Bubble Tea

                                                                   Week 6 (Save $6)

For many of my friends, their ultimate cold beverage of choice would either be a Tim Horton’s ice Cap or Starbucks frappuccino.  For me, give me a Honey Dew Bubble Tea any day! There is nothing like slurping up chewy bubble (boba) pearls through a colorful thick straw with your favorite fruit slushy tea blend.  What a great taste combination! It’s sweet, refreshing and the brain freeze is the bomb! 

Originated in the 1980’s in Taiwan and spread throughout South Asia before  finding its way to the North America.  What makes this drink so unique are the “boba” chewy tapioca pearls found in the bottom of the drink.  The drink can either be a fruit flavored, made from special powders  or just your favorite blend of tea with the boba.  Lightly sweeten with condensed milk, fruit juices, frozen fruits  or simple syrups .  Every  Bubble Tea Shops makes their version of Bubble Tea’s. Try the different variety of bubble tea’s from different shops to find your favorite Ultimate Bubble Tea Barista. Is there even such a thing?

You can actually make your own bubble tea in the comfort of your own home. The fruit flavor powders and boba are available at many Asian stores. 
   
How to cook Boba and make the Bubble Tea
 
Ingredients
1/4 cup dried boba tapioca pearls per serving (NOT quick-cooking boba)
1-2 tea bags per serving, any kind
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
Milk, almond milk, or sweetened condensed milk
Fruit juice or nectar (optional)

1. Cook the Boba:
Measure 2 cups of water for every 1/4 cup of boba being prepared into a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the boba and stir gently until they begin floating to the top of the water.

Turn the heat to medium and cook the boba for 12-15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat, cover, and let the pearls sit for another 12-15 minutes.

Yields: ¾ cups of prepared boba

2. Prepare Sugar Syrup for the Boba:
Make simple syrup with equal parts of sugar and water. 1/c cup sugar to ½ cup water.  Set aside to cool.  Syrup will be used to sweeten and to preserve the boba once cooked.   

or

What I do is pour corn syrup over the boba avoiding the simple syrup process.

3. Make  the Tea
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bag. Use one tea bag for regular-strength bubble tea or two for a stronger tea flavor. Remove the tea bag after 15 minutes and chill the tea.

4. Finish the Boba
Once the boba have finished cooking, drain them from the water and transfer them to a small bowl or container. Pour the sugar syrup over top until the boba are submerged. Let sit until the boba are room temperature, at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate until ready to use. Boba are best if used within a few hours of cooking, but will keep refrigerated for several days. The boba will gradually harden and become crunchy as they sit.

5. Make the Bubble Tea
Pour the prepared tea into a tall glass and add the boba. Add milk for a creamy bubble tea, juice for a fruity tea, or leave plain and add a little extra water. Sweeten to taste with the simple syrup from soaking the boba or add honey

Additional Notes:

• Very Chilled Bubble Tea: For an extra-chilly bubble tea, combine all the tea, milk, and/or juice, but not the boba in a cocktail shaker. Add a few ice cubes and shake for 20 seconds. Pour into a tall glass and add the boba.

• Saving Leftover Boba and Making Boba for Later: Boba are best if used within a few hours of cooking, but will keep refrigerated with simple syrup for several days. The boba will gradually harden and become crunchy as they sit.

Look at all the different flavors available!

Here is my quick version for a Slushy Refreshing Brain freeze Bubble Tea

3 Tbsp bubble tea flavor powder 

Handful of frozen or fresh fruit

5 to 6 crushed ice cubes

½ cup milk (almond, soya, etc)

1 tsp sugar or syrup from the boba

¼ cup cooked boba

In a blender, add the frozen/fresh fruit with the crushed ice cubes,  Blend for a minute.  Add the  bubble tea powder, milk and syrup.  Blend until smooth. 

Spoon the tapioca pearls in to tall glass and pour the mixture and serve.  ENJOY!

I know it sounds like a long process to make something that is around $5.  With the 2 main ingredients, you can have bubble tea anytime you like!

Look for future Summer Recipe featuring my favorite drink of all time... Bubble Tea Boba -sicle!

What is your favorite Bubble Tea Flavors?