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TARO & TAPIOCA PEARL DESSERT
5 from 36 votes

TARO & TAPIOCA PEARL DESSERT

Taro & Tapioca Pearl Dessert combines soft-cooked taro cubes and chewy small tapioca pearls in a sweet, rich coconut milk base. The dessert features a creamy texture with gentle sweetness balanced by the earthiness of taro and the unique chew of tapioca. It can be served hot or chilled for a refreshing treat.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 305 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Ingredients

  • 2 cups taro
  • 1 can coconut milk (14 fl oz 400ml) 
  • ½ cup sago (small tapioca pearls)
  • 2 cup water
  • ¾ cup sugar
Cook taro and sago
  • 7 cups water (1 cup to cook taro in the instant pot and 6 cups to boil sago in the pot.)

Instructions

Instant pot method:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Peel and wash a small medium sized taro (around 2 pounds). Then, cut them into small cubes. (Enough for 2 cups around 1 pound 12.2 oz.)
  2. Then, put the cut taro (2 cups) from step 1 into the instant pot and add 1 cup of water. Close the lid and vent. Push the manual button and adjust time for 3 minutes at high pressure. Then, natural release pressure. (If you dice the taro very small, I recommend doing it for 2 minutes.) However, you can also use the top stove method to boil it for 10-15 minutes until it's soft. 
  3. While cooking taro in the instant pot, use a pot to cook sago. Pour 6 cups of water into the pot, turn on medium fire and wait until water boils, add ½ cup of tapioca. Let it boil or simmer for 10 minutes. After that, cover the lid and turn off the fire. Let it wait for 5-8 minutes.
  4. Drain the cooked sago and rinse with cold water.
  5. When the taro is done, drain the water.
  6. Push the button sauté for 10 minutes. Add 1 can of coconut milk (14 fl oz 400ml), 2 cups of water and ¾ cup of sugar. Wait until it’s boiling or sugar dissolves, then turn off the instant pot. Next, add the cooked tapioca, taro and mix them.
  7. It can serve as hot or cold. (If you want to serve it cold. I suggest refrigerating the liquid and taro. But, don’t add the sago in. Cook the sago and add the sago when you are ready to serve it cold. It is because when you put the sago and liquid in the refrigerator overnight. The sago will absorb the liquid and become solid.)
Top stove method:
  1. Peel and wash a small medium sized taro (around 2 pounds). Then, cut them into small cubes. (Enough for 2 cups around 1 pound 12.2 oz.)
  2. Then, pour 4 cups of water into the pot. Turn on the fire to medium small. When the water is boiling, put the cut taro (2 cups) from step 1 into the pot and boil it for 10-15 minutes or until it's soft. 
  3. While cooking taro in the pot, use another pot to cook sago. Pour 6 cups of water into the pot, turn on medium fire and wait until water boils, add ½ cup of tapioca. Let it boil or simmer for 10 minutes. After that, cover the lid and turn off the fire. Let it wait for 5-8 minutes.
  4. Drain the cooked sago and rinse with cold water.
  5. When the taro is done, drain the water.
  6. Pour 1 can of coconut milk (14 fl oz 400ml), 2 cups of water and ¾ cup of sugar into a big pot. Turn on medium small fire, wait until it’s boiling or sugar dissolves, then turn off the fire. Next, add the cooked tapioca, taro and mix them.
  7. It can serve as hot or cold. (If you want to serve it cold. I suggest refrigerating the liquid and taro. But, don’t add the sago in. Cook the sago and add the sago when you are ready to serve it cold. It is because when you put the sago and liquid in the refrigerator overnight. The sago will absorb the liquid and become solid.)

Notes

  • Peel and dice taro evenly to about 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking.
  • Instant Pot reduces taro cooking to 2-3 minutes at high pressure with natural release; smaller dice may require less time.
  • Boil tapioca pearls for 10 minutes, then cover off heat for 5-8 minutes before draining and rinsing to prevent clumping.
  • Combine coconut milk, water, and sugar on sauté setting until sugar dissolves before adding cooked taro and tapioca.
  • Serve hot or chilled; if chilling, refrigerate taro mixture separately and add freshly cooked tapioca before serving to maintain texture.

Nutrition Information

Calories 305kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g (1%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 47mg (2%) Potassium 361mg (8%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 25g (50%) Vitamin A 26IU (1%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 38mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 305

% Daily Value*

Calories 305kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 47mg 2%
Potassium 361mg 8%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 25g 50%
Vitamin A 26IU 1%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 38mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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