Bubble Tea Straw Food

STRAWBERRY MILK BUBBLE TEA

Steps:

• Steep the tea bags in water for at least 10 minutes for a strong tea. You can steep the tea and store in the refrigerator up to a day in advance if needed.
• While the tea is steeping prepare the boba according to package directions on the stove top. If it is quick-cooking boba you will boil for 5 minutes and let rest covered for 5 minutes.
• Remove the boba from the pot using a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl with about 4 Tablespoons of simple sugar syrup. See notes.
• Divide sweetened, cooked tapioca pearls among 4 serving glasses. Pour 1/4 cup prepared tea into each topped with 1/2 cup of strawberry milk. Add ice if desired. Serve with fat straws or long dessert spoons to reach the boba.

STRAWBERRY MILK TEA

Steps:

• Add the tea bag to the boiling water and let the tea steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let the tea cool to room temperature. Then put the tea in the fridge to fully chill.
• Heat the strawberries, water and sugar on a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As the strawberries warm up, they will begin to get mushy. Use a fork to fully mash them as much as possible. Continue to stir the syrup, letting it gently simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
• Strain the syrup: Once slightly cooled, strain the strawberry syrup mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Press the mashed strawberries as much as you can to get all the syrup out of them. You should end up with about a ½ cup of syrup. Set the syrup aside for now.
• Make the boba: Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Once boiling, add the boba to the water. At first, the boba will sink to the bottom, then after about 20 seconds, they will float to the top. Slightly lower the heat and continue to simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and strain the boba. Run the boba under cold water for about a minute until they have cooled down. Then, stir them into the strawberry syrup to prevent them from clumping together.
• Stir the chilled tea, milk, and boba in the strawberry syrup together. Add in a handful of ice and serve immediately.

HOW TO MAKE BUBBLE TEA

Steps:

• Put the teabags or tea leaves in 100ml boiling water and leave to brew for 10-15 mins. Discard the teabags or tea leaves, then set the tea aside to cool to room temperature.
• Bring 500ml water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan set over a medium heat, then add the tapioca balls. Using a rubber spatula, stir the water and make sure the balls, or boba, are not sticking to the side of the pan. Turn the heat up to reach a rolling boil for 2 mins, then turn off the heat, but keep the pan on the stove with a lid on for another 2 mins. Drain the boba in a sieve under gentle running tap water for about 20 seconds to slow down the cooking. Using the same spatula, gently push the boba around in the mesh to make sure they don't stick and are cooling down evenly. Once they're cool to the touch, set in a mixing bowl, add the 1 tsp dark brown sugar and mix in thoroughly.
• To make the sugar syrup, add the 50g dark sugar to 60ml water in the same pan set over a medium heat. Slowly stir and let it come to a boil, making sure all the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat and leave to cool down. It will thicken as it cools. This will make approx. 80ml syrup, about 2½ servings. Any leftover syrup will keep in a jar in the fridge for up to a month. A dd the cooked boba and mix until thoroughly coated. The boba can be left covered for up to three hours. Do not refrigerate as they will harden.
• Assemble the bubble tea. Put the sweetened boba in a 485ml drinking glass, or two smaller glasses if you want to share. Swirl the boba to create a marble effect on the wall of the glass. Pour in the brewed tea and 1 tbsp of sugar syrup. Add ½ cup of ice and, using a metal spoon, stir the glass so the syrup and the tea are thoroughly mixed but make sure you don't scrape off the sticky marbling effect on the wall of the glass. Top up with 200ml of cold milk and serve with a boba straw.