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Taro Milk Tea Boba Recipe

Taro Milk Tea Boba Recipe

This taro bubble tea is a creamy, sweet treat that's beautifully purple and can be enjoyed either warm or cold. You can customize it in several ways to suit your taste! Taro milk tea, which hails from Taiwan, can be made with or without actual tea and is flavored with taro root. Its flavor is sweet and delicate, a bit like sweet potato with hints of vanilla and nuttiness. The vibrant purple color adds to its charm, making it both a delicious dessert and a refreshing drink.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Asian
Servings 3
Calories 235 kcal

Equipment

  • Boba Straws

Ingredients
  

For the Milk Tea:

  • 1 tbsp Jasmine green tea or black tea
  • 2 cups Hot water ideally at 176ºF/80ºC to brew the tea
  • 4 tbsp Taro powder
  • 1/3 cup Milk half and half, or cream (use dairy or a dairy-free alternative)
  • Ice optional

For the Tapioca Pearls:

  • 1/2 cup Uncooked tapioca pearls quick-cook or homemade
  • 5 cups Water to cook the pearls

For the Brown Sugar Syrup:

  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Water to make the syrup

Instructions
 

Cook the Tapioca Pearls

  • If you made your own tapioca pearls, cook them now using your recipe.
  • For store-bought boba, follow the package directions (usually 3-5 minutes).
  • Once cooked, drain the boba and:
  • Rinse with cold water, or
  • Put them in a bowl of cold water, or
  • Put them directly into the brown sugar syrup to keep them from sticking.

Make the Brown Sugar Syrup

  • While the boba cooks, mix equal parts water and brown sugar in a small pot.
  • Heat on medium-high, stirring now and then, until the sugar melts.
  • Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes to thicken a bit, then take it off the heat.
  • Add the cooked boba to the syrup and stir.
  • Let the boba soak in the syrup for 40-60 minutes to absorb more flavor.

Brew the Jasmine Tea:

  • Heat water to about 176ºF/80ºC (don't let it boil).
  • Steep the tea leaves or tea bag in the hot water for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the tea leaves or bag (using a tea infuser or a cheesecloth wrap makes this easier).
  • Mix in the taro powder until well combined.
  • Let the tea cool, especially if you want iced tea.

Put Together the Taro Milk Tea:

  • Use tall glasses for serving.
  • First, add the boba and syrup mixture to the glass.
  • If you want, add ice next.
  • Pour in the tea, then add the milk.
  • Stir everything together and enjoy!

Notes

  • Boba can get hard and not taste good if left too long, so eat them within 4 hours.
  • You can add more or less brown sugar syrup to make the drink sweeter or less sweet.
  • Use different types of milk or cream and add more or less to make the drink as creamy as you like.
  • If you're using fresh taro, wear gloves because it can irritate your skin.
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