Learn how to boil tapioca pearls for bubble tea with this step-by-step guide. Achieve the perfect chewy texture every time.You’ve probably seen Bubble Tee somewhere and wondered what those little balls at the bottom are. Tapioca pearls are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. They are transparent and have an unmistakable springy texture.These pearls are made from tapioca starch, which is obtained from the root of the yuca, a tuber very common in Latin America. This ingredient has been used for centuries in East Asian cuisine, to provide texture and consistency to various preparations.

How to Boil Tapioca Pearls for Bubble Tea.

Ingredients & Tools:

• Tapioca pearls
• Water
• Pot
• Strainer

1. You should bring a large pot of water to a boil (ideally over high heat). Once the water reaches boiling point, you can add the pearls, then lower the flame to minimum and let them cook for 40-60 minutes. 
2. It is very important to stir the pearls constantly to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure that they cook as evenly as possible. You will see how the colour and texture of the pearls will change, until they become almost transparent and slimy. 
3. Remember to test them to make sure they are fully cooked and the center is not hard. 
4. Once they are ready, you should strain them and run them under cold water to stop the cooking and remove excess starch. While they cool, you can prepare the syrup to serve them with the drink of your choice. 
5. Simply put equal parts water and sugar in a pot over low heat. You can add more sugar or water to obtain a more fluid or thick consistency, according to your taste, but we recommend that the preparation be thick, almost like caramel. 
6. Then you add the pearls to your syrup and they are ready to add to any drink you want. 

Tips for Perfect Tapioca Pearls

• Make sure to use the right ratio of water to tapioca pearls to prevent them from sticking together or becoming too mushy.
• Stir the tapioca pearls gently while cooking to ensure they cook evenly.
• Keep an eye on the cooking time, as overcooked tapioca pearls can become too soft and lose their chewy texture.
• Rinse the cooked tapioca pearls under cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain their shape.

If you have already cooked them, you should mix them with honey or a syrup of water and sugar to prevent them from sticking together, and consume them within a couple of days.Another way to store them is by freezing them. We recommend spreading them out on a tray or large container so that the pearls do not touch each other, and leaving them in the freezer covered with plastic. This way the pearls will freeze separately and you can take out the amount you want to cook without having to defrost them all.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can achieve perfectly cooked tapioca pearls that will take your homemade bubble tea to the next level.