Tapioca pearls explained

For a certain generation of Western consumers, tapioca conjures up images of the dessert option in school lunches. However, in recent years, black tapioca pearls have enjoyed a hip reputation as the ingredient in bubble tea, a drink sold in an ever-increasing number of outlets across the UK. Let’s find out this particular ingredient are and how it is used in the making of this Taiwanese beverage.

What are tapioca pearls?

They are translucent balls made from tapioca, a starch extracted from the cassava root. They typically lack flavour, but are used as a thickening agent in certain foods. Black pearls are created by mixing brown sugar with tapioca and, in some cases, sweet potato.

Origins of bubble tea

This is a sweet drink made from milk, tea and tapioca pearls, which is drunk through an extra-large straw and chewed. The pearls have a soft and chewy consistency. This beverage was first introduced in Taiwan in 1983 by Liu Han-Chieh, who began adding tapioca pearls to cold fruit-infused tea. As they do not dissolve, the pearls in the bubble tea provide drinkers with chewy spheres. That said, bubble tea refers to the bubbly foam on top of the tea, which is created when shaken.

The popularity of this drink quickly spread across South East Asia and is nowadays popular among young people in the US and in Europe.

Make your own bubble tea

The great thing about this drink is that the recipe can be as individual as you. Sure, you need black pearls, but the other ingredients are up to you. Making your one means you can use real fruit and less sugar, as well as create layers of flavour.

Why not throw a party for your friends with a bubble tea bar and let your guests blend cooked pearls, iced tea and juices, bourbon and vodka, and finely chopped fruit?

Our range

Here, at Sing Kee Foods, we offer a range of products for you to enjoy the bubble tea experience. U.LOVEIT Instant Tea Drink with Tapioca Pearl is available in two delicious flavours: strawberry and taro.

If you are looking to create your own recipes, then WUFUYUAN Black Tapioca Pearls, ready in five minutes, is perfect.

For a splash of colour, why not choose WUFUYUAN Colour Tapioca Pearls.

Your Oriental food and drink experts

At Sing Kee Foods, we have more than two decades of experience of offering all of our customers the widest range of products of the highest quality from all across the Far East, as well as offer our tips and advice on how best to use these products. Please visit our website today to access our impressive range of food and drink from across the Orient.