Taro milk tea has become an incredibly popular drink in recent years, with its vibrant purple color and sweet, nutty flavor. This traditional Taiwanese beverage is both refreshing and satisfying, making it the perfect pick-me-up.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to make delicious taro milk tea at home, from selecting the right taro to blending the perfect taro base. You’ll also learn tips for making tender tapioca pearls from scratch to take your taro milk tea to the next level.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to whip up this creamy, flavorful boba tea to enjoy anytime. Let’s dive in.

What Makes Taro Milk Tea So Appealing?

Taro milk tea has a unique sweet creaminess that sets it apart from other boba tea flavors. Here’s what makes it so irresistible:

Naturally sweet and nutty taro flavor
Velvety texture from blended taro root
Creamy milk base
Fun chewy tapioca pearls
Vibrant purple color
Customizable sweetness and toppings

Taro itself has a subtle sweetness and earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the dairy and sugar. The taro root adds richness without overpowering the drink.

Overall, taro milk tea is both comforting and refreshing. No wonder it’s so addictive!

Benefits of Making Taro Milk Tea at Home

Brewing taro milk tea at home has many perks:

Control ingredients – make it your way
Adjust sweetness – healthier than shop versions
Customize toppings – pearls, jelly, fruit, etc.
Experiment with flavors
Save money compared to bubble tea shops
Convenience of enjoying anytime

You can cater the recipe to your taste and dietary needs. It also makes for a fun weekend baking project.

Let’s get started with our easy homemade taro milk tea recipe!

What You’ll Learn in This Taro Milk Tea Recipe Guide

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:

Select and prepare fresh taro root
Make tender tapioca pearls from scratch
Blend a smooth, creamy taro base
Mix the taro, milk, and sweetener
Flavor and assemble taro milk tea
Customize your taro milk tea creation

You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to make taro milk tea at home that rivals your favorite bubble tea shop. Time to create this treat in your own kitchen.

Preparing the Taro

The taro root is the star ingredient that gives this drink its signature flavor, texture, and color. Let’s cover how to choose the best taro and prepare it for our milk tea recipe.

How to Choose Taro

When selecting taro, look for roots that are:

Firm – Avoid mushy spots
Smooth – No cracks or bruises
Heavy – Heavier roots have more flesh
Smaller – Around fist-sized or smaller

The purple taro variety is ideal, as it will give the milk tea its classic vivid purple hue. White/pink taro works too, but results in a lighter grey tea.

For 2 servings of taro milk tea, you’ll need:

200g / 7 oz peeled and cubed taro root

Taro Preparation Methods

There are a few different ways to prepare taro for use in milk tea:

Boiling – Simple but can cause water-logging
Steaming – Preserves flavor and texture
Microwaving – Quick but less even cooking
Baking – Brings out nutty flavor

Steaming the taro first helps break it down while retaining moisture and flavor. Then bake it to intensify the taro taste.

Best Way to Blend Taro

For the smoothest, creamiest milk tea base, steam the taro until fork tender then bake it to dry it out further.

Next, blend the taro with a small amount of milk and honey/sugar until completely smooth. This pre-blend prevents clumps in the final drink.

The taro should have a pudding-like consistency when blended, without any bits. Now you have the perfect taro base for taro milk tea!

Making Tapioca Pearls (Boba)

An essential component of taro milk tea is chewy tapioca pearls, also known as boba or bubbles. Here’s how to make them from scratch:

Tips for Perfect Boba Texture

To achieve ideal tapioca pearl texture:

Use tapioca starch, not flour
Maintain even stirring as it thickens
Cook to an internal temperature of 176°F / 80°C
Rest boba in sugar syrup after cooking

This method yields pearls with a tender, chewy bite. They won’t be hard or mushy.

Interesting Boba Flavor Ideas

Some fun flavors to mix into your tapioca pearls:

Honey – natural sweetness
Brown sugar – deeper molasses notes
Matcha – earthy green tea
Passionfruit – tropical and tart
Taro – sweet and nutty

Get creative with flavors in your boba and taro milk tea layers!

Assembling Your Taro Milk Tea

Now comes the fun part – blending everything together into delicious taro milk tea. Follow these steps for assembly success:

Blending the Taro Base, Milk, and Sweetener

Add cold milk and sweetener to the blended taro base
For a frothy foam head, blend with a milk frother
Adjust sugar and milk to your preferred sweetness and creaminess

Tip: Substitute non-dairy milks or lactose-free milk if needed.

Incorporating Tapioca Pearls

First, prepare your boba:

Cook tapioca pearls until chewy
Soak in simple syrup for at least 30 mins

Then gently stir boba into the taro milk tea base to evenly incorporate.

Presentation

For best presentation:

Serve taro milk tea over ice in tall glasses
Top with boba pearls
Drizzle with condensed or evaporated milk
Garnish with fruit, custard, or jelly

A scoop of mango stars on fruity taro milk tea makes for an extra refreshing presentation!

Taro Milk Tea Flavor Variations

One of the best parts of making your own taro milk tea is customizing the flavors. Get inspired by these ideas:

Adjusting Sweetness

Tailor the sweetness by:

Adding more or less sugar, honey, or condensed milk
Mixing in fruits like mango or strawberry
Serving with sweet toppings like grass jelly

Unique Flavor Combos

Some tasty taro milk tea flavor combinations:

Taro chocolate – cocoa powder and chocolate shavings
Taro coconut – coconut milk and shredded coconut
Taro matcha – matcha powder and red bean
Taro coffee – coffee extract and cocoa powder
Taro Thai tea – Thai tea powder and cardamom

Spicing It Up

For a spicy kick, add:

Chili paste or cayenne pepper – infuse heat into the taro
Ginger – wakes up the senses
Cinnamon – warm, sweet spice

Conclusion: Taro Milk Tea

Making refreshing taro milk tea at home is easy with the right techniques. Here are some key tips to remember:

Steam then bake taro for maximum flavor
Blend taro with milk for a smooth base
Cook boba pearls to the perfect chewy texture
Customize sweetness and flavors to taste
Have fun with creative toppings and presentation!

Now that you’re a taro milk tea pro, try whipping up our tasty honey boba taro milk tea recipe next! You can also experiment with other unique boba flavors and tea bases like matcha or Thai tea.

Homemade taro milk tea is simple, customizable, and so satisfying. Make yourself a frothy taro boba milk tea to enjoy on a relaxing afternoon.

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Taro Milk Tea Recipe w/ Tapioca Pearls (Boba)

Cuisine Taiwanese

Category Beverage

Persons

Serving Size

1 cup

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

20 minutes

Ingredients

Taro: This can be used in a few forms:
Taro Powder: The most common option (typically 2-3 tablespoons).
Taro Paste: Offers a more intense taro flavor (typically 1-2 tablespoons).
Fresh or Frozen Taro Root: Requires additional preparation steps like boiling or steaming and blending (amount will vary depending on desired flavor intensity).
Water: Used for dissolving taro powder or blending taro paste/root (amount depends on chosen taro form and desired consistency).
Milk: Choose your preferred milk (dairy or non-dairy) for creaminess (typically 1/2 cup to 1 cup).
Sweetener: Sugar, honey, or simple syrup are common options (amount varies depending on preference).
Boba (Tapioca Pearls): These chewy tapioca balls come precooked and need reheating (typically 1/4 cup).
Optional Ingredients:
Milk Tea Powder: Pre-made taro milk tea powder can be used for a quicker option (typically 1-2 tablespoons).
Spices: A pinch of ground cinnamon, cardamom, or star anise can add complexity to the tea flavor.
Evaporated Milk or Condensed Milk: Can be used for a richer flavor and creamier texture (optional, a splash).

Instructions

Cook the Boba (Tapioca Pearls): Follow the package instructions for cooking the boba. This typically involves boiling water, adding the boba, and simmering for 5-7 minutes. Turn off the heat and let them steep for an additional 5 minutes. Drain the boba and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Prepare the Taro Base:
Taro Powder: If using taro powder, whisk it together with a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup) until smooth. Set aside.
Taro Paste: If using taro paste, simply whisk it with a little water (optional) to achieve your desired consistency.
Fresh/Frozen Taro Root: Peel and cut the taro root into small cubes. Boil or steam the taro cubes until tender (typically 15-20 minutes). Blend the cooked taro with a little water until smooth.
Combine Taro Base and Milk: In a saucepan or pot, combine your prepared taro base (powder, paste, or blended taro) with your chosen milk (dairy or non-dairy). Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until warmed through.
Sweetener (Optional): If desired, add your preferred amount of sugar, honey, or simple syrup to taste and stir to dissolve.
Strain (Optional): For a smoother texture, you can strain the taro milk tea mixture using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any taro bits (especially if using fresh/frozen taro root).
Assemble: Spoon the cooked boba pearls into a serving cup. Pour the taro milk tea over the boba. You can adjust the ice level to your preference:
Hot Taro Milk Tea: Enjoy your taro milk tea hot as is.
Iced Taro Milk Tea: For a chilled version, add ice cubes to the cup before pouring the milk tea over the boba.

Notes

Taro Flavor Intensity: Adjust the amount of taro powder, paste, or fresh taro depending on your desired flavor strength.
Milk Options: Experiment with different milk options like whole milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk to find your favorite combination.
Spices: A pinch of ground cinnamon, cardamom, or star anise can add a warm and complex flavor to the taro milk tea. Add them while heating the milk and taro base.
Sweetness: Be mindful of adding too much sugar, as some taro products may already have sweetness. Taste and adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
Milk Tea Powder Option: If using pre-made taro milk tea powder, follow the package instructions for mixing with water or milk.
Evaporated/Condensed Milk: A splash of evaporated or condensed milk can add a richer texture and creamier taste. However, these options are higher in sugar content.
Storage: Leftover taro milk tea can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The boba pearls will become slightly chewier over time.

Amount Per Serving: 1 cup
Calories		250-450
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5-15g		7.7%
	Saturated Fat 2-8g	10%
	Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5-30mg		1.7%
Sodium 40-80mg		1.7%
Total Carbohydrate 45-65g		15%
	Dietary Fiber 1-3g	4%
	Sugars 25-45g
Protein 5-10g

Vitamin A Trace		Vitamin C Trace
Calcium 150-350mg		Iron 1-2mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Vietnamese food recipe

https://iscleecam.edu.vn/taro-milk-tea/

Christine Hà

Hello! I’m Christine Ha – a food nerd in love with eating, cooking, photography, science, and culture.

Vietnamese food was always on the table when I was a kid, but I didn’t really care for it until my late teens (what a waste!). I was a super picky eater and mostly just wanted fast food. Somewhere down the line I flipped a switch, and now home-cooked food is something I appreciate so much more. ⮕About me

Beverage

Easy Taro Milk Tea Recipe w/ Tapioca Pearls (Boba)

What Makes Taro Milk Tea So Appealing?

Benefits of Making Taro Milk Tea at Home

What You’ll Learn in This Taro Milk Tea Recipe Guide