Your Guide To Choosing The Right Tapioca Pearls

Bubble tea is known to have “bubbles” inside. For milk tea, such as taro milk tea or brown sugar milk tea, these bubbles are known as tapioca pearls or boba. But how do you choose which kind of tapioca pearl to use in your milk teas? Let us explain.

The Types Of Tapioca Pearls We Offer At Taipec

Our tapioca pearls come in different flavours, sizes, textures, and cooking methods. Let’s begin.

1. Black Tapioca Pearls

Perfect for any original or classic milk tea variation.

  • Come in 2 sizes: 8mm – 9.5mm and 8.5mm – 9.5mm.
  • Available in 1kg – single unit, 1kg – box of 12, 3kg single unit or 3kg – boxes of 6.
  • In regards to chewyness levels, our tapioca pearls come in firm chewyness level.
Product Name SKU Diameter Bag Size Chewiness
Black Tapioca Pearls 83TE04  9-10mm 1kg Firm
Black Tapioca Pearls 83TE04B12 9-10mm 1kg x12 Firm
Black Tapioca Pearls 83TE07 8-9mm 1kg Firm
Black Tapioca Pearls 83TE07B12 8-9mm 1kg x12 Firm
Black Tapioca Pearls 83TE03 9-10mm 3kg Firm
Black Tapioca Pearls 83TE03B6 9-10mm 3kg x6 Firm

Cooking Instructions:

  • Boil for 20 minutes.
  • Let rest for another 20 minutes.

Cooking regular black tapioca pearls takes approx. 40 to 60 minutes, depending on how long you cook, rest and clean the pearls.

Regular Black Tapioca Pearls on spoon

2. Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearls

For a sweeter and caramel-like flavour, we suggest brown sugar tapioca pearls.

  • Available in 8mm – 9mm and 9mm – 10mm sizes.
  • The regular brown sugar tapioca pearls are available in different packaging options: 1kg vs. 3kg, and in single unit or in boxes of 12 or 6.
  • They are available in medium or soft textures.
  • We also offer a quick-cook type of brown sugar tapioca pearl. These only take about 10 minutes total—5 minutes to cook and 5 minutes to rest. These are available in firm textures in 9mm – 10mm in a 1kg single unit or in a box of 12.
Product Name SKU Diameter Bag Size Chewiness
Quick Cook Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83TE05 9-10mm 1kg Firm
Quick Cook Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83TE05B12 9-10mm 1kg x12 Firm
Regular Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83LT01 8-9mm 3kg Medium
Regular Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83LT01B6 8-9mm 3kg x6 Medium
Regular Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83TO05 8-9mm 3kg Soft
Regular Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83TO05B6 8-9mm 3kg x6 Soft
Boba Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83TO06 9-10mm 3kg Soft
Boba Brown Sugar Tapioca Balls 83TO06B6 9-10mm 3kg x6 Soft

Whether quick or regular cook, brown sugar pearls add an indulgent, sweet twist to your drinks.

Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearls on spoon

3. White Tapioca Pearls

For a more neutral look and flavour, white tapioca pearls are an excellent choice.

  • Available in regular cook (not in quick cook), and pair wonderfully with classic milk teas.
  • Sold in 3kg single units or boxes of 6.
Product Name SKU Diameter Bag Size Chewiness
White Tapioca Balls 83TO01 8-9mm 3kg Soft
White Tapioca Balls 83TO01B6 8-9mm 3kg x6 Soft

White pearls are a simple yet elegant addition to your bubble tea menu, offering a light, subtle flavour that complements a variety of drinks.

White Tapioca Pearls on plate

4. Instant Tapioca Pearls

For the ultimate convenience, instant tapioca pearls are your best bet. They require minimal preparation and are ideal for busy shops or home enthusiasts looking to enjoy bubble tea without the wait. You just heat this up in the microwave for a minute or two. This comes in 50x50g single units.

How to Choose the Right Tapioca Pearl

Choosing the right tapioca pearl depends on your priorities. For speed and convenience, quick-cook tapioca pearls are ideal when you need to prepare drinks quickly without sacrificing flavour, while instant tapioca pearls offer even faster results. If quality and texture are your focus, regular cook tapioca pearls are the perfect choice, providing premium quality and the best chewiness, even though they require a longer preparation time. When it comes to flavour and appearance, black tapioca pearls are the classic option, suitable for any bubble tea, while brown sugar pearls add a caramelised sweetness for a richer taste, and white pearls offer a subtle, visually lighter option that pairs perfectly with classic milk teas. For those seeking variety, consider stocking two or more types of pearls to give your customers more options or to experiment with different combinations yourself.

Unsure about how to cook tapioca pearls? Take a look at our YouTube video on How To Cook Tapioca Pearls!

Regular Black Tapioca Pearls next to a milk tea bubble tea