Boba tea drinks can be quite expensive, often costing over $8 each. However, you can save money by making them at home from scratch. Although it takes some time, the effort is well worth it. Here is how you can make boba from scratch.
What is Boba?
Boba, a chewy, gelatinous ball made from tapioca starch, is commonly found in drinks and Asian desserts. Its popularity has grown exponentially, leading to many boba shops.
Where did Boba come from?
Boba originated in Taiwan during the 1980s. The first original boba tea drink was from mixing tea, milk, and tapioca pearls. The original boba is credited to two different tea houses: Chun Shui Tang in Taichung and Hanlin Tea Room in Tainan.
Boba from Scratch Ingredients
- 1 cup tapioca starch: It needs to be tapioca starch. You cannot substitute with cornstarch.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: You darker brown sugar if you want the boba to be darker
- 1/3 cup water
Brown Syrup:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Boba from Scratch Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine water and brown sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture slightly boils.
Add some tapioca starch to the mixture and stir until it forms a thick, sticky texture. Turn off the heat and add the remaining tapioca starch.
Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Roll the dough into a long rope. Cut this rope into two equal pieces.
Roll each piece into ropes again and cut them into smaller pieces, aiming for even boba sizes.
Roll each piece into a small, smooth ball. Coat the boba balls with tapioca starch to prevent sticking.
In a separate pan, bring water to a boil. Add the boba balls and reduce the heat on low. Cook for 25 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the boba sit in the hot water for an additional 25 minutes. Drain the boba.
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and the cooked boba balls. Stir until the brown sugar is fully dissolved. For a thicker syrup, cook on low heat for a bit longer.
Brew some black tea or any tea of your choice.
In a glass, add the brown sugar boba mixture. Swirl the syrup around the cup for a marbled effect.
Add ice, then pour in the tea, and top with milk.
Enjoy your homemade boba tea!
Making Boba from Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 cup tapioca starch
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (for brown sugar syrup)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water and brown sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture slightly boils. Add some tapioca starch to the mixture and stir until it forms a thick, sticky texture. 2. Turn off the heat and add the remaining tapioca starch.
- Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Roll the dough into a long rope. Cut this rope into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into ropes again and cut them into smaller pieces, aiming for even boba sizes.
- Roll each piece into a small, smooth ball. Coat the boba balls with tapioca starch to prevent sticking.
- In a separate pan, bring water to a boil. Add the boba balls and reduce the heat on low. Cook for 25 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the boba sit in the hot water for an additional 25 minutes. Drain the boba.
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and the cooked boba balls. Stir until the brown sugar is fully dissolved. For a thicker syrup, cook on low heat for a bit longer.
- Brew some black tea or any tea of your choice.
- In a glass, add the brown sugar boba mixture. Swirl the syrup around the cup for a marbled effect.
- Add ice, then pour in the tea, and top with milk.
- Enjoy your homemade boba tea!
If you enjoy this boba recipe, you might consider adding boba to this specialty matcha drink.
