u003cstrongu003eWhat do tapioca pearls taste like?u003c/strongu003e

Regular tapioca pearls are usually tasteless. Our homemade boba pearls are flavored with pumpkin spice and has a hint of sweetness to it. The texture is delightfully chewy and bouncy, much like a softer version of gummy candies.

u003cstrongu003eDoes bubble tea have caffeine? u003c/strongu003e

Yes, it does. If you'd like to make it caffeine free, you can use any herbal tea such as chai flavored rooibos tea or camomile tea.

Can I use store-bought boba pearls?

Yes, you certainly can! This recipe makes about 3/4 cup of tapioca balls, but you can boil less if you'd like.

I don't have have a large boba straw, can I still make bubble tea?

You sure can! You can enjoy it with a spoon!

Can I make these tapioca pearls without a microwave?

Yes you can! To a pan and off the heat, stir together 3 tbsps pumpkin puree, 2 tbsps brown sugar, 1 tbsp tapioca starch, 1 tbsp water and the pumpkin pie spice (photo 1) . Once combined, cook over medium heat and stir often, until the mixture becomes gelatinous. It will take about 3 to 4 minutes (photo 2) . Transfer to a bowl, gradually add 1/2 cup tapioca and proceed as written.

Pumpkin Spice Bubble Tea

Description

We're kicking off pumpkin season with this cozy Pumpkin Spice Bubble Tea! Homemade pumpkin spice tapioca pearls, maple pumpkin puree, vanilla chai tea and milk are served with whipped cream and salted caramel for the ultimate fall drink!

Ingredients

Chai Tea

1 1/2 Cups (340g) Water
2 to 3 Bags Chai Tea
1 Stick of Cinnamon, optional
1 Star Anise, optional

Pumpkin Tapioca Pearls

1 Tablespoon + 1/2 Cup (7g + 56g and more if needed) Tapioca Starch or Tapioca Flour
3 Tablespoons (42g) Pure Pumpkin Puree
2 Tablespoons (24g) Dark or Light Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon (14g) Water
3/4 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
8 Cups of Water (for Cooking)
1/3 Cup (67g) Dark or Light Brown Sugar (for brown sugar syrup)

Maple Pumpkin

1/3 Cup (76g) Pure Pumpkin Puree
1/4 Cup (78g) Maple Syrup

Milk

1 1/2 Cup (340g) Milk of choice, divided

Whipped Cream (optional)

1/3 Cup (75g) Heavy Cream
1 Tablespoon Powdered Sugar

Salted Caramel (optional)

Cook Mode Press to prevent your screen from going dark!

Instructions

Make Chai Tea - Add water, tea bags, cinnamon stick and star anise (if using) to a small saucepan and boil for 10 minutes. If you'd like a stronger flavor, you can let it steep for longer. Allow to cool at room temperature or in the fridge.
Make your Pumpkin Boba Pearls - In a small bowl, combine together 1 tablespoon tapioca flour, 3 tablespoons pure pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon water and 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Give it a good stir with a spoon. The mixture should be thick and gelatinous.
Add 1/2 cup of tapioca starch and mix together until a rough ball forms. Transfer the dough to a tapioca floured work surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth. As you're kneading, if it's sticky, gradually add a bit more flour. If it's dry or crumbly, add a tiny bit of hot water. The dough should be a bit tacky, but not too sticky.
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Working one piece at a time, cover the rest with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel to prevent it from drying out.
Shape your Tapioca Balls - Use a 1/8 teaspoon measuring spoon to scoop out little balls. You can dip the measuring spoon into tapioca flour periodically to prevent the dough from sticking to the spoon. Using the tips of your fingers or palms of your hands, roll each tiny piece into a smooth round ball. Place into a baking pan or shallow bowl with a few tablespoons of tapioca starch to prevent them from sticking together. Continue with the remaining pieces of dough.
Cook your Bubble Pearls - Over medium/high heat, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. The pearls will initially sink and may stick together, but keep stirring. After about a minute or so, the pearls with float. Stirring occasionally, cook the boba over a gentle boil for 20 to 25 minutes or until it's cooked though. The boba balls are ready when they are soft and chewy. I boiled mine for 20 minutes.
In a small bowl, add 1/3 cup of brown sugar.
Once cooked, reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water and set aside. Drain the pearls and rinse with warm tap water. Immediately transfer the boba pearls into the bowl with the brown sugar and mix everything together. If needed, add a bit of the reserved cooking water to create a brown sugar syrup. Set aside on the counter until needed.
Make your Maple Pumpkin - In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree with 1/4 cup maple syrup. Set aside.
Make Whipped Cream (optional) - In a medium bowl, whip together 1/3 cup heavy cream and 1 tablespoon powdered sugar until firm peaks. You can transfer to a piping bag or just spoon it on top of your milk tea. Place in the fridge until needed.
Assemble your Pumpkin Bubble Tea - Smear some salted caramel sauce on the inner wall of your glass (optional). Add half the maple pumpkin puree to the bottom of the glass. Followed by half the boba pearls. Then pour in 3/4 cup of the chai tea and 3/4 cup of milk (or to taste). Finally, top with whipped cream and more salted caramel sauce. Grab a large straw, stir everything together and enjoy! If you'd like a little more sweetness you can add some of the brown sugar syrup from the boba or more maple syrup.

Notes

Troubleshooting Boba Dough - If you find that the dough is too wet, add a bit of tapioca and knead until you get the right consistency. If it's too dry and crumbly, add a tiny bit of hot water and bring the dry pieces together. The dough should be tacky, but not sticky.

Cooked Boba - Tapioca Balls are best eaten right away or within 4 hours. I don't recommend refrigerating it either, as it will make the pearls hard.

Maple Syrup - 1/4 Cup is divided for 2 drinks. If you are concerned about the sweetness, you can reduce it.

Prep Time: 50 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes