How to make Bubble Tea (the Healthy Way)
My fascination with bubble tea started a few years ago, but I had never had the gumption to try to make it at home. For one thing, I had no idea where to get those giant tapioca pearls…and I had no idea how to cook them.
Then, when I moved to the city for college, my room-mate happened to know all about bubble tea. I got really excited.
So I came up with a mild, but naturally sweet blend and she cooked the pearls. We couldn’t find the big black tapioca ones, but actually found a bag of rainbow coloured pearls instead. Of course, this was much more exciting! Now my mind is spinning at all the wonderful versions we could make!
So pretty, right?!
The normal bubble tea you might buy at your Asian shop is usually made with sugar, fruit mixes, and dairy. This recipe is not only dairy free, but is sugar free. Hello healthy. This will serve 2.
Tropical Bubble Tea
- 1/4 cup tapioca pearls, dried
- 1/2 cantaloupe
- 1/4 cup peaches, frozen
- 1/4 cup mangoes, frozen
- 9 drops of liquid vanilla stevia*
- 1/2 cup almond milk
*I used NuNaturals stevia
Add 2-3 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the pearls and stir gently.
Turn the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat, cover, and let the pearls sit for another 15 minutes. It might take a while, but just let them sit and soak up the water as they cool. Give them a stir now and then. Once cooked, place 1/3 cup of pearls in two glasses.
Blend the fruit, almond milk, and stevia in a blender.
Pour over the pearls and add a big straw (or eat with a spoon like I did!). Enjoy!
Have you tried bubble tea? Do you like it? Would you ever make it at home?
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Category: Dairy Free, Drinks & Smoothies, Gluten Free, Kid Friendly, Recipes, Vegan | Tags: bubble tea basics, canteloupe bubble tea, canteloupe smoothie recipe, dairy free bubble tea, fruit smoothie bubble tea, healthy bubble tea recipes, healthy way to make bubble tea, how to make bubble tea, never made bubble tea, sugar free bubble tea recipes, tropical bubble tea recipe, what is bubble tea 17 comments »
So fun. I sometimes just put chia seeds in my tea drink for a similar effect.
Where do I buy the dried tapioca pearls? This looks amazing!
Thanks so much for posting this recipe! I’ve had some tapioca pearls just sitting in my cupboard because I was too nervous to try it. Now, I can’t wait!!! :D
I’ve never heard of bubble tea but it looks amazing. I really want to try it.
Okay, so my confession is that I’ve always been slightly freaked out by bubble tea, but my friends swear it’s amazing, and yours looks so pretty!! So I think I will have to finally give it a shot ;)
I love bubble tea! But I hardly ever have it because it’s so super sweet and I know not the best thing that I could be drinking. But it’s fun to have every once in a while and I’m excited to learn how to make it a bit healthier. Thanks for the recipe!
I’ve never had bubble tea before but now I want to try it because your recipe looks yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Love it! I’ve always wanted to try bubble tea but I didn’t want the sugar. Thanks!
i’ve only had bubble tea a couple times, but would have never thought to make it myself! fun recipe!
Ohhhhhhhh I love bubble tea! Thanks for sharing what seems to look and sound like a tasty and refreshing recipe! :)
love this! i’ve always wanted to make it too! YAY! thanks friend. Happy Friday.
This is great! I recently became obsessed with Bubble tea and they have it everywhere here in NYC. I can’t wait to try this healthy alternative! xo
My favorite is honeydew or taro.
Becky – Taro is my fave too!
Yuuummmmeerrrssss!
I know this is old, and I may be nitpicking, but don’t frozen fruits have more bad sugars than fresh? (If push comes to shove, I’ll absolutely use frozen! :D I’ve just always heard it has sugar or more preservatives or some such thing..)
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