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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!

 

Oolong Tea

 

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.

Oolong Bubble Tea (Oolong Boba Milk Tea)

Servings

2

servings
Serving Size

8

oz
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Calories

309

kcal
Steep Time

5

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup

    of Filtered Water

  • 2 sachets (or tea bags) of Oolong Tea
  • 3 tablespoons of Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup

    of milk (any kind, including half & half)

  • 3/4 cup

    of Ice

  • 2 shots

    of espresso

  • 1/4 cup of Tapioca Pearls

Directions

  • Make Tea

    Steep oolong tea in hot water for 5 minutes. and cool.
    Set the water temperature to 195°F if you're using an electric kettle with a temperature setting. Use filtered water when possible.
    Discard tea sachets and stir in brown sugar.
    Set aside to cool.

  • Cook Tapioca Balls

    Boil ¾ cup of water and sugar in a saucepan. Add tapioca balls.
    Combine water and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. When you see big bubbles (2-4 minutes), add tapioca balls. Keep boiling for 8 more minutes on medium-high heat. Cool slightly, until tapioca balls aren't too hot to eat. They should still be quite warm.

  • Assemble Drink

    Add warm tapioca balls in brown sugar syrup into a cup. 
Add ice, cooled down tea, and milk.
    Serve immediately and stir before drinking. Use an extra wide straw to drink.

Equipment

NOTES

  • Brown sugar goes well with bold teas like oolong, but you can use white granulated sugar if that’s all you have.
  • Any milk can be used, including plant-based milk like oat milk. Whole milk or half & half will make this drink creamier.
  • Like soft and chewy mochi, tapioca balls will have a similar texture when they’re very warm. I add them to drinks when they have cooled down enough to eat without burning my mouth.
  • Since bubble tea is made with milk and sugar, you don’t need to use the highest quality tea (loose tea). Feel free to use tea bags or tea sachets as they won’t create a mess.
  • Brown sugar is used to make the brown sugar syrup to sweeten the tapioca balls and the drink.
  • The tea can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It will already be cool when you’re ready to use it.
  • Boba should be made at the time you’re making the drink, and not too much beforehand. After about 3-4 hours, the boba will start to harden.
  • All bubble teas are served with a wide straw so you get some tapioca balls with each sip of tea.
  • Make sure to chew the tapioca balls instead of swallowing them whole.

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This recipe comes from: www.ohhowcivilized.com

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