Bubble Tea Recipe (Classic Milk Tea)

Black tapioca pearls: These chewy pearls are the signature component of bubble tea, providing a fun texture contrast to the drink.

Black tea leaves: Loose black tea leaves offer a robust and aromatic base for the milk tea.

Hot water: Used for brewing the black tea and cooking the tapioca pearls.

Milk: Adds a creamy richness to the tea, balancing the strong flavors of the black tea.

Sugar: Sweetens the drink to taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

When cooking tapioca pearls, ensure you stir them occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. Once they float to the top, continue boiling for an additional 2-3 minutes to achieve the perfect chewy texture. After draining, rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain their chewiness.

• black tapioca pearls - Substitute with sago pearls: Sago pearls have a similar chewy texture and can be used as a replacement in bubble tea.

• black tapioca pearls - Substitute with fruit jelly cubes: Fruit jelly cubes offer a different texture but add a fun and flavorful twist to the drink.

• black tea leaves - Substitute with green tea leaves: Green tea provides a lighter, more refreshing flavor compared to black tea.

• black tea leaves - Substitute with oolong tea leaves: Oolong tea offers a unique, slightly floral taste that can enhance the complexity of the drink.

• hot water - Substitute with cold water: Cold water can be used if you prefer to cold brew the tea, which results in a smoother, less bitter flavor.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a great dairy-free alternative that adds a nutty flavor to the tea.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk provides a rich, creamy texture and a tropical twist to the drink.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slight floral note to the tea.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a unique, rich sweetness that complements the tea flavors well.

• To store the tapioca pearls, place them in an airtight container with a bit of sugar syrup to keep them moist. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours. For longer storage, refrigerate them, but note that they may harden and lose their chewy texture.

• If you have leftover brewed tea, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before using, or enjoy it cold.

• For the milk component, always use fresh milk. If you need to store it, keep it in the refrigerator and use it within the expiration date. Avoid freezing milk as it can separate and alter the texture.

• To freeze the entire bubble tea drink, it's best to freeze the components separately. Freeze the brewed tea in ice cube trays, and once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. This way, you can easily thaw the amount you need without compromising the flavor.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the tea cubes in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Reheat if you prefer a warm drink, or blend with ice for a refreshing cold version.

• Avoid freezing the tapioca pearls as they do not retain their texture well after thawing. Instead, cook a fresh batch when you're ready to assemble your bubble tea.

• If you want to prepare the sugar syrup in advance, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month. Simply combine equal parts sugar and water, bring to a boil, and let it cool before storing in a sealed container.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the milk tea into a small saucepan.
  2. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  3. Once warmed to your desired temperature, remove from heat and pour into a glass.
  4. If the tapioca pearls have hardened, you can reheat them separately in a bit of hot water for a few minutes before adding them back to the drink.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Pour the milk tea into a microwave-safe mug or container.
  2. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  3. If the tapioca pearls are too firm, you can microwave them separately in a small bowl of water for 30 seconds to 1 minute before adding them back to the drink.

• Hot Water Bath Method:

  1. Place the container of milk tea in a larger bowl filled with hot water.
  2. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to help distribute the heat.
  3. This method is gentle and helps maintain the texture of the tapioca pearls.

• Steamer Method:

  1. Pour the milk tea into a heatproof container.
  2. Place the container in a steamer basket over boiling water.
  3. Steam for about 5 minutes or until the milk tea is heated through.
  4. Stir well before serving to ensure even temperature distribution.

• Saucepan: Used to boil water for cooking the tapioca pearls.

• Teapot: Used to brew the black tea leaves.

• Strainer: Used to strain the tea leaves after brewing.

• Glass: Used to assemble and serve the bubble tea.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the water, milk, and tapioca pearls.

• Tablespoon: Used to measure the black tea leaves and sugar.

• Stirring spoon: Used to stir the sugar into the assembled drink.

• Ice cube tray: Optional, used to make ice if desired.

• Colander: Used to drain and rinse the cooked tapioca pearls.

Pre-cook tapioca pearls: Cook tapioca pearls in advance and store them in the fridge. This way, you can quickly assemble your bubble tea when needed.

Use tea bags: Substitute black tea leaves with tea bags for a quicker brewing process.

Microwave milk: Warm your milk in the microwave to save time instead of heating it on the stove.

Pre-make sugar syrup: Dissolve sugar in hot water to create a syrup that can be stored and used instantly.

Batch brew tea: Brew a larger quantity of tea and store it in the fridge for multiple servings.