Taro Bubble Tea
on Apr 17, 2025
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Delicious and easy to make at home, this caffeine-free bubble tea is a treat you can make with just a few ingredients. Get step-by-step instructions and tips on how to make this purple drink just like the bubble tea shops.
Taro Bubble Tea
Taro bubble tea is one of the most popular drinks at bubble tea shops. This delicious and refreshing taro bubble tea uses taro powder to naturally color and add a sweet, nutty flavor to the drink, sweetened condensed milk to give it a richer flavor, and green tea.
Taro powder is the powdered version of taro, a starchy root vegetable. It’s naturally purple. Taro is pronounced TAH-ROW.
Note from Jee
I went with green tea in this drink instead of another type of tea since it’s mellow and pairs well with taro. I didn’t want to use too bold or strong a tea flavor like black tea that would fight with the taro.
I also avoided using white tea since you wouldn’t be able to taste it all with the strong taro flavor. I think it goes really well and hope you like it too!
Recipe Summary
- This caffeinated taro bubble tea is made with taro powder, tea, milk, sugar, ice, and tapioca balls.
- Tapioca balls are the “bubble” in bubble tea and they’re sold dry, ready to be cooked in hot water. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home! All you need to do is boil water.
- My secret to making bubble tea better than anyone else is to use hot tapioca balls! They’ll be soft with a nice chew.
RELATED: 17 Bubble Tea Recipes
Ingredient Notes
- Taro powder: This taro powder dissolves easily and doesn’t make the drink grainy like others.
- Tapioca balls: The dried, vacuum sealed tapioca balls sold in Asian markets make the best tapioca balls for drinks.
- Green tea: Tea bags will work great for this recipe, but you can also use loose tea or tea sachets. No need to use an expensive green tea.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Instead of sugar, sweetened condensed milk is my trick to creating a richer depth of flavor.
- Milk: You can use any kind of milk but whole milk will make the drink creamier.
- Water: Use filtered water since better water always makes a better tasting drink.
- Ice: If you can, make ice using filtered water.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Steep tea in hot water. Discard tea bags and set aside tea to cool.
Step 2: Cook tapioca balls. Follow directions on package but all that’s involved is boiling tapioca balls in water for a few minutes.
Step 3: Shake tea, milk, sweetened condensed milk, taro powder, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
Step 4: Put tapioca balls into a cup, then add taro milk tea and ice. Use an extra wide straw to drink. With each sip, you’ll get tapioca balls and the taro milk tea.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Expert Tips
- The drink is the best when assembled and served immediately when the tapioca balls are still warm. After 4 hours, they’ll start to harden.
- Don’t wait for the tapioca balls to completely cool down before adding it to the drink. Hot (but not too hot to eat) tapioca balls have the perfect chew.
- If you prefer weaker tea, use 1 tea bag instead of 2 using the same amount of water.
RELATED: Jasmine Bubble Tea
Related
- Strawberry Bubble Tea
- Brown Sugar Bubble Tea
- Thai Bubble Tea
- Strawberry Matcha Latte Bubble Tea
- Matcha Bubble Tea
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Taro Bubble Tea (Taro Boba Milk Tea)
Ingredients
Taro Milk Tea
- 2 tea bags green tea
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon taro powder
- 1 cup ice
Tapioca Balls
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup tapioca balls
Instructions
- Make tea. Boil ¾ cup of water.If using an electric kettle with a temperature setting, set the water to 175°F. Use filtered water if possible.2 tea bags green tea, ¾ cup water
- Steep tea bags in hot water for 4 minutes. Discard tea bags and let tea cool. Set aside.
- Cook tapioca balls. Boil water and add tapioca balls.Boil water in a saucepan on the stovetop then add tapioca balls. Cook on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Tapioca balls should be soft all the way through.(Follow directions on your tapioca ball packaging if you're using a different brand than the one I’m using.)¼ cup tapioca balls, 2 cups water
- Drain tapioca balls.
- Assemble the drink. Combine tea, milk, sweetened condensed milk, taro powder, and ½ cup ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake 10 times.⅓ cup milk, 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon taro powder, 1 cup ice
- Put very warm tapioca balls into a cup, add taro milk tea and remaining ice.Use an extra wide straw to drink.
Notes
- The drink is the best when assembled and served immediately when the tapioca balls are still warm. After 4 hours, they’ll start to harden.
- If you prefer weaker tea, use 1 tea bag instead of 2 using the same amount of water.
- Use a wide straw to drink your bubble tea. With each sip, you’ll get tapioca balls and the taro milk tea.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
