Oolong Bubble Tea (Oolong Boba Milk Tea)

What is Oolong Milk Tea?

Oolong Bubble Tea (also called milk tea) is an iced drink that originated in Taiwan.

If you want to make bubble tea, you will need tea, milk, sugar, and tapioca balls. If you want to try oolong bubble tea specifically, use oolong tea instead of black Tea.

Oolong tea is a kind of tea that’s processed midway between black and green teas.

Tapioca balls, or ‘boba,’ are chewy and soft orbs made from tapioca starch. When added to a drink, they give the beverage bubble tea its characteristic look due to its round shape.

Recipe Highlights

This oolong bubble tea is made with delicious and healthy ingredients like brewed oolong tea, brown sugar, milk, and tapioca balls. Most bubble tea shops use powdered teas which can result in a subpar drink taste-wise.

Store-bought tapioca balls are the simplest method to produce bubble tea at home. All you have to do is simmer in boiling water for a few minutes.

The ideal bubble tea is made with genuine brewed tea and warm tapioca balls, as I discovered. It makes a big difference!

Ingredient Notes

Oolong tea
If you’re looking to try oolong tea, I would recommend Taiwanese varieties that have a roasted flavor. You can use loose leaf tea, sachets, or bags–though in my opinion, it’s much easier to go mess-free with sachets or bags.

Tapioca balls
Store-bought tapioca balls are dried, so they will plump up and soften when you cook them in water.

Brown sugar
I prefer brown sugar because it compliments bold teas like oolong, though you can use white granulated sugar if that’s all you have.

Milk
Any milk can be used, including plant-based milk like oat milk. Whole milk or half & half will make this drink creamier.

Water
For tastier tea, use filtered water if you can.

Ice
If possible, use filtered water to make your ice.

Recipe Notes

When tapioca balls are heated, they become soft and chewy – like mochi. I usually wait until the balls have cooled down a little so I don’t burn my mouth before adding them to drinks.

Use tea bags or tea sachets.
Since bubble tea is composed of milk and sugar, you are not required to use the best quality tea leaves (loose-leaf). Tea bags or sachets are okay to use as they won’t create a mess.

Cooking tapioca balls in brown sugar syrup makes them sweeter.
This recipe uses brown sugar syrup (brown sugar and water) to sweeten both the tapioca balls and the drink itself.