My colorful taro milk tea recipe is for boba tea lovers and lovers of Asian sweets! Creamy, sweet, and with chewy tapioca pearls, it’s the perfect afternoon pick me up or snack to enjoy with friends and family. Ready in 25 minutes from start to finish.
I used to visit the local bubble tea shop on a weekly basis because I am such a big fan of all the colors, flavors, toppings, you name it. I could drink boba tea – especially taro milk tea – all day long. There’s something incredibly satisfying about the way the entire drink is consumed. From the sweet but not too sweet taste of taro mixed with sugar, the chewiness of tapioca pearls, and the creamy and ice cold feel, it’s the perfect drink that tastes just like a dessert!
Going to the bubble tea shop is an adventure on its own, but it can quickly become an expensive one if you go as often as I do. That’s what pushed me to start making my own at home. And it turns out that the process is super easy (no blender necessary) and much cheaper than a few trips to the shop! The best part? I was able to make it exactly how I like it. My recipe is very simple and you will be surprised at how delicious it is. Only 6 ingredients are needed!
Table of contents
Ingredients
Scroll all the way down to the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Hot Water: Hot water is needed to dissolve and blend both the sugar and taro powder. It will also be used to steep the tea bags to your preferred strength.
- Tea: You can use whichever tea you like best. Personally, I like green tea or black tea like English breakfast or darjeeling. Jasmine tea is also a popular choice.
- Sugar: You can use light brown sugar or granulated sugar. You can even use dark brown sugar if you like your tea to have a caramel-like flavor.
- Taro Powder: Taro is a root vegetable with a mildly sweet and nutty taste. Its interior is predominantly white, with flecks of lavender color throughout. The powdered version is used this to thicken and flavor the milk tea. Many brands have added sweeteners and flavors like vanilla – and it’s not uncommon to also see ube (purple yam) in the ingredients list. Once again, the choice is up to you – choose whatever flavor combination you like. For this post I am using this type of taro powder which is the basic kind.
- Tapioca Pearls: These are the dark chewy balls found at the bottle of bubble tea drinks Also known as boba, these spheres are made from tapioca starch from the cassava root. You can buy them pre-made or make them from scratch.
- Milk or dairy-free alternatives: You can use regular milk or a dairy-free alternative. I personally like using oat milk or soy milk. Some boba shops use condensed milk, but I find it far too sweet for my personal taste.
Variations
- If you don’t like tapioca pearls, there are many other options to choose from and find at your local Asian supermarket, or online. Some of the more popular ones are popping boba pearls, coconut jelly (also called nata de coco), rainbow jelly, or freshly cut fruit such as chopped lychee, mango, or strawberries. Just make sure the fruit is cut small enough to fit through a boba straw!
- There are also many other flavors of milk tea you can make. This post is specifically about making taro milk tea, but if you prefer another flavor, such as winter melon, head over to my other post about making boba tea to get the recipe!
How to Make It
- Gather all of your cooking tools and ingredients.
- In the boiling hot water add the tea bags, sugar, and taro powder. Mix well.
- Chill the drink in the fridge.
- Boil the tapioca pearls until they float to the surface. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes. Your tapioca pearls are done when they are soft and chewy.
- Drain the cooked tapioca pearls, then rinse them under cold water until they are cold.
- Put the drink together, grab your huge bubble tea straw and enjoy!
Expert Tip
- Make sure that the tea you are brewing is stronger than usual: That’s because the flavor of the tea will be diluted with milk, taro powder, and sugar. You want to be able to taste the tea with every sip you take.
Storage
Fridge: Transfer the taro milk tea to an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer: To freeze taro milk tea, simply transfer it to an airtight storage bag or container – including the tapioca pearls – and freeze for up to 1 month. Before drinking, take the frozen drink out and leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight.
How To Drink It
Taro milk tea can be enjoyed any time of the day! It can be sipped on its own or as part of a meal. If you do decide to serve it with food, I recommend simple Asian dishes that are on the lighter side.
Some of my favorite Asian dishes that I like to pair with this drink are: Thai fried rice, kimchi udon noodles, fried noodles with soy sauce, Korean sticky chicken, dan dan noodles, vegetable spring rolls, edamame with soy and sesame sauce, cabbage and mushroom dumplings, and Japanese egg sandwich.
Frequently Asked Questions
It could be the type of taro powder you are using that’s not as sweet as the one I have. In this case, add a little more taro powder and sugar and keep adjusting until you are satisfied with the taste. You might need to also make the flavor of the tea stronger by steeping an additional bag.
Yes, taro milk tea is generally gluten-free. I say generally because certain taro powders and tapioca pearls may contain added ingredients that have gluten. Because of this, always make sure to look at the list of ingredients before purchasing these items.
Yes you can. Use a dairy-free alternative such as oat milk, almond milk or soy milk, instead of regular milk. Many taro powders contain milk powder, so always make sure to look at the label so you can find a taro powder that’s vegan. Tapioca pearls are 100% vegan so there is no need to worry there.
Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
Print
Taro Milk Tea
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy, sweet, and chewy, this taro milk tea can be made at home in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiling hot water
- 1 green tea or black tea bag
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons taro powder
- 1/4 cup quick cooking tapioca pearls
- 1/4 cup milk or dairy alternative such as soy milk or oat milk
Instructions
- Steep the tea and melt the sugar: Add the tea bag and sugar to the hot water and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the taro powder: Add the taro powder to the tea and stir until it has fully dissolved.
- Chill the drink: Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours until the tea is cold.
- Boil the tapioca pearls: Bring a small pot of water to boil and add the tapioca pearls. When they float to the surface after a few seconds, lower the heat to a simmer and cook the pearls for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are soft and chewy.
- Drain them: Drain the tapioca pearl and rinse them under cold water until they are cold. Drain well.
- Make the drink and serve it: Take the taro milk tea out of the fridge and discard the tea bags. Pour it into a serving cup and add the tapioca pearls. Serve.
Notes
To drink later, save the drink in an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Or, if it’s already in a cup, cover the cup with a lid of plastic wrap.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 264
- Sugar: 17.6g
- Sodium: 70.6mg
- Fat: 0.9g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48.4g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 2.1g
- Cholesterol: 5.4mg
