Step 1 of 5
Bubble milk tea
Bring 1 litre of water to a rolling boil. Add the pearls, stir once so they do not stick, and boil uncovered until they float and turn translucent at the edges, 20 to 25 minutes for standard dried pearls or as the packet says for quick-cook ones.
Watch: Pearls added to water that is not boiling dissolve into glue.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Bubble milk tea take?
50 min all in — 10 min prep, 40 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 2 glasses. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Gluten-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Saucepan, Timer.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list a salt amount. We will not invent one.
How much brown sugar?
80 g (dark) of Brown sugar.
How much sugar?
2 tbsp (or to taste) of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Black tea → Jasmine green tea or oolong. Both are standard shop options. Brew green tea cooler, at 80°C, to avoid bitterness.
What should I watch for?
Pearls added to water that is not boiling dissolve into glue.
Any tips from this recipe?
Pearls do not keep. Cook what you will drink within a few hours and never refrigerate them. Swap the milk for oat milk and the brown sugar for the same; the pearls themselves are vegan. Try it with a splash of sweetened condensed milk in place of the sugar. Many shops do.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.