How to Cook Tapioca Pearls – A simple method

(How to Cook Tapioca Pearls) – A simple recipe, Tapioca pearls also referred to as Boba, are transparent and sweet little pops of sweetness that provide desserts and drinks with the perfect chewy taste. While I enjoy asking “Boba?” after every meal, I also love making them at home as it’s easy to make and is worth the effort in the event of making drinks for several people.

Where do I begin?

If you own white boba, there is an entire post on the method of cooking white pearls. Although it’s quite like the other, there are a few specific brand differences that could be relevant in the event that you purchase the pearls.

If the package of tapioca pearls has instructions, following them is the best way to go as cooking methods and timings differ widely between brands.

If the sloppy manufacturers shipped you a box of boba, but without any instructions then the 30 and 30 method can be a good first step as it has worked on all the brands I tried, regardless of whether it needed a small time reduction, or a number of rounds.

The brands I tried

  • Bossen Tapioca Pearls (Large Boba): Utilize the 30 and 30 method as described below. This boba can be described as what would consider to be “fresh boba” because you can easily crush them between your fingers. It also has a shorter shelf-life as compared to other brands.
  • The EFA Brand Boba :Follow the directions provided on the packaging. If you’re unable to locate WuFuYuan, I’d recommend purchasing this brand as it’s as easy to make (really just five minutes!) and follows easy instructions. The brand also has a longer shelf-life after opening.
  • Tea Zone Original Tapioca Pearls (Boba) :Use the 30 & 30 method. Like the Bossen tapioca pearls brand includes “fresh boba” that is easily crushed, and you must be very careful when handling. It is similar in texture to the regular Boba.
  • Tea Zone Instant 10-Tapeoca Pearls (Boba) :Follow the instructions on the packaging. From all the bobas I tried it was not my favorite since it wasn’t of the right consistency and was smaller than the majority of the boba. Although I followed the instructions meticulously I came up with a somewhat hard boba. Contrary to E-Fa and WuFuYuan fast-paced bobas that took longer than 10 minutes because of the time between resting and re-resting.
  • Zone Chewy Tapioca Pearls (Boba) :Use the 30 and 30 method. The best thing about this boba is the fact that it’s extremely chewy. I like this texture over the traditional Tea Zone Original version. I’d suggest this if you prefer your Boba to be extra chewy.
  • WuFuYuan The Black Boba Taco Pearls (5 minutes) :Follow the directions provided on the packaging. The boba I like the most because it’s extremely fast (it actually takes just about five minutes) and also provides a nice and chewy Boba.

If you are using a particular product that isn’t yet tested I suggest using the 30 &30 method below to get started. If the pearls become too soft, decrease the cooking duration. If it’s still raw in the middle, think about further cooking sessions and letting the pearls rest.

The 30 and 30 cooking method

It’s a 30-minute period of cooking followed by thirty to 30 minutes rest. If you’ve never cooked Boba at home before this 30 and 30 method is a great method to get started without being perplexed, particularly since a variety of brands offer different varieties of Boba. This method is also effective for many white pearls! This method hasn’t failed me.

The first step is. In a large pot, boil approximately 10 cups of water for each 1 cup dried pearls of tapioca. For every half cup of dried boba that’s approximately 1 cup cooked boba. (Please avoid rinsing the boba before cooking, as they could break down)

Step 2. Once you have a simmering boil, put the dried pearls of tapioca into the pot, and allow the boba to rise. It should take around 30 minutes. When all the boba has risen up to the top, reduce the temperature to medium and maintain at a simmer. Continue cooking for 30 minutes, covered.

Step 3. After 30 minutes remove the pot from the stove Cover the pot with a lid and allow it to rest for another 30 minutes. Then take the boba out of the strainer and rinse them under cold water to get rid of the excess starch from the boba.

How to Cook Tapioca Pearls? A simple guide

Step 4. Taste the boba and determine if they are soft consistency all over. Although this method is usually successful the first time however, if that the center of your boba is still tough, you can repeat the 30 &30 process until you get the desired texture. Be aware that the longer boba is in liquid, the less elastic it becomes and could break down in the future.

step 5. (Optional) If the boba is cooked, you can decide to sweeten the Boba with a few spoons of brown sugar, or even honey. This will take another 10 minutes.

Quick cooking method WuFuYuan and E-FA brand pearls

This simple method is based upon two specific brands of boba: WuFuYuan and E-Fa boba. The two brands offer boba that is easy to prepare in just five minutes. You do not even have to soak your boba before. If you’re unsure whether the boba you bought is quick cooking or if it doesn’t say on the label that it’s quick-cooked I’d suggest you use the 30 and 30 method described above.

For various sizes and varieties of tapioca brown pearls the procedure and timing will differ, so be sure to check the label first. Here’s what I’ve found to work:

Step 1. Bring the water to a simmer over high temperatures. Do not add the boba until.

Step 2. Once the water is boiling then add the boba slowly (they might splash a little) to wait for a few minutes until your boba starts to rise. I like WuFuYuan’s medium-sized brown boba.

Step 3. When all the boba is floating to the top, reduce the temperature to medium and cover the pot, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. I keep an eye on the pearls all duration because they cook pretty quickly.

Step 4. Test one ball, and then test for chewiness to ensure it’s cooked. Transfer the boba into a new container. It should have a chewy texture but not too al indentation. You should take the boba out of the pot prior to it becoming too soft and starts to lose its shape. The boba can continue to cook after being removed from the water be aware of that in your mind.

Step 5. I don’t know what’s up with you however, I like to enhance the flavor of my Boba by soaking it in simple syrup made from the remaining water as well as brown sugar. Pour this sauce into the container that holds boba, and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. The boba’s soak will prevent your boba from adhering to each other and drying before putting them to your beverage or dessert.

Step 6. You should get a the chewy and sweetened Boba. Then, you can mix the sweetened boba into desserts and drinks, and take pleasure in it!

A few of the most frequently-asked questions are:

What are pearls of tapioca?

While traditionally, tapioca pearls were constructed from other starches, such as rice flour but tapioca pearls have been commonly made of hot tapioca starch and tapioca water and then formed into balls.

Tapioca pearls originate from Southeast Asia and are utilized in many desserts and drinks such as milk tea and Thai tea.

Boba is available in a variety of sizes and shades. Tapioca pearls can be found from your favorite Asian supermarket, such as 99 Ranch Market, or at various online stores. Below are a variety of Boba:

  • Pearls of white tapioca The majority of them have an unappealing flavor since it’s composed of only two components: tapioca starch as well as water. The pearls appear white, when cooked, and they turn slightly translucent and have a chewy, opaque center.
  • The black tapioca pearls form of boba is identical to white tapioca pearls but they are enriched with ingredients like brown sugar, which gives it an opaque dark color.
  • Rainbow tapioca pearls: They are like white tapioca pearls, but they’re colored. They’ll turn transparent in color. If you are looking for a more flavorful option it is possible to soak them in honey or sweet syrup after cooking.

How do you store pearls from tapioca?

If you’ve got any dried, unopened tapioca pearls I like to store them in a airtight container and place them in my fridge to ensure they are fresh. In my refrigerator they can last for a few months.

If you cook pearls I recommend eating them immediately as the longer you keep them in, the more brittle they get due to tapioca starch.

How do you consume pearls of tapioca?

Tapioca pearls are extremely versatile for use in Asian desserts. The most popular way to use them is to include to milk tea drinks, such as the hot almond milk tea and taro milk tea and Thai tea, however they are also used in traditional desserts, such as Che the chuoi.

Do you need to soak pearls of tapioca in tapioca?

Based on the kind of pearls from tapioca you buy and the information on the package specifies, I would place the pearls into honey syrup or sugar syrup after cooking them to enhance their taste and sweetness.

Are you able to use pearls made of white tapioca to make bubble tea?

Yes, you can make the white pearls of tapioca (it comes with a distinct recipes) But I recommend soaking the pearls in honey or sugar syrup after cooking, so that they taste sweet. In other words, white tapioca pearls have a mild flavor.

Why did my pearls from tapioca disappear?

The longer pearls remain in liquid and dissolved, the faster they fall apart. This is why it is crucial to consume and serve pearls as fast as you can.

What is the material that tapioca pearls are made from?

Boba are round, chewy balls made from tapioca flour as well as water.

Why is it called boba?

Boba is a name for tapioca pearls infused into milk tea. The name was coined after the first time it was introduced within Hong Kong, when people started calling the pearls of tapioca “boba” because they resembled large pearls.

What is the difference between bubble and boba tea?

Bubble tea and boba are two different names for the identical thing. While boba may be a reference to the actual pearls made of tapioca however, it could also be a reference to milk tea drinks. bubble tea is simply an abbreviation for the milk tea too.

How to Cook Tapioca Pearls (30 & 30 Cooking Method for Brown Boba)

This technique works with tapioca pearls made by Bossen & Tea Zone and is not designed to be used for "quick cooking" pearls. It is also a good option as a base for pearls made of tapioca that do not have instructions.
Prep Time1 minute
Active Time30 minutes
RESTING30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: asian, taiwanese
Keyword: Boba, How to Cook Tapioca Pearls, Tapioca pearls recipe
Yield: 2 SERVINGS

Materials

  • 1/2 c tapioca pearls
  • 10 c filtered water
  • 2 tbsp sugar or honey

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan add the water to 10 cups, and bring it to a simmer.
  • Once it reaches the point of boiling and the pearls are added, and allow them to be able to float up at the top of the water. When the boba has risen to the top reduce the heat to medium.Keep simmering for 30 minutes, covered. Make sure to stir frequently to keep the pearls from sticking to the.
  • In the next 30 mins, take the pan from the heat source Cover the pot with a lid and then let it rest for another 30 minutes.
  • Strain the boba, then rinse it under cold in water until the boiling stops. take off that starchy layer.
  • Test the taste of the pearls with a spoon and determine if they're cooked to perfection. They should be chewy and soft and not break when you consume it. Keep in mind that even though the center may appear opaque, this doesn't mean that they're not cooked. They're still able to be cooked completely, so it's important to taste them to ensure that they're cooked.
  • In the event that pearls not fully cooked or have hard centers repeat steps 2-6 using another batch of water.
  • If you want to sweeten the boba when the cooking is done Add about 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar over the top. Let it the bobas sit for another 10 minutes.

NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING)

Calories: 182.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 45.7g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 59.6mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 13.3g | Calcium: 43.1mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Did you cook this recipe?

Quick cooking method – WuFuYuan & E-FA brand pearls

This cooking method is intended for speedy cooking boba made by the WuFuYuan or E-FA brands. For all other brands, begin with the 30 and 30 method previously mentioned.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time10 minutes
MARINATING10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: asian
Keyword: How to Cook Tapioca Pearls, Tapioca pearls recipe

Materials

  • 5 ½ c water
  • ½ c tapioca pearls medium sized WuFuYuan brand preferred
  • 1 c brown sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized saucepan make sure to boil water over a high temperature. (DO NOT add the boba till after the water has reached a boil.) The boba package recommends slow addition of the boba to boiling water while stirring to avoid sticking.
  • When the boba has risen up to the surface, lower the heat to medium, then close the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • After 2 minutes, test an egg to determine the degree of doneness. Continue cooking until the texture gets to the desired level of doneness. It will keep cooking just a little bit longer in the subsequent steps.
  • In a separate, medium-sized bowl mix brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of hot water (taken from the boba's pot) together to create the sugar syrup.
  • The rest of the water and then transfer the boba pearls directly into a containers for sugar syrup. Cover for ten minutes. The result will be a chewy sweet Boba. The boba should be kept in the simple syrup until you can assemble it. Also, you will use the syrup that you made from this recipe to sweeten your tea.

Notes

Tips:
  • This recipe is made specifically designed for medium-sized the brown pearls of tapioca. Different kinds of boba require different recipes, so be sure you’ve read your boba’s packaging prior to cooking.
  • Do not clean or wash the boba prior to cooking them.
  • It is important to place the boba into the water after it has already been boiled.

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