Tapioca pearls (also called boba) are the heart of every bubble tea. When prepared correctly, they are soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet. In this guide, we'll show you step-by-step how to cook tapioca pearls perfectly.
What are tapioca pearls?
Tapioca pearls are made from tapioca starch, which is extracted from the cassava root. The classic black pearls also contain caramel or bamboo charcoal for their dark color. They are also available in white (pure tapioca) or colored.
What you need
- Tapioca pearls (50–80g per serving)
- Large pot with water (at least 1 liter per 100g of pearls)
- Sieve
- Brown sugar or sugar syrup for sweetening