Tapioca pearls need 15-25 minutes of boiling plus a sugar soak to achieve that chewy boba texture.
The process seems simple but timing matters. Undercooked pearls have a hard center and overcooked ones turn mushy. We walk through the exact method that produces consistently good results.
How To Cook Tapioca Pearls for Boba Tea
Materials Needed
- Bag of dried tapioca pearls (they can be found at your local Asian market or online retailers)
- 1 large pot for boiling water
- Water
- A spoon for stirring
- Colander or slotted spoon for draining
- 1 medium-sized bowl
- Ice water
- Sugar syrup
Step 1: Gather Ingredients And Materials
Begin by gathering all your ingredients and materials together. Organize your materials, so you’re ready for each additional step as time goes by quickly once you start.
Step 2: Start Boiling Water In A Large Pot
Fill the pot with 3 cups of water for every cup of dried tapioca pearls. Make sure you have a pot big enough to accommodate the water and tapioca pearls without it boiling over.
It’s best to use a large pot so you don’t have to worry about making a mess or not having enough room to boil the tapioca pearls, also called bubbles or boba.
Step 3: Add Tapioca Pearls To Boiling Water
Once your water comes to a full, rolling boil, add the dry tapioca pearls. Be careful not to burn yourself on the steam coming from the boiling water.
Lower heat and simmer at medium heat until the tapioca pearls are soft and translucent, for about 9-10 minutes. Depending on the consistency you want, reduce or extend the boba’s cooking time.
Step 4: Stir To Avoid Sticking
Stir occasionally to prevent the tapioca pearls from sticking together or to the bottom of your pot. You should be stirring every minute or so.
Be careful when stirring because the water will still be boiling at this stage. Once they get close to being finished, they will float on top of the water.
Step 5: Prepare The Ice Bath
While the tapioca pearls are simmering, fill a medium-sized bowl with ice water. You can make an ice bath by filling a bowl with some water and adding the ice cubes directly to the water.
Step 6: Use A Colander To Drain The Tapioca Pearls
When you notice that the tapioca pearls are soft and translucent, remove them from the stove. I find the ideal time for me is in the 9-10 minute range.
Drain the water and carefully add them to your prepared ice bath. The ice bath will help the boba stop cooking and prevent them from getting too mushy. Or, if you don’t have a colander you can use a slotted spoon to scoop them into the ice bath
Step 7: Add Sugar Syrup To The Cooked Tapioca Pearls
Once the tapioca pearls have cooled, drain them once again. Return them to your empty medium-sized bowl and add sugar syrup. Gently toss to coat until well-coated. Now they are ready to add to any of your favorite bubble teas!
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The Bottom Line
Here’s the practical takeaway after researching and testing this extensively:
Theory is great, but real-world application is messier. We’ve found that understanding the ‘why’ behind coffee science helps you troubleshoot when things go wrong—and they will. Your water, your beans, your grinder, and even humidity levels create variables that no guide can perfectly account for.
Start with the fundamentals in this article, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of our best cups have come from “mistakes” that turned into happy accidents. Coffee brewing rewards curiosity.