Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea

Name: Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients: 1/2 cup quick-cook black tapioca pearls (boba), uncooked; 4 tbsp dark brown sugar; 4 tbsp water (for syrup); 2 black tea bags; 1 cup hot water (for brewing tea); 1 1/2 cups whole milk or oat milk; 2 cups ice cubes

A Taiwanese cafe classic with chewy tapioca pearls cooked in a caramel-dark brown sugar syrup, layered into cold milk with black tea for a sweet, dramatic tiger-stripe drink.

50 minMediumServes 2280 cal/serving

TaiwaneseNon-Alcoholic DrinkStovetopVegetarianHigh FiberHigh ProteinHalal-friendlyKosher-styleNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1/2 cup quick-cook black tapioca pearls (boba), uncooked
4 tbsp dark brown sugar
4 tbsp water (for syrup)
2 black tea bags
1 cup hot water (for brewing tea)
1 1/2 cups whole milk or oat milk
2 cups ice cubes

Instructions

1

Cook 1/2 cup uncooked quick-cook black tapioca pearls (boba) according to package directions (typically boil in ample water for 5 to 8 minutes, then rest off heat for 5 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water.
2

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 4 tbsp dark brown sugar and 4 tbsp water (for syrup). Stir until dissolved. Add the drained tapioca pearls and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing to coat, until the syrup thickens and coats the pearls. Remove from heat.
3

Brew 2 black tea bags in 1 cup hot water (for brewing tea) for 3 to 4 minutes to make strong tea. Remove bags and let cool, or pour over a small amount of ice to chill quickly.
4

To assemble: tilt a tall glass and slowly drizzle some of the brown sugar syrup from the pan around the inside walls of the glass to create tiger stripes.
5

Add 2 cups ice cubes to the glass, then pour in the chilled tea followed by 1 1/2 cups whole milk or oat milk. Spoon the syrup-coated tapioca pearls into the drink.
6

Insert a wide boba straw and serve immediately, stirring before drinking.

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Questions

Is there a substitute for brown sugar in Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea?

The entry for Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea calls for 4 tbsp dark brown sugar. In its place: White sugar with a tablespoon of molasses per cup. Without molasses, plain white sugar works but bakes up crisper and paler.

How much protein is in Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea?

One serving (the recipe makes 2) has 47 g of protein in about 280 calories, alongside 23 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat, plus 6 g fiber and 636 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Can I batch Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea for a group?

Yes. As written it serves 2. Halved, the tapioca pearls drops from 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup; doubled, it is 1 cup. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. To make a pitcher, multiply everything and stir over ice at the end.

Serve it with

Taro Balls dessert
Popiah starter
Dubai Tacos dessert

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