How to cook tapioca pearls
Pearls are the reason people quit home boba on night one. Follow the bag, respect the rest, and keep them in syrup until serving.
Quick-cook pearls (most home kitchens)
Boil plenty of water. Add pearls and stir so they do not stick. Most bags ask for 5-8 minutes at a rolling boil, then 5 minutes off heat with the lid on.
Rinse briefly only if the bag says so. Toss with brown sugar syrup to coat and stop clumping.
- Use a wide pot: pearls need room to float
- Cover during the rest step for a chewy centre
- Serve within 1-2 hours; refrigerate turns them stiff
Raw pearls
Raw tapioca needs longer boiling (often 30+ minutes) and more attention. Save them for weekend projects until you are hooked.
Starter kit pick: First Pour
Pearls, syrup, and a straw that can lift them. Use any strong tea bags you already own and a mason jar to shake.
Links go to Amazon.ca and ship to Canadian addresses.
- WuFuYuan Instant Black Tapioca Pearls 1 kgView on Amazon.ca ↗
- Black Cats Brown Sugar Boba Syrup 12 ozView on Amazon.ca ↗
- ALINK Reusable Boba Straws 4-pack (12 mm)View on Amazon.ca ↗
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Need pearls only? WuFuYuan pearls on amazon.ca.