after they have cooked and cooled
Picture 5 is regular boba in black tea and almond milk with honey, cinnamon, and turmeric
If you make my recipe, please share it with me by following my Instagram @_sincerelylovely, posting a pic and tagging me in the post! I would love to see what you come up with!
If you liked this, check out my post on how to make whipped coffee and boba!