How to Cook Tapioca Pearls

Have you wondered how to cook tapioca pearls perfectly? Bubble tea, or boba tea, has become a worldwide favourite with its tasty combination of creamy milk tea and chewy tapioca pearls. But if you’ve ever tried making it at home, you’ll know that achieving that perfect texture for the tapioca pearls can be a bit tricky. Whether they turn out too soft, too hard, or simply don’t have the right chew, the process requires just the right technique. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to cook tapioca pearls to perfection for your next bubble tea adventure!

Once your tapioca pearls are cooked to perfection, they’re ready to be added to your favourite bubble tea recipe. Whether you like classic black milk tea, taro, or banana milk, the key is having perfectly chewy tapioca pearls to complement the drink.

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What are Tapioca Pearls?

Tapioca pearls are small, chewy balls made from tapioca starch, which is derived from the cassava root. They are typically used in bubble tea (boba), where they add a fun, chewy texture to the drink. When cooked, they become soft and slightly translucent, absorbing flavours from syrups or teas.

Here’s Why You Will Love Tapioca Pearls

• No fancy equipment needed: All you need are basic kitchen items: a pot, measuring cups and a strainer.
• Saves you money: One boba drink now runs just under $10. One pack of tapioca pearls is about $5 and can make you many cups of boba!
• Simple: You can make this recipe regardless of your cooking skill level. It’s very easy to make. Just boil and stir.
• Customizable: Once your tapioca pearls are cooked, they’re ready to be added to your favourite bubble tea recipe – like classic black milk tea, slush, banana milk or lychee infused green tea.

Equipment and Tools to Cook Tapioca Pearls

Pot

Measuring spoons and cups

Strainer

Ingredients

Alright, let’s make our shopping list! To make this recipe, you will need…

Tapioca pearls: You can find dried tapioca pearls at most Asian grocery stores or online.

Water: Use plenty of water to cook the pearls; a 5:1 ratio of water to pearls works best.

Brown sugar: For sweetening the cooked tapioca pearls.

How to Cook Tapioca Pearls

To cook tapioca pearls, simply…

Prepare the Water. Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot. Use 6 cups of water for every cup of tapioca pearls to ensure that they have enough room to cook evenly. The pearls will expand as they cook, so don’t skimp on the water.

Cook the Pearls. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add 1 cup of tapioca pearls to the pot. Stir for one minute until they float. This prevents them from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot. Allow water to return to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Partially cover with lid and cook for 25 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent clumping.

Rest the Pearls. Turn off and remove from heat. Close the lid completely. Let the tapioca pearls sit in the hot water for another 10 minutes. This helps them achieve the perfect texture – soft and chewy.

Rinse and Sweeten. Drain the pearls and rinse them with cold water to remove any excess starch. Return the pearls to the pot and add 1/4 cup brown sugar. Mix and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Consume within 4-6 hours with your favourite drink of choice.

Tapioca Pearls Options and Substitutions

Want to mix things up with this recipe? Feel free to use…

• White tapioca pearls: These pearls lack the caramel or brown sugar flavoring, giving them a more neutral taste. They’re often used in desserts like pudding or other Asian treats.
• Mini tapioca pearls: Smaller versions of the standard pearls, these cook faster and have a more delicate chew. They’re popular in puddings, like the classic tapioca pudding, and work well in lighter drinks.
• Flavoured tapioca pearls: Some brands offer flavoured pearls infused with fruit flavors like mango, lychee, or strawberry. These pearls add a pop of color and a fun twist to your bubble tea.
• Popping boba: A fun alternative, popping boba bursts with juice when you bite into them. These are made from fruit juice encapsulated in a thin, gel-like coating, that’s refreshing. These do not require cooking.
• Substitutes: basil seeds, jelly and chia seeds
• Please note that these all have different cooking times.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you need to hold the pearls for a little while before serving, keep them in the sweet syrup at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating them, as this can harden the pearls. Alternatively, you can keep them warm in a small slow cooker. I have done this at parties.

Make Ahead Options

Tapioca pearls are best used fresh (within 4-6 hours), so avoid cooking them too far in advance. They tend to harden after sitting for too long.

Recipe Tips

Use 6 cups of water for every cup of tapioca pearls to ensure that they have enough room to cook evenly. The pearls will expand as they cook, so don’t skimp on the water.

The pearls should turn completely translucent with a slight chew in the center when they’re done. If you see a white dot in the center, it means they need more time.

Test a pearl by biting into it—it should be soft but still have a bit of resistance, like al dente pasta.

Sweeten the tapioca pearls in a 4:1 tapioca:brown sugar ratio.

Tapioca pearls are best used fresh (within 4-6 hours), so avoid cooking them too far in advance. They tend to harden after sitting for too long.

The subtle sweetness from the brown sugar complements a range of bubble tea flavours—whether it’s classic milk tea, matcha, or fruity variations like mango or banana.

Quick Recipe for Classic Milk Tea Bubble Tea

• Brew strong black tea and let it cool.
• Mix the tea with milk and sweeten to taste with sugar or honey.
• Add ice to a glass, scoop in your cooked tapioca pearls, and pour in the milk tea mixture.
• Stir well and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What do tapioca pearls taste like? Tapioca pearls have a neutral, slightly sweet taste on their own. They absorb the flavours of the liquid or syrup they’re soaked in, which makes them versatile for different drinks and desserts. Their main appeal is the chewy, bouncy texture.

What goes well with tapioca pearls? Tapioca pearls pair well with a variety of drinks and desserts due to their chewy texture and ability to absorb flavours. Milk tea, fruit teas, slushes, smoothies, coffee, shaved iced or try my banana milk recipe.

Should tapioca pearls be soaked before using? No, tapioca pearls generally do not need to be soaked before cooking. Tapioca pearls are best cooked directly in boiling water. Soaking them beforehand can cause them to become mushy or dissolve too quickly during cooking. If you’re using instant or quick-cooking pearls, follow the instructions on the package, as they will require different handling.

What is the ratio of water to tapioca pearls? Use 6 cups of water for every cup of tapioca pearls to ensure that they have enough room to cook evenly. The pearls will expand as they cook, so don’t skimp on the water.

What is the ratio of tapioca pearls to brown sugar? Sweeten the tapioca pearls in a 4:1 tapioca:brown sugar ratio. Mix and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

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Lastly, if you use my How to Cook Tapioca Pearls recipe, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.