Strawberry boba tea is the perfect treat for the afternoon or anytime really. This recipe uses five ingredients, is naturally gluten free, and takes very little time to complete. Bubble tea is nearly everywhere and has been becoming more popular in the United States, as well. Save some money by making your own boba tea at home!
Why This Recipe Works
- Fast: It takes about 10-15 minutes from start to finish to make this recipe. Even less time if you have pre cooked the tapioca pearls!
- Easy: This is a super simple recipe to make a tasty treat. Requiring five ingredients and very few steps you can’t go wrong.
- Fun: To be honest, it’s pretty fun to make a boba drink. It’s easier than you’d think and you end up making a pretty cool drink. No pun intended.
- Cost Saving: If you are someone who frequents a bubble tea spot this simple recipe can save you some money by making your own at home.
- Something a little different: Some people do bubble tea frequently but for this of you who don’t, this is an easy way to try something a little different. Give it a try and just go for it!
Strawberry Boba Tea Ingredients
You need very few ingredients to make this strawberry boba tea. Start with two bags of black tea and a cup of milk of your choosing. Beyond that, you will need a tablespoon of brown sugar, 1.5 cups to 2 cups of strawberries with the stems removed, and a half a cup of tapioca pearls (boba). A cup of water and ice are the only remaining ingredients.
In case black tea isn’t your preference or you don’t have any on hand you can use green tea instead. Also, if you prefer to use white sugar or honey instead of the brown sugar, that will work just fine as well.
Note on tea selection: You aren’t limited to green or black tea for this recipe. Those are the two we used for this recipe but feel free to experiment and try a more fruity tea or whichever tea bags you prefer or think will work well with your tastes.
What Are Tapioca Pearls?
Tapioca pearls are little balls made of tapioca starch and are also known as boba. They are made with tapioca, black food coloring, water, and sugar. It is formed into balls and has the texture of a soft gummy and look like little black jelly pearls.
Originating in Taiwan, tapioca pearls are served with flavored or milk teas making bubble tea or boba tea. It is now available in most parts of the world and after today, your home, as well!
How to Make Strawberry Boba Tea
Start this recipe by bringing the water to a boil and adding in the tea bags. You can use an old fashioned pot on the stove or an electric tea kettle, whichever way that makes most sense to you or that you have on hand. Steep the tea for 5-6 minutes and then remove it from the heat.
Discard the tea bags and refrigerate your tea so it chills while you prepare the boba and strawberries.
How to prepare boba (tapioca pearls)
- If you are using boba that has instructions on the packaging, cook them according to those instructions.
- When using the smaller tapioca pearls, bring water to a boil in a pot and boil their boba for about 5-10 minutes. Just until they float up to the top of the water. Once that happens, use a slotted spoon and transfer the boba to an ice bath or a bowl of cold water to stop them from continuing to cook and becoming overdone.
- The larger tapioca pearls use the same process as the smaller ones but take closer to 10-15 minutes in the boiling water. Just make sure you keep an eye on them!
Note on Cooking Boba: Tapioca pearls can be cooked to desired consistency. The longer you boil them the more chewy they will become, and packages can vary on preparation times. I prefer to boil the pearls for about 5 minutes until they float to the top then cover the pot, turn down the heat and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
Once the boba is done cooking and bathing in ice, add the stemless strawberries, tea, brown sugar, and milk to a blender or immersion blender. Blend it together until it is smooth and give it a taste. You may want to add an additional tablespoon of sugar depending on your preference.
Lastly, craft the strawberry boba tea. Add the tapioca pearls into two glasses. Layer ice on top of the boba. Pour the strawberry tea blend over the top of the ice and enjoy the show as your creation fills the glasses!
Serving Instructions
Serve this recipe on its own as a standalone or alongside any sort of baked goods you might enjoy. If you have guests that are less into tea and more into coffee, try making this easy boba coffee recipe while you have the boba around!
This strawberry boba tea recipe is also a great drink to pair with breakfast foods, as well! Truly any time you get a craving for something refreshing with that strawberry twist.
Breakfast Recipes to Pair With Strawberry Boba Tea
- Mixed Berry Baked Oatmeal
- Brioche French Toast Casserole
- No Bake Granola Bars
- Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
Instructions for Storing for Later
Strawberry bubble tea is best enjoyed fresh, but it will last in the fridge for about 4 hours. You can enjoy it after a day but the boba pearls will lose its texture and get hard. In this case, you can remove the boba with a slotted spoon and enjoy the rest of the drink.
How to Store Cooked Tapioca Pearls
If you have extra boba, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and fully coat them in the brown sugar simple syrup or honey so that they don’t stick to each other. You need to consume them within 4 hours, as they will start to get mushy. Do not store in the refrigerator otherwise they will harden.
- Using Simple Syrup: Simple sugar syrup is equal parts sugar and water that is boiled and stirred until the sugar is dissolved. You can use white sugar or brown sugar. Simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Using Honey: Alternatively to the simple syrup you can drain the water from the tapioca pearls and drizzle over about 2 Tablespoons of honey according to taste. Stir gently until the honey has melted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boba gluten free?
Yes! Boba or tapioca pearls are made from tapioca starch and sugar. They are fairly basic and are gluten free.
Are Boba and tapioca pearls the same thing?
Boba or tapioca pearls are both the same thing. Little “bubbles” or balls consisting of tapioca starch and sugar. You will hear them referred to as all three.
How do I cook boba?
You cook boba by boiling it in water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and then add the boba and cook for about 5-10 minutes for the small ones and 10-15 minutes for the larger ones, stirring occasionally.
When they float up to the top they are done cooking so you transfer them to an ice bath or bowl of cold water. This stops them for continuing to cook and becoming overdone.
Keep in mind that many of the pre packaged boba come with more brand specific instructions so follow those as much as possible.
Note on Cooking Boba: Tapioca pearls can be cooked to desired consistency. The longer you boil them the more chewy they will become, and packages can vary on preparation times. I prefer to boil the pearls for about 5 minutes until they float to the top then cover the pot, turn down the heat and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
What is in boba?
Boba, also known as tapioca pearls, is made from tapioca starch which is also known as cassava starch. They are little round balls that are generally simmered in brown sugar syrup. They’re both simple and sweet.
Why is boba black?
The boba pearls get their black color from the brown sugar syrup they’re simmered in when being made or a caramel coloring that is sometimes used. This preparation also helps give the pearls their sweet taste.
How did boba start?
Boba got started in the later 80’s in Taiwan. Tea drinking was a part of the culture in east Asia and tapioca balls were a common dessert. Someone eventually decided to combine the two into the drink we know, appreciate, and love today.
Other Simple Drink Recipes You’ll Love!
PrintStrawberry Boba Tea
Strawberry boba tea is the perfect treat for the afternoon or anytime really. This recipe uses five ingredients, is naturally gluten free, and takes very little time to complete. Bubble tea is nearly everywhere and has been becoming more popular in the United States, as well. Save some money by making your own boba tea at home!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: meatless
- Method: stovetop
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 black tea bags (can use green tea if you prefer)
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (can use white sugar or honey)
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1.5–2 cups strawberries, stems removed
- 1/2 cup tapioca pearls (quick cook 5 minute boba)
- Ice
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil and add in the tea bags. Steep for 5-6 minutes, remove from heat and then discard the tea bags
- Refrigerate the tea to chill while making the boba and strawberries
- To make the tapioca pearls, boil according to the instructions on the packaging, about 5 minutes or until they are floating. Drain and let cool in an ice bath or bowl of cold water
- In a blender or using an immersion blender, blend the tea, brown sugar, milk and strawberries until smooth. Taste and add an additional tablespoon of sugar (or honey) if desired
- Add the tapioca pearls into two glasses, then add the ice and strawberry tea
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