Taro bubble tea, also known as boba, is a Taiwanese drink that has been growing in popularity all over the world. It is available in many different countries around the world but originated in Taiwan. In Taiwan, people add condensed milk to give it a richer flavor. In other locations such as Hong Kong and Singapore, they do not add condensed milk so the drink tends to be lighter in color and have less sweetness. Taro bubble tea does contain tapioca pearls or ‘bubbles’ that are added into the drink after it’s made. Tapioca pearls are a type of starch taken from cassava root which is then processed and dried into little balls that look like pearls. Taro bubble tea can be found in many different coffee shops and restaurants around the world. The most common place to find taro bubble tea is in Asian countries such as Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan but it has recently started to spread to Europe and America as well.
The history of taro bubble tea
The origin of taro bubble tea dates back to the early 1980s when teahouses began popping up all over Taiwan. The first establishment was called Chun Shui Tang which sold a cold black or green tea with tapioca pearls added as a topping. In the early 90’s Chun Shui Tang started to turn their stores into cafes that sold hot coffee drinks as well. It was also around this time that the first flavored taro bubble tea came out. A new store called ‘Hey Tea’ began selling a cold milk tea topped with tapioca pearls which became very popular because it added a creamy texture to the drink. After Hey Tea started offering coffee drinks teahouses began making their own versions of taro bubble tea because people were looking for something new and fresh on the market. This is how taro bubble tea started spreading all over Taiwan and then other parts of Asia like Hong Kong and especially mainland China, where it became very popular with young people and teenagers.
How to make taro bubble tea
To make taro bubble tea you first need to start with the bubbles. This is where tapioca pearls come in. To make these, tapioca starch is mixed with water and some other ingredients depending on how it will be used. Once the balls are made they are cooked until very soft then soaked in cold water so that they can absorb flavor later on. Now that your bubbles are ready you just need to pick the tea of your choice. Some places prepare their own but if you’re preparing them at home black or green tea can work great for this recipe. You can buy any brand you want but loose leaf teas seem to taste better than bagged teas because their flavors are less muted. The next thing you need to decide is if you want to use a sweetener. Taro bubble tea doesn’t necessarily have to be sweet but it can help to add a hint of sweetness which also adds a flavor that can enhance the taste of tapioca pearls.
If preparing taro bubble tea at home, now is the time when you would use your stove. It’s recommended that you boil the tea with some sugar so that it dissolves well and all the flavors can mix together well before adding any other ingredients. You’ll also want to bring your bubbles up to a simmer so they don’t clump together as much later on. After bringing it up to a simmer let cool down until it gets cold enough to serve. Now it’s time to add the bubbles! All you have to do is strain the tea and bubbles into serving cups, then you can enjoy your taro bubble tea anytime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Taro Bubble Tea is a refreshing drink for people of all ages. It’s delicious and sweet with many health benefits as well! In addition to being tasty, it also has calcium which helps bones stay strong and healthy. What are you waiting for? Head over to your local bubble tea café today!
