This taro milk tea is quick, easy and delicious. Taro bubble tea is quickly growing in popularity and is extra fun with the additional of tapioca boba pearls. Black or jasmine tea, brown sugar syrup, taro powder and milk make this purple bubble tea a star!
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If you have never tried taro milk tea, you are in for a treat! This creamy and delicious drink is a vibrant and beautiful purple is complimented by the complexity of jasmine or black tea and sweet brown sugar syrup (or make your own Demerara Syrup).
While some taro milk tea recipes are prepared with purple sweet potato or fresh taro root but using taro powder is an easy and delicious option.
If you are a big fan of bubble milk tea (also known as Japanese bubble tea or boba milk tea, be sure to check out this delicious Hokkaido Milk Tea! Another caffeinated favorite is a cold brew coffee topped with an amazing Pumpkin Cold Foam.
I love adding boba or tapioca pearls to make purple bubble tea (purple boba tea) or you can enjoy this taro milk tea without boba as well. You will also love this Asian inspired Spicy Salmon Bowl along with your delicious beverage! Talk about a rainbow of beautiful food!
Why this recipe works
- Taro milk tea is a vibrant and beautiful purple drink that is perfect for breakfast, brunch or a to-go beverage.
- You can prepare this tea as purple boba tea (purple bubble tea) by adding boba or tapioca pearls. You can also enjoy taro milk tea without boba.
- Only a few ingredients required and can be made in less than five minutes!
Ingredients
Jasmine Green Tea or Black Tea: You can use any jasmine tea or black tea of choice. You can use tea leaves (loose leaf) or tea bags
Boba/Tapioca Pearls: I recommend purchasing easy to cook boba or tapioca pearls (prepared) to make purple boba tea. Preparing the boba takes less than 10 minutes with this method. You can also make homemade boba if you are feeling ambitious.
Milk: Whole milk, 2% milk, fat free milk. Non-Dairy Milk Options: Almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, pea milk or oat milk.
Unsweetened Taro Powder: Available in some specialty Asian grocery stores or you purchase unsweetened taro powder online.
Brown Sugar Syrup (Brown Sugar and Water): I recommend brown sugar syrup, simple syrup or demerara syrup for this recipe. You can also use any alternative sweetener of choice if you prefer, such as white sugar, raw sugar, honey or agave.
Instructions for purple bubble tea with boba
Hot Brewed Tea
- Prepare jasmine or black tea.
- Add taro powder and stir until fully dissolved.
- Add milk of choice and warm.
- Add brown sugar syrup. See preparation instructions below.
- Add boba pearls if desired. See preparation instructions below.
Cold Brewed Tea
- Prepare jasmine or black tea.
- Add taro powder and stir until fully dissolved.
- Allow to cool fully.
- Add cold milk.
- Add brown sugar syrup (fully cooled). See preparation instructions below.
- Add boba pearls if desired. See preparation instructions below.
Brown Sugar Syrup
- Prepare brown sugar syrup before making boba pearls.
- In a saucepan, combine equal parts water and brown sugar and cook on medium/high heat until the sugar is fully dissolved and you have a syrup consistency.
How to make taro boba
- Prepare quick cook boba/tapioca pearls according to directions on the package.
- Once prepared, mix then with brown sugar syrup so they do not stick to each other.
How to Serve
- Place boba pearls in glass with sugar syrup.
- Add ice if desired.
- Add jasmine or black tea (with taro mixed in) and milk.
FAQ and expert tips
Yes, taro milk tea has caffeine if you use jasmine green tea or black tea (both contain caffeine).
Yes, taro milk tea does contain sugar. This is typically a brown sugar syrup or simple syrup. Some versions used condensed milk.
Purple boba tea or purple bubble tea is taro milk tea. Taro, when processed yields a purple color.
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Taro Milk Tea
Equipment
- small pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup black or jasmine tea of choice (prepared, hot or cold)
- ¼ cup boba or tapioca pearls (prepared)
- ¼ cup milk of choice (add more if desired)
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened taro powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar syrup (add more if desired) Equal parts brown sugar and water to make syrup.
Instructions
Hot Brewed Tea
- Prepare jasmine or black tea.
- Add taro powder and stir until fully dissolved.
- Add milk of choice and warm.
- Add brown sugar syrup. See preparation instructions below.
- Add boba pearls if desired. See preparation instructions below.
Cold Brewed Tea
- Prepare jasmine or black tea.
- Add taro powder and stir until fully dissolved.
- Allow to cool fully.
- Add cold milk.
- Add brown sugar syrup (fully cooled). See preparation instructions below.
- Add boba pearls if desired. See preparation instructions below.
Brown Sugar Syrup
- Prepare brown sugar syrup before making boba pearls.
- In a saucepan, combine equal parts water and brown sugar and cook on medium/high heat until the sugar is fully dissolved and you have a syrup consistency.
Boba Pearls/Tapioca Pearls
- Prepare quick cook boba/tapioca pearls according to directions on the package.
- Once prepared, mix then with brown sugar syrup so they do not stick to each other.
How to Serve
- Place boba pearls in glass with sugar syrup.
- Add ice if desired.
- Add jasmine or black tea (with taro mixed in) and milk.
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