How To Cook Tapioca Pearls For Bubble Tea

Tapioca pearls are a key ingredient in milk tea. Their chewy, slightly sweet texture adds that authenticity to the typical drink. Below, we will explain how to cook your tapioca pearls perfectly, and how you can store them once they are cooked.

Tapioca Pearls

Tapioca pearls or ‘boba' originated in Taiwan and are a key ingredient in milk tea that gives that chewy texture to the drink. They are made from tapioca starch which comes from cassava root. They come in different flavours, textures and sizes but the cooking/preparation process itself is simple: cook, rest, rinse, and add sugar syrup. Voila!

What Do You Need To Cook Tapioca Pearls?

To cook tapioca pearls, you'll need the following items:

  • Tapioca pearls – choose regular or quick-cook based on your time and preference
  • Water – add 6x the amount of water as you add tapioca (tapioca to water ratio of 1:6)
  • Large pot – big enough to fit tapioca and water inside
  • Strainer – to remove water from tapioca once cooked
  • Brown sugar syrup – to soak tapioca in once cooked
Chickpeas, pot, strainer, and soy sauce with brown sugar

How Do I Cook Tapioca Pearls?

1. Boil Water 

Boil enough water to meet a tapioca/water ratio of 1:6 in a large pot.

2. Add Tapioca Pearls

Once the water is boiling, add the tapioca pearls and gently stir to separate them. Continue to gently stir until all the pearls start to float at the surface of the water, then reduce the heat to medium.

3. Cook & Rest

  • Regular Tapioca Pearls: Boil for 20 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit for another 20 minutes with the lid on.
  • Quick-Cook Tapioca Pearls: Boil for 5 minutes, then let sit for another 5 minutes.

During the resting period, the pearls will absorb water, softening to their authentic chewy consistency.

4. Rinse & Drain

Once the pearls are cooked, drain the hot water from the pot and rinse pearls with cool water. This removes the excess starch that might cause clumping and sticking.

5. Soak in Brown Sugar Syrup

Once rinsed, put the tapioca pearls in a bowl and cover them with the brown sugar syrup. This step enhances the taste and prevents the pearls from drying out or sticking together. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less syrup based on your preference.

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Consistency

Cooking tapioca pearls to the right texture can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you achieve a perfectly chewy consistency:

  • Check the package instructions – different brands may have unique recommendations, so check cooking times and temperatures.
  • Don’t rush the resting period – this period allows the pearls to soak up the water and give the beautiful chewy texture.
  • Monitor water temperature – avoid turning the heat too high, which can cause pearls to overcook and become mushy.

How to Store Tapioca Pearls

  • Uncooked tapioca pearls in an unopened bag you can keep in storage for six to twelve months if stored in a cool and dry place.
  • Once you've opened an uncooked bag of tapioca pearls, cook the pearls within 3 days.
  • Cooked tapioca pearls can be stored up to 4 hours when submerged in room-temperature sugar syrup. After this time the texture and chewiness won't be satisfactory anymore.

Choosing The Best Tapioca Pearl Supplier

The quality of tapioca pearls makes a difference in texture and taste. Taipec is known for high standards. We provide pearls in different flavours, sizes, and cooking times. By choosing Taipec as your supplier, you can be sure to receive the best quality both in products and customer service.

Happy cooking!