Making Bubble Tea at Home: The Ultimate Beginner's Handbook

Bubble tea – also known as boba tea or pearl milk tea – is the addictive trend drink from Taiwan that has taken the whole world by storm. The good news: you do not have to travel far for a good bubble tea. With the right ingredients you can easily make your favourite boba at home.

In this ultimate beginner's handbook we show you everything you need to know – from the basic ingredients through cooking the tapioca pearls to the most popular recipes.

Why make bubble tea yourself?

A bubble tea in a Swiss café costs CHF 7–9. A starter set costs CHF 32.90 to 34.90 and, depending on the variety, is enough for 6 to 8 servings – that works out at around CHF 5 per serving and therefore a good third less than in a café. And then there is the real advantage: you decide how sweet it gets, which tea you use and which milk goes in. Exactly the customisation you otherwise have to order at the counter.

What do you need to make bubble tea yourself?

Before you start you need the right equipment and ingredients. No worries – you do not have to be a barista to make a perfect bubble tea at home.

Equipment

• Sealable container or large jar with a lid – for mixing and frothing
• Saucepan – for cooking the tapioca pearls
• Wide straws – a must for the pearls
• Large glass (min. 500 ml) – for the finished drink

Ingredients (basic recipe for 1 person)

• 60–80 g tapioca pearls (black boba)
• 200 ml tea (black tea, green tea or milk tea powder)
• 100–150 ml milk or a plant-based milk alternative
• 2–3 tbsp sugar or syrup to taste
• Plenty of ice

You will find all the ingredients conveniently in our bubble tea sets – perfect for beginners who want to start right away.

Cooking tapioca pearls – step by step

The tapioca pearls are the heart of every bubble tea. Cooked correctly they are soft, pleasantly chewy and absolutely delicious. Here is how it works every time:

1. Bring water to the boil: use plenty of water – at least ten times the volume of the pearls. The pearls need room!
2. Add the pearls to the boiling water: stir immediately so they do not stick to the bottom.
3. Cook: as soon as the pearls float to the surface, put the lid on and cook for 2–3 minutes over medium heat.
4. Let them steep: take the pot off the heat, put the lid on and let them steep for another 2–3 minutes.
5. Drain and rinse: pour the pearls into a sieve and rinse them with cold water.
6. Sweeten: soak the finished pearls in sugar syrup – this gives them their typical aroma and stops them sticking together.

Tip: freshly cooked tapioca pearls should be used within 4–6 hours. They turn hard in the fridge! You will find the detailed version in our guide to cooking tapioca pearls.

The perfect bubble tea recipe – classic milk tea

Here is the basic recipe for a classic bubble milk tea:

1. Prepare the tea: brew 2 black tea bags in 200 ml of hot water for 5 minutes. Then let it cool.
2. Sweeten: stir 2–3 tbsp of sugar or sugar syrup into the still warm tea until it dissolves.
3. Mix: put the tea together with 100 ml of milk into a sealable container with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.
4. Pearls into the glass: add 2–3 tbsp of the finished tapioca pearls to a large glass.
5. Pour: pour the shaken milk tea over the pearls.
6. Enjoy: wide straw in and drink straight away!

Popular bubble tea variations to make yourself

Once you have learned the basic recipe, the possibilities are endless. Here are our most popular variations:

Ube bubble tea

Ube gives bubble tea a beautiful purple colour and a creamy, sweet taste with notes of vanilla and pistachio. Simply shake the ube powder with milk and ice – and your purple bubble tea is ready.

Matcha bubble tea

For all tea lovers: matcha bubble tea combines the slightly bitter, earthy taste of Japanese green tea powder with the creamy sweetness of milk tea. Particularly good with oat milk. To the matcha guide →

Mango fruit tea with popping boba

Instead of classic tapioca pearls you can also use popping boba (fruit pearls). They burst as you chew and give a fruity flavour boost – perfect with mango fruit tea!

Brown sugar bubble tea

The trend drink from Taiwan: tapioca pearls are cooked in brown sugar syrup until they shine like caramel. In the glass with cold milk – a highlight for the eyes and the palate. To the tiger milk tea recipe →

Toppings: more than just tapioca pearls

The pearls are only the beginning. With these toppings you can build your own signature mix:

• Classic black tapioca pearls: that typical chewy bite, ideal with milk tea
• Popping boba: liquid fruit centre, bursts as you drink – in ten fruit varieties, perfect with fruit tea
• Fruit jelly or pudding: softer than pearls, pleasant for anyone who likes it less chewy

More on the difference: Tapioca vs. fruit pearls →

Tips & tricks for the perfect bubble tea at home

• Do not forget the ice cubes: bubble tea is served ice cold. The more ice, the more refreshing.
• Adjust the sweetness: start with less sugar and work your way up – many people prefer a less sweet drink.
• Shaking is a must: vigorous shaking creates the characteristic foam. Do not just stir!
• Use the pearls fresh: finished tapioca pearls are only at their best for a few hours. Do not prepare more than you need.
• Store the pearls in syrup: keep cooked pearls in sugar syrup – that way they hold their texture much longer.
• Milk alternatives: oat milk, almond milk or coconut milk work excellently and give the bubble tea a character of its own.

Common mistakes when making bubble tea yourself

• Too little water when cooking: tapioca pearls swell a lot – always use plenty of water.
• Draining the pearls too early: better to cook them a little longer than too briefly. Hard pearls are no pleasure.
• Using the tea while still hot: the ice melts immediately and the drink turns watery. Always let the tea cool down.
• Not shaking enough: shake vigorously for at least 15–20 seconds for the perfect foam.
• The wrong straw: normal straws are too thin for the pearls. Wide bubble tea straws (12 mm) are a must.

Start right away with the right set

Do you want to start straight away without hunting for individual ingredients? Our bubble tea starter sets contain everything you need for your first bubble tea – tapioca pearls, tea powder, straws and instructions. Simply order, try and enjoy.

All products are delivered directly within Switzerland and to Liechtenstein – free shipping from CHF 79.

Conclusion: making bubble tea yourself is easier than you think

With the right ingredients and a little practice you can make a bubble tea at home that stands up to any bubble tea shop – and for a fraction of the price. Start with the basic recipe and then experiment with different teas, milks and pearls.

Have fun trying it out – and feel free to share your creations with us! 🧋