Monica Munteanu | On 10, Jul 2013

Most of you are probably on a sunny beach right now, but for those stuck at the office how about changing your routine a bit so it will be easier to go through the long working summer days. What we’re proposing is to spice things up in the tea drinking departament with the one and only bubble tea.

Make this fun drink part of your daily habits. With its main ingredient being tapioca pearls, this jazzy beverage comes in pastel colors like pink, green or yellow and wil certainly make you feel like on holiday already. So how about making it at home?

We’ve gathered 5 bubble tea recipes for you to try at home, but first of all let’s see how to prepare the lead ingredient.

How to cook Tapioca Pearls

Ingredients:

6 to 8 cups water (the ration is a minimum 7:1 water to tapioca pearls)

1 cup tapioca pearls

Preparation:

In a large pot (Make sure the pot is big enough so boiling tapioca water will not spill over) over high heat, add water and bring to a boil.

Slowly stir in the tapioca pearls so that they do not stick together (after 1 minute, the tapioca pearls should float). Reduce heat to medium and let boil, covered, for approximately 15 minutes; turn the heat off and let the tapioca pearls site, covered, for an additional 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from heat, rinse the tapioca pearls in cold water, and drain.

1. Mango bubble tea

This flavor will transport you on an exotic island with the first sip.

Ingredients:

2 green tea bags

250ml boiling water

1-2 tbsp honey

1½ litres water

75g large tapioca pearls

Flesh from 1 ripe mango

Juice of 2 oranges

200ml coconut milk

Preparation:

Place the teabags in the boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the bags before stirring in the honey. Set aside to cool and refrigerate until chilled.

Bring 1½ litres of water to the boil. Add the tapioca and reduce the heat to a simmer for 50 minutes, until the tapioca is tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.

Using a stick blender or liquidiser, blend together the mango flesh with the orange juice and coconut milk. Mix the mango liquid with the tea water and the tapioca. Serve in tall glasses with straws.

2. Jasmine delight bubble tea

There’s something relaxing about jasmine tea, but in this case it will step out of its comfort zone.

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup large tapioca pearls

6 jasmine tea (or jasmine and green tea) bags

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Preparation:

Put 6 jasmine tea bags into a heat-proof container and pour over 4 cups boiling water. Let steep 20 minutes. Remove the bags and discard. Let the tea cool, and then refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, put 1/2 cup tapioca pearls into the bottom of a large glass.

In a pitcher, combine the tea and sweetened condensed milk and stir until blended. Pour over the pearls and serve with an extra large straw

3. English breakfast bubble tea

If you’re a fan of black tea, start your mornings with this fine, bubbly recipe.

Ingredients:

2 English breakfast tea bags

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup tapioca

1 cup milk

1 cup ice cubes

Preparation:

Place tea bags, sugar and boiling water in a heatproof jug. Stir to dissolve sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes for flavours to develop. Remove tea bags. Refrigerate mixture until cool.

Bring 1.5 litres cold water to the boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add tapioca. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 50 minutes or until tapioca is just tender and almost clear. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large jug.

Add tea mixture and milk to tapioca. Stir gently to combine. Divide ice cubes between chilled glasses. Top with tapioca mixture. Serve.

4. Melon bubble tea

Have you ever wondered what summer taste like? You’ll know after trying this recipe.

Ingredients:

2 cups prepared brewed green tea

1/3 cup sugar

4 cups water

1/2 cup pearl tapioca (Raw, black or pastel-colored)

4 cups honeydews or 4 cups cantaloupes or 4 cups watermelon, chunks

4 cups ice cubes

2 cups orange juice

1/2 cup coconut milk

Preparation:

Combine green tea with sugar and set aside. Drain and rinse under cold water. Combine in medium bowl with sweetened tea. Refrigerate until needed. Blending in 2 batches, combine melon, ice cubes, orange juice and coconut milk in blender or food processor. Process until smooth.

Place about 1/4 cup tapioca mixture in bottom of large glass. Fill with melon mixture. Serve with straws if desired.

5. Matcha bubble tea

The list wouldn’t be complete without a match recipe.

Ingredients:

50g large tapioca pearls

750ml milk

2 tablespoons matcha powder

80g sugar

Preparation:

Cook the tapioca pearls in a large pot of boiling water. The cooking time will vary depending on the brand. There´s a quick cook variety in Asian shops, which I have used here. Once the pearls are cooked, drain well and keep them in a bowl.

Bring the milk to the boil and add in sugar and matcha powder. Stir until everything is dissolved. Taste to see if you are happy with the level of sweetness. Cool the milk mixture in the fridge. Serve cold in a glass with the cooked tapioca pearls and crushed ice if preferred.

Get yourself a straw and a tall glass and enjoy the bubbly drink. You can make your own recipe by replacing the tea with your favorite blend. You’re surely never going to get sick of it. Drink up!

We’ll soon launch our new incredibly tasty tea blends. Join us, there are lots of special gifts waiting for you.