Tapioca Pearls (Boba) Recipe with Brown Sugar or Fruit

tapioca starch

🥗Healthier: arrowroot powder

💰Cheaper: cornstarch

Arrowroot powder provides a similar texture with fewer calories.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds flavor while being a natural sweetener.

Dissolve dark brown sugar in water over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a boil after the sugar has dissolved.

Turn off the heat once boiling, then add about 2 tablespoons of tapioca starch and mix well until a paste forms.

Continue adding tapioca starch in 2 tablespoon increments and mix well until a slightly sticky dough forms.

Spread some tapioca starch on a flat surface and knead the warm dough.

Divide the dough into four pieces, covering the remaining pieces with cling film to prevent drying.

Roll one piece of dough to about 1 to 1.5 cm thick and cut into mini pillows using a dough cutter.

Roll each mini pillow into a ball shape, ensuring they are round and covering them in dry tapioca starch to prevent sticking.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the dried uncooked tapioca pearls.

Lower the heat to medium-high and cover the pot with a lid, cooking the pearls for 8 to 10 minutes until chewy.

Turn the stove to low heat and let the pearls gently simmer for another 5 minutes.

Transfer the cooked pearls to an ice bath for 1 to 2 minutes to achieve a bouncy texture, stopping the cooking process.

Coat the pearls in brown sugar syrup for extra sweetness if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens