Beverage
Easy Taro Milk Tea Recipe w/ Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
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.
Table content
- 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
- Preparing the Taro
- Making Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
- Assembling Your Taro Milk Tea
- Taro Milk Tea Flavor Variations
- Conclusion: Taro Milk Tea
- Taro Milk Tea Recipe w/ Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
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.
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.
Nutrition Facts
Taro Milk Tea Recipe w/ Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
Serves: 1-2 servings
|
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
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