How To Make Taro Milk Tea

Two tall glasses with freshly made taro milk tea with tapioca pearls.

5 from 13 votes

How To Make Taro Milk Tea

Make taro milk tea at home with taro powder, tea, milk, and tapioca pearls in sugar syrup. It's simple, creamy, and delicious – a perfect purple drink for the summer!

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine: Asian, Taiwanese

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Shelf life: 3-4 Days

Servings:

Author: Samira

Equipment

Boba straws

Ingredients

The Milk Tea

1 Tbsp jasmine green tea or black tea
2 cups hot water to brew the tea (ideal at 176ºF/80ªC)
4 Tbsp taro powder
1/2 cup milk or half and half or cream; dairy or dairy-free
ice optional

The Tapioca Pearls

1/2 cup uncooked tapioca pearls quick-cook are best, or homemade tapioca pearls
5 cups water to cook the pearls

The Brown Sugar Syrup

2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp water to make the sugar syrup

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the tea

To enjoy this as iced tea, steep it well in advance and let it chill for a few hours.
Bring water to 176ºF/80ºC on the stovetop or using a temperature-controlled kettle - don't bring it to a complete rolling boil.
Pour the hot water over the tea and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea leaves.
Add the taro powder and mix well. Set aside to cool.

Cook the tapioca balls

If using homemade tapioca balls, follow my recipe for homemade tapioca pearls . For store-bought boba, cook according to the package instructions (usually 3-5 minutes).
Once cooked, drain the boba immediately and rinse under cold water, or transfer to a bowl of cold water or straight to the brown sugar syrup.

Make the syrup

As the boba cooks, add the water and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high, occasionally stirring, until the sugar has dissolved.
Simmer for 3-5 minutes to slightly reduce and thicken the mixture. Remove it from the heat and add the cooked boba balls, stirring to coat the pearls well.
You can let it soak for up to 40-60 minutes to infuse the boba with more flavor.

Assemble

Use tall glasses. Add the boba syrup mixture - about 1/4 cup per portion. Add ice if you're using it, about 1 cup of taro tea, and finally, 1/4 cup of milk. Enjoy!

Notes

Sourcing taro powder: It is available in ethnic stores and more readily available online. Often sweetened, check for animal products, as some powders contain creamers. Adjust syrup accordingly.

Cook boba fresh: Tapioca pearls become hard when chilled. For the best texture and taste, consume within 4 hours of cooking.

To store: Consume taro bubble tea immediately for the best flavor and texture. Boba stays fresh for up to 4 hours, so boil it fresh. Jasmine tea lasts 3-4 days in the fridge, and brown sugar syrup keeps for 3-4 weeks.

Check the blog post for more tips!

Nutrition