Bubble tea is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. Also known as boba tea, it is a delightful combination of the tapioca pearls, a tea base, creamy milk, and your choice of flavourings and sweeteners. A well-brewed tea perfectly harmonises with all these ingredients creating this delightful symphony of modern flavours in Boba.

Tea’s the Star in Boba

In boba tea, the tea itself acts like a base upon which the other flavours build. High-quality tea leaves boast a complex flavour profile, with notes that can range from floral to earthy. These nuances shine through in the final drink, creating a more balanced and interesting boba tea. Conversely, low-grade tea leaves can be bitter or dull, leaving the boba tasting one-dimensional and reliant on sugary additives to mask the unpleasantness. So, for a truly delicious boba experience, using premium tea leaves like CTC or Orthodox can be a game changer.

 

DIY Boba Tea: Bubble Up Your Day!

Here’s a simple recipe to make your own bubble tea at home -

Ingredients:

• For the Tapioca Pearls:

1/4 cup Tapioca pearls

2 cups water

2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)

• For the Tea:

2 tsp CTC tea leaves by Rujani

1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup milk (optional)

Honey or sugar, to taste

• For Assembly:

Ice cubes

Your favourite flavoured syrups (optional)

Instructions:

Cook the Tapioca Pearls:

1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2. Add tapioca pearls and cook according to package instructions, until translucent.
3. Drain the cooked pearls and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
4. If desired, add brown sugar to the rinsed pearls and mix well for a touch of sweetness.

Brew the Tea:

1. Steep the tea leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Strain them and let the tea cool down.

Assemble the Bubble Tea:

1. Add ice cubes to a tall serving glass.
2. Pour in the cooled tea.
3. Add milk (optional) and desired amount of honey or sugar to taste.
4. Add the cooked tapioca pearls.
5. Drizzle with your favourite flavoured syrup (optional) for an extra flavour boost.
6. Enjoy your delicious bubble tea!

Tips:

1. You can experiment with different types of tea, such as CTC or Orthodox.  A good tea is the key to an amazing glass of boba.
2. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your preference.
3. For a creamier texture, use full-fat milk or add some whipped cream on top.
4. You can use Sago pearls, instead of Tapioca. The cooking time for the pearls will vary accordingly.
5. You can find flavoured syrups in various flavours like mango, strawberry, or taro to customise your boba experience.

For more such enjoyable reading on tea and its history and value, head to our blog, The TeaGRAM and find out more about the nuances of tea.