Bubble Tea at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Boba Pearls

If you’re a bubble tea lover, you’ve likely dreamed of whipping up those chewy, delicious boba pearls at home. Good news—making boba from scratch is easier than it looks! With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can enjoy homemade tapioca pearls that are fresh, flavorful, and fun to make.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

• ½ cup tapioca starch (also called cassava flour)
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup water (plus extra for boiling)

Tools:

• Saucepan
• Mixing bowl
• Slotted spoon or strainer
• Rolling surface

Step 1: Prepare the Brown Sugar Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup water and ¼ cup brown sugar. Heat it on low until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to simmer. Stir well to make a syrup.

Step 2: Add Tapioca Starch

Turn off the heat. Add about 2 tablespoons of tapioca starch into the hot syrup and stir immediately. This creates a thick, gooey paste. Then, gradually add the rest of the starch while mixing until a dough forms.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough to a flat surface. It may be hot, so handle carefully. Knead until smooth and pliable. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more starch. If it crumbles, add a drop of warm water and knead again.

Step 4: Roll into Pearls

Divide the dough into small sections and roll them into long ropes. Cut into tiny pieces and roll each one into a ball. Try to keep the pearls small—remember, they’ll expand when boiled.

Step 5: Boil the Pearls

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Drop in the pearls and stir gently so they don’t stick. Let them cook for 15–20 minutes until they float and become chewy. Turn off the heat and let them sit for another 15 minutes.

Step 6: Sweeten and Store

Once the pearls are done, strain them and rinse with cold water. For extra flavor, soak them in a bit of brown sugar syrup or honey for 10 minutes before using.

Step 7: Add to Your Favorite Drink

Now the fun part—pop your homemade boba pearls into your favorite milk tea, fruit tea, or smoothie. Sip, chew, and enjoy your very own bubble tea creation!

Tips for Success

• Use tapioca starch only—substituting other flours won’t work.
• Make and use the pearls the same day for best texture.
• You can freeze raw pearls for later, but cook them fresh before serving.

Making boba pearls at home adds a whole new layer of fun to your bubble tea obsession. With just a few steps, you can enjoy fresh, chewy pearls whenever the craving hits—and impress your friends while you’re at it!