Start by boiling 2 cups of water in a pot. Once it reaches a rolling boil, pour it over the 3 bags of tea in a heatproof vessel. Allow the tea to steep until dark, which usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes. The longer you steep, the richer the flavor.
After steeping, if you have time, refrigerate the tea or place it in the freezer until cool or cold. This step usually takes around 30 minutes, but you can also prepare it overnight for convenience.
While the tea cools, you can prepare the boba. Follow the package directions for the best results. Typically, you’ll bring about 10 cups of water to a boil in another pot. Add the 1 cup of boba pearls to the boiling water.
Watch as the pearls rise to the surface; this usually takes a few minutes. Once they float, turn the heat to medium and cook for about 3 minutes. Lower the heat to low and continue cooking for another 3 minutes until the pearls are soft and chewy.
After cooking, pour the pearls into a colander to strain the water. Do not forget to rinse them briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process.
While the pearls are still warm, transfer them to a bowl and top with 1/4 cup of honey. Stir gently to ensure the pearls are thoroughly coated with honey. This adds sweetness and flavor to the boba.
Let the honey-coated pearls cool for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, if you like your drink extra cold, place the 1 1/2 cups of ice cubes in a blender and pulse until crushed. This step is optional but adds a nice icy texture.
To assemble your Bubble Tea, divide the honey-coated tapioca pearls between 2 glasses. Then, pour the cooled tea over the pearls, filling the glasses halfway.
Next, divide the crushed ice evenly between the two glasses, topping off with 1 cup of milk of your choice. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. Your homemade Bubble Tea is ready!
Enjoy your delicious drink with a wide straw, allowing you to savor the chewy pearls while you sip!
