A bubble tea is a sweetly flavoured tea which has many versions but many are tea based containing fruit, fruit syrup and milk. Many are also iced and usually contain tiny tapioca balls which are also called pearl balls.
If you've managed to buy some bubble tea straws, you can easily suck the tapioca pearls up through the straw. If not, serve the tea with a spoon to scoop them up. Bubble tea is served cold (excellent on a warm summer day or night!), and makes a nice dessert as well as a refreshing drink. If desired: you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or soy ice cream) to each glass.
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How to make Tapioca Bubbles:
1. Measure out your unprepared large tapioca balls(bubbles). However much you plan to use. I don’t think exact amounts of this to that matter as much as just knowing how much you need for you personal use/party for friends. Keep in mind that bubbles can only be prepared 24 hours in advance. Don’t try to keep it for days, it will just get hard.
2. Boil water. How much water, you ask? You need enough water that once you pour the tapioca in they will have plenty of room to move around when stirred. So it depends, based on how much tapioca you are preparing. When making bubble tea at home I use a big stock pot (pictured) and I fill it up about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way.
Let water get to a rolling boil. Not just hot, but really boiling. If you don’t wait until the water is all the way boiling the tapioca won’t cook properly and you will have to start all over. Trust me. 
3. When the water is boiling and ready give it a good stir with a metal or wooden spoon, pour the tapioca into the swirling water. The tapioca should rise the surface of the water and float. Now just let the water continue to boil for 10-12 minutes, stir every once in a while to ensure the tapioca don’t stick together.
4. Turn the heat off and move your pot off the heat. Cover with a lid and allow the bobas to continue to cook in the hot steam and water for another 10-12 minutes.
5. Drain the tapioca in a metal strainer or colander. Don’t use a plastic strainer as the water will still be very hot and could melt it.
6. Now your tapioca bubbles are ready! I always sweeten mine by sprinkling 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup brown sugar on top and stirring it in. Many methods will tell you to use a sugar syrup, I think that’s more work and not necessary. But you can do as you like at this stage.
If you are not using the bubbles right away store them in an airtight container with a little water (just enough to keep them moist and from drying out).
Bubble Tea Slushie
Bubble tea, or Boba, pearls are tapioca balls that are soaked in sugar. They have a similar taste and consistancy to gummy candy. Bubble Tea is a thai treat that has recently become super popular around the world.
For the slushies you will need: 1 bag (10-12 ounces) frozen strawberries, 1 cup sugar, 3-4 cups water and plenty of crushed ice.
Let the berries thaw slightly before beginning. Place all the berries, sugar and water in a blender and liquefy. Combine in a pitcher filled with crushed ice. Pour over tapioca bubbles and serve immediately. This is will make 3-4 servings. And don't forget that you'll want to get some large size straws so guests can drink up their bubble tea goodness. Also, if you have any guests who do not care for tapioca bubbles, just leave them out. This slushie is fun to enjoy without too!
