BUBBLE TEA MILK – WELCOME!

As defined by wikipedia.org, ‘the distinctive characteristic of bubble milk tea is the presence of chewy translucent balls of pearl tapioca (or, more commonly in East Asia, yam starch), that float at the bottom of the glass. Usually the pearls are “large pearl”, larger than the “small pearl” that is customary in tapioca pudding. Cooked, large pearls have a diameter of at least 6 millimeters. Occasionally, “small pearl” tapioca is used. Both sizes of pearls are available in a variety of colors. The pearls are prepared by boiling for 25 minutes, until they are cooked thoroughly but have not lost pliancy, then cooled for 25 minutes. After cooking they last about 7 hours. The pearls have little taste, and are usually soaked in sugar or honey solutions. Bubble teas are generally of two distinct types: fruit-flavored teas, and milk teas. However, some shops offer a hybrid “fruit milk tea”. Milk teas may use dairy or non-dairy creamers. The original bubble tea consisted of a hot Taiwanese black tea, brown large pearl tapioca, condensed milk, and honey. As this drink became more popular, variations were created. Initially iced versions with a hint of peach or plum flavoring began to appear, then more fruit flavors were added until, in some variations, the tea was removed entirely in favor of real fruits. These fruit versions usually contain colored pearls (and/or “jelly cubes” as in the related drink taho), the color chosen to match whatever fruit juice is used. Popular flavors include strawberry, passion fruit, mango, chocolate, and coconut, and may be added in the form of powder, fruit juice, pulp, or syrup to hot black or green tea, which is shaken in a cocktail shaker or mixed in a blender with ice until chilled. Cooked tapioca pearls are addded at the end. Today one can find shops entirely devoted to bubble tea, similar to juice bars of the early 1990s. Bubble tea bars often serve bubble tea using a machine to seal the top of the cup with plastic cellophane. This allows the tea to be shaken in the serving cup. The ellophane is then pierced with a straw. The straw may be brightly colored, and is oversize, large enough for sucking up the pearls. Other cafés use plastic dome-shaped lids. Even fruit slushes and smoothies can have pearls added to the drinks.

Milk Tea Powder:

1.3 lbs bag

Instant mix for milk tea – easy to use powder.

If you’ve never tried the traditional flavor of bubble milk tea, you’ll have to give this a try.

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