Bring a medium-sized saucepan of water to a boil.
Add 3-4 tablespoons of uncooked white boba pearls per serving.
Cook for 1 hour, stirring often.
Strain the partially cooked boba.
Rinse gently with warm water.
Add the boba to a bowl, cover with cold water, and cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
Leave the pearls to soak in the fridge for at least 8 hours.
Strain the boba pearls again and place them into boiling water for a second time. Boil them until they turn clear. This should take 10-20 minutes.
Add boba to a bowl and mix in simple syrup so that the boba is fully coated.
Mix 2 tbsp instant coffee with ¼ cup of water. Alternatively, use brewed espresso and set it aside.
Add crystal boba to your glass.
Fill your glass half full of ice.
Pour milk or a dairy alternative over the ice until about ¾ full.
Add the espresso mixture to the glass.
Add your boba straw, stir, and enjoy.