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Flavorful Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea Recipe with Easy Homemade Pearls

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A delightful homemade brown sugar boba milk tea featuring chewy tapioca pearls and rich caramelized brown sugar syrup, perfect for a comforting and customizable drink experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 100g (3.5 oz) tapioca starch
  • 150g (3/4 cup) brown sugar
  • 200ml (3/4 cup + 100ml / 1/3 cup) water
  • 250ml (1 cup) black tea leaves or strong brewed black tea (Assam or Earl Grey recommended)
  • 250ml (1 cup) whole milk (or oat/almond milk for dairy-free option)
  • Ice cubes
  • Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Make the brown sugar syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 150g (3/4 cup) brown sugar with 100ml (1/3 cup) water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and syrup thickens slightly (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Prepare the tapioca dough: Place 100g (3.5 oz) tapioca starch in a mixing bowl. Slowly pour about 100ml (1/3 cup) boiling water into the starch while stirring quickly with a spoon. It will start to form clumps.
  3. Knead the dough: Once cool enough to handle, knead the dough on a clean surface until smooth and pliable (about 5 minutes). If sticky, add a little more starch; if crumbly, wet your hands and keep kneading.
  4. Roll into pearls: Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll into tiny balls about 8mm (1/3 inch) in diameter. Keep the rolled pearls on a tray dusted with starch to avoid sticking.
  5. Cook the pearls: Bring 1 liter (4 cups) water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add pearls and stir gently to prevent sticking. Cook for 15 minutes, then cover and let sit off heat for 15 more minutes. Pearls should be chewy but tender.
  6. Rinse and soak: Drain pearls with a slotted spoon and rinse under cold water. Transfer to the brown sugar syrup and stir gently to coat. Let soak for at least 10 minutes to absorb flavor.
  7. Brew the tea: Brew 250ml (1 cup) strong black tea using loose leaves or tea bags. Let cool slightly, then stir in milk and vanilla extract if using.
  8. Assemble the drink: Add a generous spoonful of brown sugar pearls to a tall glass. Fill with ice cubes, pour milk tea over, and stir gently.

Notes

Keep a wet towel nearby when rolling pearls to make shaping easier. Stir pearls gently during cooking to prevent clumping. Pearls are done when they float and have a shiny, translucent look with a firm but tender bite. Store leftover pearls submerged in brown sugar syrup in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat gently before use. For dairy-free, swap milk with oat, almond, or coconut milk. Adjust sweetness by varying brown sugar amount.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar boba, milk tea, homemade pearls, tapioca pearls, bubble tea, brown sugar syrup, chewy pearls, DIY boba, Taiwanese drink

Find it online: https://lemonydrinks.com/flavorful-brown-sugar-boba-milk-tea-recipe-with-easy-homemade-pearls/