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How to Cook Tapioca Pearls

Detailed instructions on how to cook tapioca pearls for use in bubble tea and desserts. These instructions are for dried tapioca pearls, not the quick cooking kind!

Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 1 cup large tapioca pearls (160g)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar (plus 1 cup water)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a deep pot, and add the tapioca. Bring it to a boil again, cover, and turn the heat down to medium low. Cook covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and allow to sit for another 15 minutes.
  2.   Drain the tapioca pearls and rinse under cold water.
  3. If the tapioca pearls still have opaque white centers, repeat STEP 1 and STEP 2 until all the tapioca balls are translucent. You may have to repeat a few times depending on their size.
  4. In the meantime, dissolve 3 tablespoons sugar into 1 cup warm water.
  5. Once the tapioca pearls are cooked, drain and rinse under cold water one more time. Then put them into the sugar water to prevent them from sticking together.

Notes

  • Cooked tapioca pearls lose their chewiness rather quickly, so it’s best to use them within 1-2 days.
  • Cooked tapioca pearls lose their chewiness rather quickly, so it’s best to use them within 1-2 days.