You can make the popular taro milk tea right at home. It’s sweet, refreshing, and a fun treat the whole family will love. Bubble tea has become quite trendy around the world, so you’ve probably tried it or at least seen it.
Taro milk tea is a type of milk tea made with taro, a root vegetable with a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s usually served over ice and topped with chewy tapioca pearls, known as boba, which add a fun and satisfying texture.
To make taro milk tea, you’ll need a few key ingredients: taro, milk, sugar, and tapioca pearls. It’s a delicious and refreshing drink you can enjoy anytime, and it pairs well with any meal.
Sweet, rich, and creamy, taro milk tea is perfect for a relaxing afternoon, no matter the season. The taro flavor blends perfectly with the creamy milk and the sweet boba soaked in sugar syrup. Give it a try and enjoy this tasty treat!
Taro Milk Tea Boba Recipe
Equipment
- Boba Straws
Ingredients
For the Milk Tea:
- 1 tbsp Jasmine green tea or black tea
- 2 cups Hot water ideally at 176ºF/80ºC to brew the tea
- 4 tbsp Taro powder
- 1/3 cup Milk half and half, or cream (use dairy or a dairy-free alternative)
- Ice optional
For the Tapioca Pearls:
- 1/2 cup Uncooked tapioca pearls quick-cook or homemade
- 5 cups Water to cook the pearls
For the Brown Sugar Syrup:
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Water to make the syrup
Instructions
Cook the Tapioca Pearls
- If you made your own tapioca pearls, cook them now using your recipe.
- For store-bought boba, follow the package directions (usually 3-5 minutes).
- Once cooked, drain the boba and:
- Rinse with cold water, or
- Put them in a bowl of cold water, or
- Put them directly into the brown sugar syrup to keep them from sticking.
Make the Brown Sugar Syrup
- While the boba cooks, mix equal parts water and brown sugar in a small pot.
- Heat on medium-high, stirring now and then, until the sugar melts.
- Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes to thicken a bit, then take it off the heat.
- Add the cooked boba to the syrup and stir.
- Let the boba soak in the syrup for 40-60 minutes to absorb more flavor.
Brew the Jasmine Tea:
- Heat water to about 176ºF/80ºC (don’t let it boil).
- Steep the tea leaves or tea bag in the hot water for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea leaves or bag (using a tea infuser or a cheesecloth wrap makes this easier).
- Mix in the taro powder until well combined.
- Let the tea cool, especially if you want iced tea.
Put Together the Taro Milk Tea:
- Use tall glasses for serving.
- First, add the boba and syrup mixture to the glass.
- If you want, add ice next.
- Pour in the tea, then add the milk.
- Stir everything together and enjoy!
Notes
- Boba can get hard and not taste good if left too long, so eat them within 4 hours.
- You can add more or less brown sugar syrup to make the drink sweeter or less sweet.
- Use different types of milk or cream and add more or less to make the drink as creamy as you like.
- If you’re using fresh taro, wear gloves because it can irritate your skin.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 235 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 52g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Sugar | 14g |
| Fibre | 3g |
| Iron | 1mg |
| Calcium | 105mg |
Can I Use Fresh Taro Paste?
Yes, you can! Peel and cut the taro into cubes, then boil until soft (about 20 minutes). Mash it, then blend with milk until smooth. Mix this with the tea and pour over the tapioca (if you’re using it).
Fresh taro paste will make the drink a bit thicker and lighter in color than taro powder. You’ll need about 1.75-2.6 oz (50-75 g) of taro paste per drink.
How Long Does Taro Bubble Tea Last?
Taro bubble tea can be kept in the fridge for about 24 hours if it’s fresh. Just remember, the tapioca pearls won’t stay good as long as the tea.
How Do I Store Boba Overnight?
To keep cooked boba fresh, store them in simple sugar syrup. Put them in an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap while they are in the syrup. In the fridge, they will last up to 36 hours.