We’re not going to lie – our bubble tea recipe is simple, fruity and oh-so-addictive. In fact, it’s one of our most popular recipes. So we decided to shake things up a bit and take your bubble tea game to the next level with a two-tone version that uses both a loose leaf blend and a matcha green tea powder. Are you thirsty yet?
Originating in Taiwan in the early 1980s, bubble tea has since taken over the world with its refreshing and fruity flavour and squishy tapioca pearls. Also called boba tea and pearl milk tea, there’s no shortage of names (or flavours) for this delicious treat – but no matter what you call it, everyone agrees it’s bubblicious.
What do you need to make bubble tea?
To make bubble tea at home, you need three core ingredients: tea, milk and tapioca pearls.
Tea:
Let your cravings decide for you. Black tea gives the drink an extra richness; an herbal tea is great if you’re looking for a fruity pop of flavour; and a matcha green tea can give you an energizing boost.
Milk:
We always reach for rich and creamy whole milk when creating this recipe. But we’re also fans of natural flavoured nut and oat milks – great for balancing the sweetness of the evaporated milk.
Tapioca Pearls:
The real star of this drink is the tapioca pearls. Chewy and silky, their texture sits somewhere between a gummy bear and a gusher. You can find them, and the boba straws, at your local Asian market or stock up by ordering online.
Best teas for bubble tea
Just about any tea works for this recipe but avoid any that contain hibiscus as it can make the milk curdle. Other than that, the choice is yours. Some of our faves include Guangzhou Milk Oolong and Cream of Earl Grey.
How much caffeine is in bubble tea?
Another great thing about making bubble tea at home? You can choose your level of caffeine by selecting the right tea. Go for a caffeine-free infusion like Forever Nuts if you’re making this with the kids, or reach for Maple Matcha when you need an energizing pick-me-up.
TWO-TONE BUBBLE TEA RECIPE
Makes: 1 x 16 oz drinks
Total time: 15 min
Two-tone Bubble Tea Recipe
Print recipeIngredients
- 2 Perfect Spoons of Forever Nuts
- 5 Matcha Spoons of Vanilla or Peach Matcha
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ cup cooked tapioca pearls
- 1 cup ice
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Steep 2 Perfect Spoons of Forever Nuts in ½ cup of near-boiling 90°C/200°F water for 8 min. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Strain into a measuring cup and place in the fridge to cool for at least 5 min. | |
| Step 3 | |
| In a small bowl, whisk 5 Matcha Spoons of Vanilla or Peach Matcha in ½ cup of hot 80°C/176°F water until frothy. Stir in both the evaporated and regular milk. | |
| Step 4 | |
| In a tall glass, add cooked tapioca pearls and top with ice. Pour enough matcha to fill half the glass. | |
| Step 5 | |
| Set a spoon flush against the glass and slowly pour over the steeped Forever Nuts tea. | |
TRADITIONAL BUBBLE TEA RECIPE
Makes: 1 x 16 oz drinks
Total time: 10 min
Traditional Bubble Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Perfect Spoons of Guangzhou Milk Oolong tea
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup cooked tapioca pearls
- 1 cup ice
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Steep 4 Perfect Spoons of Guangzhou Milk Oolong tea in 1 cup of near-boiling 90°C/200°F water for 5 min. | |
| Step 2 | |
| In a tall glass, add cooked tapioca pearls and top with ice. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Pour steeped tea until it reaches ¾ of the glass, then top with milk. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Sip and bite into a tapioca pearl with joy. | |
