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If you love Boba as much as I do, you’ve probably tried making it at home. It’s a lot of fun to make your own Boba, and it tastes just like the tea shops make! However, your Boba can go bad quickly if you’re not careful. In this article, we will discuss several tips for how to store homemade boba, tapioca pearls, and ways to keep your favorite tea drink fresh and delicious.
What is Boba?
Boba is a drink made with tapioca pearls, milk or tea, and syrup. It is also called bubble tea, pearl boba milk tea, and various other names. Boba is popular in Asia, and it has become a popular drink all around the world. We have an excellent Boba bubble tea shop right down the street, so I stop in far too often!
The chewy texture of tapioca pearls has become very popular among boba lovers recently and is a must-have when ordering Boba! Although you can add a variety of items to your tea, such as pudding, jelly, or other toppings, tapioca boba balls are a must.
They are added directly to the tea and end up at the bottom of the cup making it easy to suck up with a large boba straw. My favorite is the pearl milk tea with a little brown sugar syrup. So amazing, yum!
Tapioca starch is the main ingredient for making tapioca pearls. It is made by crushing the cassava root and extracting its starch, which is then processed into a flour-like substance. Then, the tapioca flour is boiled and shaped into small balls. These chewy tapioca balls are then dried and ready to be sold in bulk.
Tips on How to Store Homemade Boba
If you are a boba lover like I am, then at one point, you may have sat your tea down for a bit too long and noticed it go bad. The milk may have curdled, or the pearl’s texture may have changed. The tapioca pearls soak up the liquid and become too soft. Or the drink just got too warm, thus making your Boba go bad.
Because Boba typically contains milk or dairy-based products, it’s essential to keep your drink cold if you want to wait to drink it.
Here are a few tips for storing homemade Boba to stay fresh and delicious!
Tip 1: Refrigerate Immediately
The first tip for storing homemade Boba is to refrigerate it. This prevents bacteria and microorganisms from forming, which can lead to spoilage. For best results, keep your homemade Boba in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator as soon as it’s finished.
Tip 2. Don’t leave your Boba out for too long
If you’re not planning on drinking your homemade Boba right away, don’t leave it at room temperature for even a short time. Leaving it out can cause bacteria to form, leading to spoilage. it can also cause the ingredients to start separating causing it taste gross.
Tip 3. Freeze it
For longer-term storage, you can freeze your homemade Boba! To store it in the freezer, put your Boba in an airtight container and place it in the coldest part of your freezer. When you’re ready to drink it, take out the container and thaw it overnight.
Large Batch Boba Storage
If you want to know how to store homemade boba as a big batch, then it’s important to store each component separately – the tea, the simple syrup, and the tapioca pearl balls.
- Refrigerate the tea: Tea is a perishable item, so it’s essential to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator immediately after making it. This will help preserve its flavor and keep it fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freeze the syrup: If you have any leftover syrup, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container. This will help preserve the flavor and texture when you place it into your boba drink.
- Store the tapioca pearls in water: After making the pearls, store them in a bowl of cold water. This will keep them from drying out and losing their chewiness. When ready to use the pearls, drain them and reheat them in boiling water for a few minutes before adding them to your boba tea.
How to Make Homemade Boba
Making homemade tapioca pearls is easy and fun! All you need are some tapioca pearls, water, tea, milk, honey, and syrup (if desired).
You can find boba pearls online or in most Asian grocery stores. The most common type are the black tapioca pearls. They come dried in large plastic bags, so make sure to store them in an airtight container after opening.
Making your own boba pearls is relatively simple – mix tapioca starch with water and roll them into small balls. Boil them in a pot of hot water until they float, then remove and rinse with cold water.
Making Homemade Boba Tea
- Boil the tapioca pearls: Bring 6 cups of water for every 1 cup of tapioca to a boil in a large pot. Add the tapioca pearls to the boiling water and cook for about 8 minutes until they become soft and chewy.
Note: The water MUST be boiling before adding the boba pearls. Cool, warm, or mildly hot water can make them disintegrate. - Take the pot off the heat and strain out the tapioca pearls. Place them into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Once cooled, mix the pearls with honey, sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract (if desired) to enhance their flavor.
- Make the tea: Bring some water to a boil in another pot and add your desired tea leaves or powder. Boil for 3 minutes, then strain out the leaves and let the tea cool to room temperature before adding any other ingredients. I like using Oolong or black tea, but my son prefers lighter green tea. The flavor is up to you!
- Add milk and syrup: Now, you can add the cooled tea to a cup, along with your desired amount of creamer, milk, and syrup (brown sugar syrup or simple sugar syrup work best). Stir it all together until it’s well combined. I like to add ice to my Boba, but that’s up to you.
- Add the tapioca pearls: Finally, add the cooked pearls and stir to combine- about half a cup is good.
Your homemade Boba is now ready for consumption. Enjoy! And remember to store any leftovers properly.
Some people enjoy adding additional treats to their tea, such as grass jelly, coconut flakes, or popping Boba. Have fun experimenting with different flavors and combinations to find your perfect homemade boba drink!
Proper Storage For Cooked Tapioca Pearls
Refrigerate or Freeze
If you have cooked tapioca pearls that are left over, the best way to store them is in an airtight container, and either place them in the refrigerator or freezer. This will help preserve their flavor and texture for up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Soaking in Syrup
Another way to store cooked boba tapioca pearls is to soak them in a syrup solution and refrigerate them. To make the syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a pot on medium heat until dissolved.
Then add the cooked tapioca pearls into the syrup and let sit in an airtight container with plastic wrap in the fridge,
Proper Storage for Uncooked Boba Pearls
Dry Storage
Uncooked boba pearls are best stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This way, they will keep longer and won’t go bad as quickly. They have a shelf life of about six months when stored properly- lasting quite a long time for us Boba lovers!
Freeze
You can freeze the uncooked tapioca pearls for longer-term storage. Place the uncooked pearls into an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to a year.
When you are ready to use them, remove from the freezer and cook according to the instructions on the package.
Making boba tea is easy and fun, but it’s essential to store it properly. Following the tips above, ensure your homemade Boba stays fresh and delicious!
So go ahead and make some boba, enjoy it while it’s fresh, and store the leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer. That way, you’ll always have delicious bubble tea on hand.