Colorful, indulgent, and fun to drink with its oversized straw, bubble tea is no longer reserved for specialty shops. With the right base, it’s easy to make at home — and in ube or matcha form, it becomes as spectacular as it is delicious. Here’s the full recipe, pearls included.
Bubble tea (or “boba”) is a drink of Taiwanese origin that combines a milky or fruity base with chewy tapioca pearls, sipped through a wide straw. We’ll walk you through everything: the pearls, the colorful bases, and the ube and matcha recipes.
Pearls, the heart of bubble tea
Classic pearls are made from tapioca (cassava starch): they deliver that signature soft, elastic texture. Two options:
- Quick-cook pearls: ready in 5 minutes in boiling water, then coated with syrup. The easiest option.
- “Popping” pearls: juice-filled spheres that burst in your mouth, with no cooking required — perfect for fruity versions.
Tip: prepare the pearls just before serving; they’re best fresh and chewy.
Ube bubble tea recipe
For 1 large glass:
- Cook your tapioca pearls according to the package instructions, drain, and coat with a little syrup.
- Prepare an ube latte base: dissolve 1 to 2 tsp of ube powder in a little hot milk, then add cold milk.
- Place the pearls at the bottom of the glass, add ice cubes, and pour in the ube mixture.
- Insert a wide straw and enjoy this striking purple bubble tea.
Matcha bubble tea recipe
The same principle with the green of matcha: whisk the matcha with a little water at 70–80 °C, then add cold milk and ice cubes over the pearls. A chasen ensures a smooth base. See more details in our matcha latte guide.
And in a fruity version
For a lighter bubble tea, replace the milky base with a chilled fruity infusion (rooibos, fruity latte) and use popping pearls. Get inspired by our Fruity Latte collection and our Bubble Tea collection.
The right equipment
- A wide straw: essential for sipping the pearls.
- A large glass: for the ice, the base, and the pearls.
- A shaker or a jar: to mix well and create a little foam.
Tips for a successful bubble tea
- Serve right away: the pearls harden over time, so they’re best fresh.
- Adjust the sugar: the base and pearl syrup already add sweetness; taste before adding more.
- Light-colored milk: for a bubble tea ube or matcha with vibrant colors.
- Plenty of ice: bubble tea is best enjoyed very cold.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make homemade bubble tea?
Cook tapioca pearls, prepare a base (ube, matcha, or fruity), place the pearls and ice cubes in a large glass, pour in the base, and enjoy with a wide straw. It’s quick and customizable.
Does ube bubble tea contain caffeine?
The ube base is caffeine-free. Tapioca pearls are too. Only matcha or tea versions contain caffeine. Ube bubble tea is therefore perfect at any time of day.
What can you use instead of tapioca pearls?
You can use popping pearls (bursting juice balls) or konjac pearls. For a quick version, some pearls cook in just 5 minutes.
Which milk is best for bubble tea?
Oat milk is ideal: creamy and neutral, it lets the color stand out. Coconut milk adds a tropical touch to ube versions.
Time for your straws
With its vivid purple or deep green color and soft pearls, homemade bubble tea is as fun to make as it is to drink. Get started with the Pure Ube range and our Bubble Tea collection.
