These large black tapioca pearls are famously used in a Taiwanese drink called ‘boba’ or bubble tea. These large coloured tapioca pearls are gelatinous spheres made from a natural starch extracted from a cassava shrub. The quick-cook tapioca pearls are already part-cooked, so are ready in just 5 minutes. The black tapioca pearls are coloured with caramel. Multi-coloured quick-cook tapioca pearls are also available. Boba tea is a milk-based drink with a handful of the pearl balls at the bottom of the glass – sucked up through an extra-wide straw. Tapioca pearls are also used in South Asian desserts, boiled up with coconut milk until they take on a jelly baby-like consistency. Or simply mixed with sugar and honey. To cook the quick-cook black tapioca pearls bring a pan of water to the boil – use 10 cups of water for every 1 cup of tapioca pearls. Add the pearls slowly and stir gently. Wait until they rise to the surface. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-8 minutes until soft, stirring regularly. Transfer to a bowl of cold water for 20 seconds. Scoop out the tapioca pearls and mix together with sugar or honey for a quick dessert. You might also like these Bubble Tea Straws Ingredients: Tapioca starch 45.5%, water, thickener (acetylated starch), thickener (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate), colour E150c, emulsifier E412, preservative E262, flavouring.
