Bubble Tea

Bubble Tea is becoming increasingly popular drink in Canada. While drinks can run $8-$12 at a bubble tea place, you can make them at home for a fraction of the cost. Bubble Tea is made from:

1. Liquid - Water or Tea and Ice
2. Flavouring - Flavoured Syrup like Torani Syrups
3. Sugar/Syrup - If using Torani for flavouring this is not required, honey could also be used
4. Texture Component - Tapioca Pearls (Boba) or Choobee

Let's break things down a little.

Liquid - Water or Tea and Ice

Bubble Tea is strongly associated with tea, but water can be used as well. The most popular choices are Black Tea (makes the drink smooth/mellow) or Jasmine Green Tea (makes the tea lighter and brighter to the taste).

Flavouring

This can be Flavoured Syrups (like Torani), Cream Flavoured Powders (CFP), Sour Flavoured Powders (SFP).

Sweetener

If using a powder, sweetener will be required. Torani flavoured syrups use 100% pure cane sugar, while Torani's Sugar Free Syrups use Sucralose and contain no calories.

Optionally, honey can also be used.

Texture Component

Can be a wide variety of products, but are typically Tapioca Pearls (known as Boba). Other popular options include coconut jelly, shredded lychee or diced pear.

Preparation

The most time-consuming (though not difficult) part of making bubble tea is the tapioca pearls. They come in a compact, dry format and need to be hydrated to get that familiar tapioca consistency.

• 1 cup Tapioca Pearls to 7 cups water
• Bring the water to a boil in a large pot
• Add Tapioca Pearls to boiling water, boil for 30-45 minutes while stirring occasionally
• Tapioca Pearls are done when they're soft throughout when chewed
• Move pot away from the heating element and let the Tapioca Pearls sit for 30 minutes with the lid on
• Drain and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear
• Coat with Torani flavouring syrups - you now have Boba!
• Add ice, chilled tea and Boba to a glass with a large (wide) straw and serve!