This Taro Milk Tea is rich, sweet, and oh so dreamy! So simple to make at home - and can be made into bubble tea too!
Taro Milk Tea is gaining popularity throughout the world, and for very good reason. This tea is a creamy, rich, and delicious treat at any time of year!
But its also very simple to make at home too. With just 3 main ingredients and less than 10 minutes of your time, you can make Taro Milk Tea in the comfort of your home!
Add some quick-cooking tapioca pearls and you'll get the most delicious Taro Bubble Tea. It will be gone in seconds and your guests will thank you for it!
What is Taro Root?
Taro [also known as Eddo or Dasheen] is the starchy edible root of a tropical plant found in Southeast Asia. Taro has a mild nutty taste, a starchy texture, and mild hints of sweet vanilla.
Taro is a versatile vegetable and can be cooked, boiled, fried, roasted, or baked. Taro powder is also used to make ice-cream, pancakes, or bubble tea!
What is Taro Milk Tea?
Taro Milk Tea is a beverage made from taro root powder, milk, and tea (most often Jasmine green tea). Boba or tapioca pearls are also added to make Taro Bubble Tea.
Taro milk tea is sweet, creamy, and tastes mildly like sweet potato with hints of vanilla.
Ingredients and Variations
Taro Powder - Good quality taro powder is the base for this delicious tea! You can get this from Asian food markets or stores.
Tea - Taro Milk Tea is typically made using Jasmine Green tea. You can use leaves or teabags, whatever is accessible to you. Jasmine green tea is usually available from Asian food stores.
Milk - You can use semi-skimmed or whole dairy milk or a neutral-flavoured plant-based milk.
For a creamy version, use whole milk, although this has more calories.
If you're going for plant-based milk, I recommend oat milk, cashew milk, rice milk, or soya milk.
Note: This recipe is not vegan-friendly as store-bought taro powder normally contains non-vegan additives.
Sweetener - You can use a sweetener of your choice such as granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, or agave syrup.
Please note, some taro powder mixtures already contain sugar. In this case, either decrease the amount of sweetener or cut it out completely.
Boba / Tapioca Pearls - For taro bubble tea, you will also need boba or tapioca pearls - make sure to buy the quick-cooking type!
How to Cook Boba Pearls
To prepare quick-cooking tapioca or boba pearls:
- Boil 2 cups of water in a medium sized saucepan and carefully add tapioca pearls.
- Once pearls float to the top (around 30 seconds), decrease heat to medium-low and simmer for 4-5 minutes (covered).
- Drain cooked tapioca pearls and transfer to a bowl with cold water. Let sit for 20 seconds, drain, and transfer tapioca to a glass bowl.
- Stir in 2-3 teaspoons of sugar and set aside.
Note: Tapioca pearls are best cooked and served on the same day.
How to Make Taro Milk Tea
Step 1: Cook tapioca/boba pearls
If making bubble tea, cook tapioca pearls according to package instructions, then place them in simple syrup or sugar and set aside.
Step 2: Dissolve taro powder
Dissolve taro powder in some cold or hot water and set aside.
Note: Normally, taro powder can be dissolved in either hot or cold water, but always double-check with package instructions as this may vary between brands.
Step 3: Brew Jasmine tea
Brew Jasmine green tea leaves or teabags for 4-5 minutes in hot water.
Then, strain and discard teabags or tea leaves. If using, stir in sweetener of choice.
Step 4: Assembly
Note: This recipe yields 2 servings.
Divide tapioca pearls between two large serving glasses. For a cold version, add ice.
Add half of the taro mixture to each glass followed by half of the Jasmine tea.
Top up with milk as desired.
TIP: For a creamier version, blend milk in a milk frother before adding.
Stir and serve immediately!
Making Ahead and Storing
Taro Bubble Tea is best served fresh.
I don't recommend making this recipe ahead, but if you must, you can store your serving glasses (covered) in a refrigerator for up to one day.
FAQs
Most of the time, no. This is because taro powder typically contains a powdered creamer derived from cow's milk which is not vegan-friendly.
So unless you can get your hands on 100% taro powder (without non-vegan additives), this recipe is not suitable for vegans.
Always double-check with labels before buying.
Yes. One of the ingredients in Taro Milk Tea is Jasmine tea (green tea), which does contain caffeine.
Nevertheless, Jasmine tea contains less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee (about one-third the amount). Naturally, this depends on the amount of tea leaves used and the brewing time.
Taro Milk Tea
Ingredients
Tapioca/Boba Pearls (Optional)
- 40-80 g quick-cooking tapioca/boba pearls (¼ to ½ cup)
- 500 mL water (2 cups)
- 120 mL cold water (½ cup)
- 2 tsp. granulated sugar
Milk Tea
- 125 mL water boiling, (½ cup)
- 1-2 tsp. Jasmine green tea tea leaves (or 1-2 teabags)
- sweetener of choice e.g., granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, caramel syrup
- 160 mL milk semi-skimmed, whole, or plant-based (¾ cup)
Taro
- 4-6 tsp. taro powder
- 160 mL cold or hot water (¾ cup)
- ice optional
Instructions
- Tapioca Pearls (if using): Boil 2 cups of water in a medium sized saucepan and and carefully add tapioca pearls. Once pearls float to the top (around 30 seconds), decrease heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes (covered). Drain cooked tapioca pearls and transfer to a bowl with cold water. Let sit for 30 seconds, drain, and transfer tapioca to a glass bowl. Stir in 2-3 teaspoons of sugar and set aside.
- Taro: Dissolve taro powder in ¾ cup of cold or hot water. Set aside
- Jasmine Tea: Steep teabags or tea leaves in ½ cup freshly boiled water for 4-5 minutes. Strain and discard teabags or tea leaves. Stir in sweetener of choice.
- Assembly: Divide tapioca pearls between two large serving glasses. Add ice if using. Add half of the taro mixture to each glass followed by half of the Jasmine tea. Top up with milk as desired.For a creamier version, place milk in a milk frother before adding.
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