Jasmine Milk Tea (Boba Tea)

Jasmine milk tea is a refreshing boba drink that is naturally gluten free and takes only ten minutes from start to finish. Bubble tea both looks great and is simple to make. The touch of sweetness from the boba (tapioca pearls) combine with the milk and floral notes of the jasmine tea make it a perfect drink for an afternoon treat or anytime.

Why This Recipe Works

• Refreshing: With the floral notes of the jasmine and the sweet taste of the boba this tea is a refreshing anytime drink.
• Simple: Jasmine milk tea is only four ingredients besides ice and water and has only a couple of steps. You don’t have to be complex to make delicious drinks. Making bubble tea (or boba tea) is so easy to do at home!
• Quick: This recipe clocks in at 10 minutes to make all in all. If you build the boba and steep the tea at the same time it will be even less.

Jasmine Milk Tea Ingredients

In order to make this tasty bubble tea recipe you will need three bags of jasmine tea. I recommend a green jasmine tea blend but you can choose your favorite. You will also need a half cup of milk, two tablespoons of sugar, and a half cup of tapioca pearls (or boba). Lastly you will need ice and a cup of water.

What is Boba?

Boba is also known as tapioca pearls or “bubbles.” They originated in Taiwan in the 80’s and are little balls of tapioca starch and sugar. They are soft and somewhat gummy and look like little black pearls, hence tapioca pearls.

Boba tea has been gaining in popularity all over due the fact that it is an easily customized drink that can be tailored to fit anyone’s specific tastes. It’s simple to make it at home as well which is where this recipe comes in.

More Delicious Boba Recipes:

If you have extra boba or have guests that would prefer something other than this jasmine milk boba tea consider making one of our other boba recipes for them while you are already working with the tapioca pearls:

• Strawberry Boba Tea
• Boba Coffee

How to Make Jasmine Milk Tea

Step One

Start the recipe by bringing the water to a boil and steep the jasmine tea bags. Steep them for five or six minutes and then remove them from the heat.

Add the milk and sugar to the tea once it has steeped. Stir it until it is combined well.

Step Two

Boil the tapioca pearls according to the directions on the packaging. You can do this at the same time as you are steeping the jasmine tea in step one, as well, to cut down on time if you wish.

If you don’t have the packaging for the boba, you can cook them by bringing water to a rolling boil and boiling the boba until they begin to float up to the top of the water while stirring occasionally.

• For smaller boba: If you are using smaller tapioca pearls it will take about 5-10 minutes for them to fully cook and float u to the top.
• For larger boba: When using the larger tapioca pearls it will take about 10-15 minutes for them to cook through and float up.

Cooking Note: The boba can be cooked to your preferred consistency. If you boil them for longer they become more chewy so if that is your preference you can leave them cooking a little longer. Just make sure you’re keeping an eye on them.

Once the boba is cooked, drain it or scoop them out with a slotted spoon or a skimmer strainer and cool in an ice bath or a bowl of cold water to stop them from overcooking.

Step Three

Lastly, gather two glasses and divide the boba between the two. Add a layer of ice on top of the tapioca pearls and pour the jasmine milk tea over the top divided between the two glasses.

Serving and Storing Instructions

Serve your jasmine milk boba tea as an afternoon treat on its own or with baked goods or something light. If you have extra boba and want to make drinks for a group consider making extra and also making strawberry boba tea and boba coffee and have drinks for every preference.

This recipe serves well with breakfast or an afternoon snack. Here are a few pairing suggestions for jasmine milk boba tea:

• Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars
• Paleo Cinnamon Muffins
• Paleo Blueberry Muffins
• Mixed Berry Baked Oatmeal
• Brioche French Toast Casserole

This recipe is best served fresh but if you have extra boba on hand you can store it for later if you have brown sugar or honey on hand.

Storing Boba for Later Using Simple Syrup

Make a simple syrup by mixing equal parts water and sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. You can use your choice of brown sugar or white sugar to do this. The simple syrup will keep well in the refrigerator for about a month.

Storing Boba for Later Using Honey

Drizzle honey over the cooked boba pearls once the water has been completely drained. Gently coat the tapioca pearls until they are coated well and the honey has melted. This should take about two tablespoons of honey or so depending on your taste and the amount of remaining boba you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does jasmine bubble tea taste like?

The taste of jasmine boba tea is fresh and floral. It is light and refreshing. This does, however, depend on the jasmine tea you use to make your jasmine boba tea. Typically a green jasmine tea blend is used.

Is Boba gluten free?

Tapioca pearls (boba) are gluten free as they are made from tapioca starch and sugar.

Are Boba and tapioca pearls the same thing?

Boba is a common name for tapioca pearls. They are also the “bubbles” referred to in bubble tea. These terms are all interchangeable.

How do I cook boba?

To cook boba you bring water to a rolling boil and then add in the boba and boil it for about 5-10 minutes (if you are using smaller tapioca pearls) or 10-15 minutes (when using the larger boba) while occasionally stirring. They are done when they float to the top. You then immediately transfer them to a bowl of cold water or an ice bath to stop them from overcooking.

Note on Cooking Boba: The longer you boil tapioca pearls, the more chewy they will become. Different brands can vary on preparation times. I like to boil for about 5 minutes until they float to the top, cover the pot, and then turn down the heat and let simmer for another 5 minutes.

What is in boba?

Tapioca pearls, or boba, consists of tapioca starch, or cassava starch, simmered in brown sugar syrup. They are a simple and sweet treat.

Why is boba black?

The boba turns black from absorbing the darker color of the brown sugar syrup that they are simmered in when being made. This is also what gives the tapioca pearls their sweet taste.

How did boba start?

Boba started in Taiwan sometime in the late 80’s. It was a blend of the tea culture in the area with the love of tapioca pearls as a dessert. They became one at some point and is now what we know today.

Other Refreshing Drink Recipes You’ll Love!

• Strawberry Boba Tea
• Boba Coffee
• Immune Boosting Juice
• Limeade
• Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew

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