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Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea

Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea — also known as Brown Sugar Boba — is one of Taiwan’s most iconic drinks. With its chewy tapioca pearls coated in thick, caramel-like brown sugar syrup and topped with cold milk, it’s a delicious balance of sweetness, creaminess, and texture.
While bubble tea shops can be found around the world, nothing beats the satisfaction of making this trendy drink at home. This recipe shows you how to cook tapioca pearls from scratch, make rich brown sugar syrup, and assemble your own bubble tea with ease.
Whether you're a bubble tea addict or a curious first-timer, this homemade brown sugar pearl milk tea brings authentic flavor and fun into your own kitchen.
Servings 1 glass or cup (500 c.c.)
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 0 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Equipment

  • Drinking Straw
  • Drinking Glasses

Ingredients

Pearls

  • 100 g tapioca flour
  • 40 g brown sugar
  • 65 c.c. boiling water

Brown Sugar Syrup

  • 100 g brown sugar
  • 50 c.c. boiling water

Milk Tea

  • 1 black tea bag
  • 300 c.c. milk (For 1 cup of Pearl milk tea)

Instructions

  • Put the brown sugar and water in a pot to heat until the water boiling, turn off heat.
    Tapioca flour & Brown sugar mix
  • Add the brown sugar water and the flour in a bowl to mix together. Let cool, and stir the flour mixture until it forms a dough ball.
    dough ball
  • Roll and cut the dough to form a little ball.
    a little ball
  • To cook the pearls, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Add the pearls, boil until they float to the top and cook over medium heat for 15 mins, then drain the pearls and rinse with cold water to cool them down. Place aside.
    Pearls in boiling water
  • Making your brown sugar simple syrup by boiling water. Add in the brown sugar and whisk until dissolved. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool, place aside.
    pearls & brown sugar syrup
  • Steep the black tea bag in a cup of boiled water for 5 mins, throw out the tea bag and let cool.
  • It’s ready to assemble, Place the pearls as much as you would like into a large glass. Add a tablespoon of the syrup, milk and the cold tea.
    assemble pearls and brown sugar syrup
  • Stir with a straw, then serve.
  • Finish and enjoy your time.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Keyword: Bubble Tea, boba drink, taiwanese milk tea, brown sugar boba, homemade pearl milk tea