Organic bubble tea at home makes the perfect self-care treat!

Secrets To Crafting Irresistibly Delicious Organic Bubble Tea At Home

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Hey there, my fellow bubble tea enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the delightful world of these chewy, tapioca-infused drinks.

Boba tea is one of the most addictive beverages. The delectable drink is easily customizable with various toppings such as jelly pieces, pudding, or red beans. As a rising star in the beverage world, read more to learn how to make this delectable drink organically at home!

Is There A Difference Between Boba Tea vs. Bubble Tea?

So, what’s the deal with boba tea? Well, it’s just another fancy name for bubble tea! You see, the word “boba” comes from the Chinese word “bōbà,” which means those lovely tapioca balls that give the drink its unique texture.

Now, let’s get this straight: boba tea, bubble tea, and pearl milk tea – or as they call it in Taiwan, zhenzhu naicha (珍珠奶茶) – are all the same delightful concoction; the names are completely interchangeable. 

Some folks might lean toward one term over the other, depending on where they’re sipping their drink or what they are used to calling it. Over on the East Coast of the U.S., they’re all about saying “bubble tea”, while folks on the West Coast lean toward saying “boba”. Call it what you want, but in its purest form, it’s a magical mix of black tea, milk, ice, and those chewy tapioca pearls, all shaken up like a martini and served with that iconic, generously sized straw, perfect for slurping up tapioca marbles chilling at the bottom of your cup.

Other Popular Boba Tea Names

As the bubble tea craze has swept across the globe, it has put on a multilingual disguise, adopting various names like a chameleon changing colors. With this delightful drink masquerading under different titles, it’s easy to get tangled in the bubble of confusion.

Here’s a handful of the most popular ones you might stumble upon:

  1. Boba
  2. Bubble Tea
  3. Pearl Milk Tea
  4. Milk Tea
  5. Pearl Tea
  6. Tapioca Tea

If you catch yourself or a friend dropping any of these names in a bubble tea conversation, don’t fret! It’s all about the same fabulous beverage, not some secret code or exotic variant. 

Boba vs. Pearl

Matcha boba tea is a delightful spring beverage that packs a flavorful punch and bright green color.

It’s not just the battle of bubble tea vs. boba; the tapioca balls are masters of disguise as well. They go by names like boba, tapioca pearls, or simply pearls, creating a delightful whirlwind of nomenclature. So, when someone drops the phrase “pearl milk tea,” don’t be puzzled–those pearls are simply embracing their inner boba for the moment.

Just to make the naming practice a little more confusing, enter the dazzling world of popping boba. These little flavor explosions have skyrocketed in popularity as a tantalizing topping for your drink. They are addictive little additions and pack a lot of flavor.

Some boba tea menus list “mango” or “lychee boba” among other flavors. Are they talking about the fruity popping pearls that burst with flavor, or perhaps the fruit-infused pearl milk tea itself?

To navigate this tea-rrific maze of terminology, the wisest sipsters always seek a bit of clarity at the counter. After all, in the delightful realm of bubble tea, the goal is to enjoy every sip without a bubble of uncertainty!



What Is A Tapioca Pearl?

Let’s talk tapioca pearls. They start as pale, hard, and pretty bland little nuggets. They take a wild ride through bubbling vats where they get a sweet soak in caramelized syrup for hours. It’s like a tapioca spa day! After this transformation, they emerge as the black, bouncy tapioca pearls we know and love. 

What is Q?

The irresistible allure of boba’s signature texture, a sensation that’s earned its own local moniker in Taiwan: “Q” or “QQ,” which can be loosely translated as incredibly elastic and satisfyingly chewy. This indescribable, resilient bounce and rubbery consistency are treasures deeply embedded in Taiwan’s culinary culture. As you roam the streets, you’ll spot the letter Q proudly emblazoned on food packaging and adorning storefront signs, a symbol of this unique textural wonder.

But Q isn’t limited to boba pearls; it’s the secret behind the textures of various delectable treats like mochi, fish balls, and noodles. The true measure of a boba drink’s excellence lies in the elusive Q factor. Much like the Italian concept of achieving the perfect “al dente” pasta, mastering the art of Q is a challenging feat and a delicate balance. The ideal boba boasts a texture that’s not overly soft, nor excessively bouncy; it’s all about striking that harmonious toothsome equilibrium. The quest for the sublime chew keeps boba enthusiasts on a deliciously textured adventure! 

How is Tapioca Boba made?

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Here is the ingredient list for "Company B":

The majority of tapioca boba is made using tapioca starch and is derived from cassava plants mixed with brown sugar and other stabilizing additives. Unfortunately, many boba retailers use artificial colors, synthetic and altered ingredients, along with preservatives.

Below you will find common ingredients in tapioca boba currently on the market:

The ingredient list for “Company 1”:

Water, High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Sucrose, Dextrose Monohydrate, Carrageenan Gum, Konjac Powder, Sodium Alginate, Pectin, Calcium Lactate, Citric Acid, Spices, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, DL-Malic Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Potassium Chloride, Caramel Colors, Monobasic Calcium Phosphate, Gellan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1.

The ingredient list for “Company 2”:

Tapioca Starch, Water, Modified Starch, Potato Starch, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Caramel Color, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Maple Flavor.

Does Healthy Boba Exist?

Tapioca boba does not need have to be made with preservatives and artificial ingredients. Some people will make their tapioca pearls from scratch.

While cooking these little tapioca balls of goodness at home ensures that you have complete control over what you are eating, they can be a bit time consuming to make.

If you are looking for a more efficient option, our favorite organic tapioca pearls are made by Better Boba!

Better Boba only uses four ingredients to make boba:

  • Non-GMO tapioca starch
  • Brown sugar
  • Natural xanthan gum
  • Pure water.

The boba are made in Portland, OR with health and sustainability in mind. 

How to Make Sustainable Bubble Tea at Home

As we discussed earlier, Boba tea can come in many different varieties. You can customize this drink in any way your heart desires. Generally, Boba tea contains four ingredients: tea, sweetener, milk, and ice. 

Many boba drinks utilize simple syrups as a sweetener. Easily made, simple syrup is created by boiling sugar into water. 

In the recipe below, we use some healthier alternatives. Experiment with this recipe and its ingredients. Traditional boba tea is made with Asam tea, but you can use almost any tea flavor as your base. There are many sustainable tea brands and flavors to choose from! This recipe is meant to give you a helpful easy guide to creating a sustainable glass of highly addictive bubble tea at home.

Ingredients

Tea: You can choose from any variety of tea (matcha, green, black). Traditionally, Boba tea is made utilizing certain black tea varieties such as Assam or Darjeeling. Some people even choose juice for their boba tea base! 

Milk: Any kind that meets your fancy. We like Oat milk. Some people like using cream as well.

Sweetener: We suggest honey. You can also use agave nectar, maple syrup, or simple syrup.

Tapioca pearls: We really cannot recommend Better Boba enough! 

Ice: As much as you want. Remember it will melt and ultimately dilute the flavor.

Note: Boba pearls don’t keep well once they have been boiled. If you decide to make your tea mixture in advance and refrigerate it, that is absolutely fine. Hold off making the boba pearls until you are ready to enjoy your drink. 

Equipment

Measurements

  • 1½ cups tea (brewed and cooled)
  • ½ cup tapioca pearls
  • 2 TBSP honey(or maple syrup or other sweetener, or to taste)
  • ¼ cup oat milk
  • ice

Instructions

Brew the Tea

  1. Brew the tea. Follow the suggested brewing instructions on the tea you purchased.
  2. Chill until cold. This often takes about 30 minutes. I like to let mine sit overnight if I have remembered to plan ahead.

Make the Tapioca Pearls

  1. Follow the instructions on the package to make the pearls.
  2. Mix the cooked pearls with enough of the sweetener you have selected to coat them. This step helps preserve the texture.

Assemble the Drinks

  1. Mix the cooled tea, sweetener, and milk in a large glass.
  2. Divide the cooked tapioca pearls evenly between two additional glasses.
  3. Add ice.
  4. Pour half of the sweetened milk tea mixture over the ice in each glass.
  5. Add boba straws and enjoy!

 

Note: Remember to start enjoying your sustainable boba drink right away! The tapioca pearls don’t keep too long.

Let us know what kinds of tea you enjoy using in your homemade boba tea!