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.
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.
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.
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!