Last Updated on May 20, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Pineapple Ginger Bubble Tea – Vegan Boba Milk Tea can easily be made at home – Make the homemade version of your favorite snack drink today!
It’s time for Food Blogger Recipe Swap and I was so happy to do this recipe! Every month we try another blogger’s recipe. If you would like to join us, please join the Facebook Group here.
I am Bubble Tea obsessed. Every time I leave my house to go somewhere, I have the option of getting a bubble tea. We have an Asian fruit market on the way to my train station that makes smoothies and Bubble Tea’s which means I walk by it just about every day.. I LOVE my Bubble Tea Shop. While you can get the milk bubble tea at all bubble tea shops, not all make the ones without milk. I usually prefer the type that is just tea, flavored simple syrup, ice and boba (bubbles). My go to flavor is usually mango without milk, but why not switch it up for a change. I was excited to try Jagruti’s recipe made vegan with coconut milk.
What are boba (bubbles)?
Before we get to the recipe, does everybody know what the boba are?
Known as bubbles or boba, these are black tapioca pearls. So what makes them black? Black tapioca pearls are made from cassava starch, sweet potato and brown sugar. You can usually find black tapioca pearls at Asian supermarkets.
Here in NYC, Bubble Tea Shops are a dime a dozen. So where did this craze start? Let’s find out?
All you have to do is boil them in water until soft and tender and they can be used in a variety of drinks and desserts!
Bubble Tea History
In Taiwan, tea stands would often set up outside of schools as the kids would enjoy refreshing cups of iced tea after school. There was a lot of competition among the different tea stands and they would all try different things to get more customers.
One vendor started adding flavored syrup and then that caught on so much that all the vendors started doing this.
In 1983, one vendor introduced the black tapioca pears into her tea. After a while, this fad became a trend and it is here to stay. Just about every city has Bubble Tea. I have had it from Kansas City to Savannah to Bangkok. Now let’s find out how to make our own bubble tea at home!
As many cities around the world are alight with Chinese New Year celebrations as mine is, how about a sweet treat with your Pineapple Ginger Bubble Tea – Try the traditional Hetaosu – Walnut Cookies!
I only made slight changes to her recipe due to personal preference and my pantry stock of ingredients.
The tea flavor comes out stronger in the ones made without milk, where this one tasted more like a smoothie.
This mild flavored milk tea is a delicious treat for both kids and adults!
Pineapple Ginger Bubble Tea – Vegan Boba Milk Tea
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup black tapioca pearls
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar.
- 2 tablespoons black tea or 2 teabags
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 13.5 oz. can coconut milk
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
Instructions
- Bring 5 cups of water and tapioca pearls to a boil.
- Boil for 15 minutes, until the bubbles are soft and tender.
- Leave in the cooking liquid for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, let's make the simple syrup.
- Combine brown sugar, white sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil. Boil for about 15 minutes, until a thin syrup consistency. Leave to cool.
- Strain tapioca and add the tapioca to the simple syrup. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, combine tea, ginger and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.
- Strain tea and add 5 ice cubes.
- In a blender, combine, tea and ice, coconut milk and pineapple. Blend until thick and frothy.
- Divide the tapioca and the simple syrup evenly between 3 glasses.
- Pour the pineapple coconut combo evenly into the 3 glasses.
- Shake well and serve.
Nutrition
Please check out the other delicious Recipe Swap Recipes
- Harissa
- Chana Daal Chutney
- Fresh Green Chana Chaat
- Koeksisters – South African Doughnuts
- Til Ke Laddu – Sweet Sesame Seed Balls
- Pineapple Ginger Bubble Tea
- Masala Chai
- Ragi, Banana & Dates Smoothie
- Roasted Beetroot Hummus
- Mamra Upma
- Spiced Plantain Chips
- Fiery Habanero Pepper Hot Sauce
- Sweet Potato Soup
Ready to make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram @chefmireille #theschizochef with your pics!
How fun! I love boba tea – have never made it at home though. I’ll be holding on to this one for this summer!
definitely a fabulous summer drink!
The Pineapple Ginger Bubble Tea looks delicious and refreshing, and like loads of fun!
I’m not sure if we get these tapioca pearls here in Bangalore, India, where I live. Would love to try this out some time. 🙂
you can also use the colorful sago as well – it is very similar
I love bubble tea and this dairy free version sounds really refreshing and delicious. Good choice of recipe to make.
Thanks yes it was so refreshing with the fresh fruit
I haven’t got a chance to taste bubble tea yet. But I’m sure it will taste great and your vegan version looks fabulous. I have to look for black tapioca pearls.
yes – I am sure you will love it when you try it
I had bubble tea fr the first time when we were traveling in Vietnam and I was so surprised by the texture and the size of those bubbles! Since then, I order them wherever I find them 🙂 But I haven’t seen black tapioca pearls in markets here to make at home. Have to be on a look out for them!
I usually find the tapioca at Asian markets (Central Asian – i.e. Chinese)
I have always been intrigued by the beautiful bubble tea that I see on TV and have always wanted to make some myself. What a wonderful combination of pineapple and ginger along with coconut milk. Definitely something I am looking forward to making soon.
the homemade version is so good – I am sure you will love it~
This is completely new to me. But your description sounds like it is a wonderful tea. Would love to try this.
oh Bubble Teas are one of my faves and you absolutely must try it!!!
Its true that this type of bubble tea is new for me as I am not at all a tea lover 😉 The use of fruits is surely making a lovely flavor in the whole tea …
the fruit flavor is stronger than the tea so I am sure you would love it
So glad to see this recipe of mine on your page, you have recreated this tea so well. Looks wonderful and feel like grabbing that jar right now.
thanks – I really liked the recipe and will definitely be repeating it especially during the summer time
I was wondering what bubble tea actually meant. Then I read your description. I have never seen black tapioca here, The tea looks good and am sure it tastes awesome.
they are and quite an addition over here with so many bubble tea shops – I hope you can find the black tapioca over there!