How to Make Boba Pearls at Home
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
1 d 40 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
-
Servings
6
-
Calories
393 kcal
-
Course
Condiments
-
Cuisine
Chinese
How to Make Boba Pearls at Home
Description
How to Make Boba Pearls at Home details making chewy tapioca pearls from scratch using tapioca starch and a brown sugar mixture. The starch is combined with hot dissolved brown sugar syrup, then kneaded quickly into a smooth dough before forming small balls. This process produces traditional boba with a sweet flavor from the brown sugar. The method requires prompt and efficient working with the dough as it can become difficult to manage when cooled. The recipe also includes instructions for making a brown sugar syrup that can be served with the pearls. These pearls are popular additions to teas and other drinks, providing a distinctive chewy texture and caramel sweetness.
The tapioca starch forms the chewy body of the pearls, while the brown sugar syrup adds sweetness and flavor. The dough is shaped into tiny spheres that will be cooked in boiling water to achieve the characteristic boba texture. This recipe captures the essentials of homemade pearl preparation without additional flavors or coloring. It requires some patience and quick handling of the dough to work successfully.
Homemade boba pearls allow customization of sweetness and texture and provide a fresh alternative to store-bought tapioca pearls. They are best consumed shortly after preparation to maintain their chewy quality. The brown sugar syrup complements the subtle flavor of tapioca by infusing a rich, caramel-like taste. When cooked properly, these pearls enhance beverages with their signature chewy mouthfeel and sugary glaze.
Ingredients
For boba pearls
- 1 cup tapioca starch + 2 tbsp. more for adjusting and coating, around 135g
- 6 tbsp. water 90ml
- 60 g brown sugar
Brown sugar syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 brown sugar around 70g (can be replaced by brown sugar too, slab
- 100 ml water 1/3 cup + 1.5 tbsp.
Instructions
Make boba pearls
- In a small pot, slightly heat the water and dissolve brown sugar over slowest fire (to avoid too much water lost). Make sure the sugar is dissolved. Heat the liquid to a boiling and then use slowest fire. Now, add 1/2 of the tapioca starch in and mix quickly (Count 6 to 7seconds). Turn off the fire or remove from fire and add the remaining 1/2 of the tapioca starch. Mix until gathered. Quick during the process.
- Place the remaining flour on an operation board. Transfer the smooth paste in and knead into a dough with the help of a scraper blade. At first, it might be slightly sticky. Continue kneading until smooth. Be quick during the process. The dough becomes hard to control when cool down completely.
- Divide the dough into 4 portions. Remember to cover the other three with plastic bag. Then shape one portion into a long log (around 1.5 cm in diameter), cut the log into small cubes.
- Round each small squares to small balls (be patient and do not require prefect roundness).
- In a large plate, spread some flour and coat each ball with enough flour to avoid sticking to each other. After finish all of the pearls, shift the extra flour off. You can now package in air-tight bags and freeze for later use.
Sugar Syrup
- In a small pot, melt 2 slices of brown sugar slab and 1cup brown sugar with 100ml water in a small pot. Heat until there are large bubbles. Or you can simply use brown sugar syrup.
How to cook the boba pearls
- Bring a large pot of water (at least 6 times of the volume of the pearls) and cook the pears for 20 to 30 minutes. Then transfer the balls into a cold water (they shrink to original size immediately). Wash under running water. Drain and mix with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup or honey (or sugar) to avoid sticky together.
- Now, make your creations and make lovely boba drinks!
Notes
- This recipe was originally published in 2019 and updated with video in 2020 for clearer instructions.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 393 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 393kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 75g | 25% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 120mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 384mg | 8% |
| Sugar | 58g | 116% |
| Vitamin A | 395IU | 8% |
| Calcium | 314mg | 31% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
