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Boba Thai Tea (Bubble Tea)
Thai tea and boba are a perfect match: creamy spiced tea up top, chewy tapioca pearls down below. Here is how to cook the boba and build a bubble-tea-shop-quality cup at home.
What you need
- 1/2 cup dried tapioca pearls (boba)
- 3 tbsp Thai tea mix + 1.5 cups hot water
- 2-3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp evaporated or oat milk
- Brown sugar or simple syrup (for the boba)
- Ice; a wide boba straw
Step 1: Cook the boba
- Boil plenty of water, add the pearls, and cook per package time (usually 5-15 min) until chewy.
- Drain, then soak the pearls in a little brown sugar or simple syrup for 5-10 minutes - this sweetens them and keeps them soft.
Step 2: Brew & build
- Steep the Thai tea mix in hot water for 5 minutes, strain, and stir in condensed milk. Cool.
- Assemble: spoon the syrupy boba into a glass, add ice, pour in the sweetened tea, and float evaporated/oat milk on top.
- Serve with a wide straw and stir before drinking.
Texture tip: cook boba just before serving - tapioca hardens in the fridge and won't soften back up well.
Gear & mix
ChaTraMue Original Thai Tea Mix
The authentic spiced base for boba Thai milk tea.
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Tapioca Pearls + Boba Straws Kit
Quick-cook pearls and wide straws - everything to make it a proper bubble tea.
Check price on Amazon →FAQ
How long does cooked boba last?
Best within a few hours. Keep it in syrup at room temperature and use the same day - refrigeration makes pearls hard.
Can I use the quick-cook pearls?
Yes - 5-minute tapioca pearls are the easiest for home and taste great when soaked in sugar syrup after cooking.
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