Description
This Milk Tea (Boba Tea) recipe offers a delightful homemade version of the popular Taiwanese bubble tea. Brewed with black loose leaf tea and sweetened with coconut sugar syrup, it features chewy boba pearls that add a fun texture to the creamy, milky tea. Perfect for a refreshing drink to enjoy at home.
Ingredients
Tea and Milk
- 4 teaspoons black, loose leaf tea
- 1 cup milk
Boba Pearls
- 1 cup boba pearls
Simple Syrup
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup water
Water
- 4 cups water (for tea)
- 3 cups water (for cooking boba pearls)
Instructions
- Brew the Tea: In a small pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the 4 teaspoons of black loose leaf tea to the boiling water, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to extract flavor.
- Strain and Chill Tea: Strain the tea leaves out into a jar or container. Allow the tea concentrate to cool completely in the refrigerator to ensure a refreshing base for the milk tea.
- Prepare Simple Syrup: In a small pot, combine ¼ cup coconut sugar with ¼ cup water. Heat the mixture until it reaches a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 4 minutes to create a sweet syrup. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Cook Boba Pearls: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in another pot. Add the boba pearls and boil for about 5 minutes, or until they become soft and cooked through.
- Cool and Drain Boba: Remove the pot from heat, drain the boba pearls, and immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
- Marinate Boba in Syrup: Drain any excess water from the boba and add the pearls to the cooled simple syrup. Stir gently and allow the boba to soak in the syrup for at least 15 minutes to absorb sweetness.
- Assemble the Milk Tea: Divide the syrup-soaked boba pearls evenly among 4 tall glasses. Pour 1 cup of chilled tea concentrate into each glass.
- Add Milk and Serve: Add milk to each glass according to your taste preference, stir well, and serve with a large boba straw for the classic bubble tea experience.
Notes
- Letting the tea cool completely before assembling prevents melting the ice or diluting the flavor.
- Soaking the boba pearls in simple syrup enhances their sweetness and chewiness.
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of simple syrup or milk added.
- Use whole milk for creamier texture, or substitute with plant-based milk for a vegan option.
- Serve immediately after assembly for the best texture, as boba pearls harden if left too long.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
