Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (2024)

Huy Vu Updated 4/5/21 Jump to Recipe

Nutty and caramelized flavors in a steamy and hot milk tea with an extra chewy treat of boba at the bottom — this hot almond milk tea recipe will satisfy any sweet cravings.

Hot almond milk tea was one of the most popular drinks that was sold at the boba cafe my girlfriend worked at in college, and while it’s been many many years since then, I wanted to figure out an easy recipe to make at home.

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (1)

Background

Throughout history, there have been many styles of hot milk tea such as Hong Kong milk tea that is made with ceylon tea and condensed milk or royal milk tea from Japan that is made with darjeeling or assam tea and milk. Both of these style milk teas were British influenced.

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (2)

In a more millennial trend, hot almond milk tea, to me, resembles part of the boba culture that I grew up in (if you already couldn’t tell from my love of boba milk tea). It was also common practice to add boba to hot almond milk tea in the boba cafe my girlfriend used to work in, it was like a nice little treat while drinking.

This recipe differs from traditional hot milk teas like Hong Kong milk tea or royal milk tea in that it uses basic black tea leaves, is flavored with almond extract, and includes boba.

Type of tea & almond flavor

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (3)

For this recipe, I used black tea leaves from Hua Tai Tea Company that I found at 99 Ranch. You can use any basic black tea leaves you find at your local grocery store. The main takeaway is that you use black tea leaves (vs. using lighter flavored jasmine tea for taro milk tea) because the bolder flavor profile works best when paired with almond extract.

For this recipe, I steep the tea for an extended period of time, about 15 minutes, which some tea enthusiasts don’t recommend doing because it can potentially give you bitter tasting tea. Since we are adding sugar, milk, and almond extract, there is no bitterness that comes through the drink.

I personally like the strong flavor of the black tea that comes when you combine all the ingredients. To learn more about tea, visit my post on green tea vs. black tea.

I also picked up Simply Organic almond extract from my local grocery store, but you can use any almond extract you have at home or that is available to you. Since the almond extract is fairly strong, you don’t need to use too much in a cup.

Type of milk & sugar

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (4)

Traditionally, milk tea is made with condensed milk or evaporated milk, I used whole milk for a slightly fattier consistency. In boba cafes, they will also use non-dairy creamer because it’s an affordable ingredient and shelf-stable, but I like using whole milk for the flavor and since it’s more accessible.

In boba cafes, they tend to use liquid fructose to sweeten drinks, but I like to try to stay away from overly processed ingredients. I use dark brown sugar to emphasize the nutty flavor of the almond extract. Brown sugar sweetens the tea without overpowering the flavor of the milk tea like white sugar can.

How to brew the tea

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (5)

To brew hot almond milk tea, I like to extract as much bold flavor from the tea leaves as much as possible and brew it over the stove. I also like to wrap the tea leaves in cheesecloth (or a reusable tea bag), for easy removal of the leaves later.

In a small pot over medium-high heat, boil water and then add your tea leaves. Continue this boil for about three minutes and then remove the pot from the heat and continue to steep for an additional 15 minutes uncovered.

After steeping, remove the leaves and reheat your tea for about one to two minutes over medium heat (remember we want this to be hot milk tea). Add in the almond extract and stir to combine.

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (6)

To assemble your hot almond milk tea, pour tea into your preferred teacups or mugs. I like to add pre-made or homemade boba at the bottom of the cups for an extra chewy treat. I would recommend eating boba with a spoon versus a straw so you don’t burn yourself. Also note, don’t wait too long to eat your boba because it just gets chewier in warm liquids.

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (7)

For each 4 ounce teacup, I like to add about one tablespoon dark brown sugar and one tablespoon milk. If you want more, you can adjust from there. I also choose to wait to add sugar and milk to each individual cup so that people can adjust to their sweetness and dairy levels.

Hot almond milk tea would go great with pandan waffles or even crunchy sesame balls.

What is milk tea?

Milk tea is found in many different cultures all over the world and is basically a similar combination of tea and milk. In this recipe, I use black tea leaves, dark brown sugar, whole milk, and flavor with almond extract.

What tea is good for milk tea?

Depending on what type of milk tea you are making, you can use black tea, assam tea, ceylon tea, or even jasmine green tea. If you’re adding extra flavors like almond, you also want to make sure you pair the tea with the flavor. For example, almond extract goes well with black tea because of the earthy and caramel undertones of black tea pairs well with the strong, nutty flavors of almond.

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (8)

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (9)

Milk Tea With Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea)

5 from 3 votes

This easy recipe will give you a tasty hot milk tea, but amps up the flavor by adding almond extract and chewy boba as a special treat.

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BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 2 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Steeping: 15 mins

Total: 22 mins

SERVINGS: 2 (4 oz) teacups

Ingredients

Tea

  • 2 c water
  • 2 tbsp black tea leaves
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Assembly for each 4 oz serving

  • 1 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 tbsp dark brown sugar for tea

Boba (optional)

  • ½ c pre-made or homemade boba optional
  • 2 tbsp dark brown sugar for boba, optional

Instructions

Tea

  • In a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat, add four cups of water and bring to a boil.

  • Wrap your tea leaves in cheesecloth or put them in a reusable tea infuser (if you don’t have either, you can put the tea leaves straight in the pot, but you will have to strain them later on). Place the tea in the boiling water and continue to boil for three minutes.

    Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (10)

  • Remove the pot from the heat and steep for 15 minutes, uncovered.

    Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (11)

  • Remove the tea leaves from the pot and reheat the tea for another one to two minutes or until it’s hot to the touch.

  • Add the almond extract and stir.

Assembly

  • Prepare your boba based on your boba packaging, you can use my post on how to cook boba too. Place your cooked boba in a bowl and stir in dark brown sugar thoroughly.

  • Pour about four ounces of tea in each teacup or mug.

    Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (12)

  • Add the pre-made boba in each cup if desired.

    Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (13)

  • In each cup, add the milk and sugar and stir until dissolved. Enjoy!

Notes

Serve with teaspoons if you are adding boba because it’s safer to use with hot liquids than straws. The longer the boba stays in warmer liquids, the chewier the texture will get, so I would recommend eating it first.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 214.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 0.8mg | Sodium: 21.1mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 19.4g | Calcium: 33.1mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: almond boba tea, hot almond milk tea, hot bubble tea

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

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Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (14)

Milk Tea W/ Boba (Hot Bubble Milk Tea) - Hungry Huy (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between boba milk and boba milk tea? ›

The difference between bubble tea vs. milk tea is that bubble tea can refer to any tea based beverage with or without topping, milk tea is strictly tea drink combined with creamer or milk. Bubble tea can then be shaken to create the characteristic foam on top with the addition of topping.

Where to find boba at costco? ›

Location in Store

The instant boba packs can be found in the freezer aisle at Costco. The item number is 1571731. Everything that comes in the Costco Boba Bam Instant Boba Pack.

What is boba milk tea summary? ›

Bubble Tea, also known as boba milk tea, is a cold, frothy drink made with a tea base shaken with flavors, sweeteners and/or milk with tapioca pearls at the base of the drink. Fat Straw Required.

What do you say when ordering boba? ›

TLDR: When ordering boba tea, your barista will ask you for 4 things: flavor, sweetness, size, and toppings. Before you go in line, think through your choice for each of these. For example, you could say 'Milk Tea, 50% sugar, large with tapioca'. So you want to order boba tea.

Which is better boba or bubble tea? ›

So, to be clear, bubble tea and boba tea are completely synonymous terms that refer to the same type of drink. Some people may use one term more often than the other, depending on their regional preferences or personal choice, but there are no actual differences between bubble tea vs. boba.

Does milk tea boba taste like milk? ›

It tastes just like it sounds - a milk tea! Most bubble tea shops allow you to choose your sugar levels, which change the taste of the tea base dramatically.

How much does Costco boba cost? ›

Boba Bam Instant Boba Pack, $10.99 for 34.5 ounces. I now live in a suburb with no convenient boba shops in sight, so I've tried to recreate the magic in my own home. I've bought kits and I've made the tapioca pearls from scratch.

Are boba teas healthy? ›

Potential Health Benefits of Boba Tea

One study that drinking green tea — a common base for boba tea — can lower blood pressure and total cholesterol, which can lower the risk of developing serious conditions like heart disease and stroke. Green tea has also been shown to have an impact on certain cancers.

How much is boba from costco? ›

Easily make boba at home

You can make boba tea quickly and easily at home, thanks to Costco's latest product. The Taiwan Boba Milk Tea, made by J Way Foods, features 10 pouches of boba and 10 pouches of tea in a variety of flavors for $14.79.

Can kids drink boba? ›

The short answer is yes. Bubble tea is safe for consumption if enjoyed in moderation, so an occasional cup is fine for kids and teens.

What does boba mean in japanese? ›

The tea became known as boba because the term is slang for breasts in Chinese (a reference the spherical shape of the tapioca balls).

What is the best Flavour of boba? ›

10 best & most popular boba tea flavors of 2022 ranked
  • Strawberry. Strawberry bubble tea is a favorite among kids and adults alike. ...
  • Mango. Mangos are rich in Vitamin C, fiber, iron, and potassium. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Vanilla Bean. ...
  • Lemon. ...
  • Apple. ...
  • Matcha. ...
  • Coffee.
Jan 3, 2023

Do I shake my boba? ›

A slim cup will create a wide level of bobas, and you won't be able to catch the bobas easily. And if you must add ice, allow it to melt to increase the tea volume. Make sure you shake your cup before you drink to keep the entire drink cold incase you had dropped ice on the top and unstirred.

Are boba edible? ›

The tapioca pearls in bubble tea, also known as bubbles or boba, have a jelly-like texture and are made with tapioca starch, making it completely safe for human consumption. On the other hand, popping bubbles are made from water, fruit juice, sugar, and plant-based Alginic acid, which also makes them safe to eat.

What is boba slang for in English? ›

Note: The form bōbà is alleged to be Taiwanese colloquial or slang for "large breasts" or a "large-breasted woman." The character combination in this sense can easily be documented in World Wide Web documents, but it is uncertain if the source of the spoken word is Taiwanese Mandarin, Min Chinese, or something else ...

Is it OK to drink boba tea everyday? ›

Boba are basically all carbs — they lack any minerals or vitamins and contain no fiber. One bubble tea can contain as much as 50 grams of sugar and close to 500 calories. While one bubble tea here and there is unlikely to have severe effects on your health, it should absolutely not be consumed on a daily basis.

Which boba is most popular? ›

What is the flavour is black pearl boba? The most popular flavour of bubble tea, black pearl is also known as boba or tapioca pearls. They have a neutral taste that allows them to absorb the flavour of the tea or milk they are paired with.

What is the healthiest boba drink? ›

Fruit Based Drink

If you are looking for a way to cut calories while still wanting to enjoy tasty boba tea, go for fruit-based drinks. Many boba tea shops offer options like strawberry, lychee, mango, kiwi and more.

What is the best boba flavor for beginners? ›

For those just starting with boba tea, a few flavours are perfect for beginners. Some popular bubble tea flavours for beginners include green tea, Thai tea, mango, and peach. These three flavours are subtle and not overpowering, which is great for those just getting their feet wet with this delicious beverage.

Does boba have real milk? ›

It depends—although traditional bubble tea is made with cow's milk, and is therefore not dairy-free, bubble tea can be customised to be made with non-dairy milk and other vegan alternatives. You can also get flavoured fruit bubble tea, which doesn't contain milk at all.

Why is boba milk tea so popular? ›

1. There Are Lots Of Customisation Options. Most bubble tea shops will have a wide selection of different flavours, toppings, colours and customisation options to choose from. This draws in a wide market, particularly from younger generations, as there is quite literally something for everyone on the menu.

Is Starbucks selling boba? ›

Starbucks have boba or bubble tea alternatives with fruit flavors too. The most popular alternative is to go with the Raspberry Milk Tea from a Starbucks coffee shop, especially if you're a fan of raspberry flavoring.

What is boba made of? ›

So what exactly is it made of? Boba pearls are made of tapioca starch that comes from the cassava root, so compassionate customers can rest easy knowing that gelatin is not used in the making of these tiny balls of deliciousness.

Why is boba tea so expensive? ›

So why is bubble tea so expensive? It's a combination of the ingredients, the overhead costs of running a business, and the popularity of the drink. How Much Does Bubble Tea Cost?

Is boba tea full of sugar? ›

Boba milk tea, first became popular in the 1990s throughout Asia, and has gained more popularity in the United States and in Europe since 2000. Currently, available nutrition data from online sites suggest this beverage contains high amounts of sugar and fat.

What does boba taste like? ›

Regular boba has a slightly sweet, chewy texture and a neutral taste. Some people enjoy the chewy texture and find it to be a fun addition to the drink, while others may find it unappealing.

Is boba more unhealthy than soda? ›

Brown sugar milk tea with boba has been found as the unhealthiest option with 18.5 teaspoons of sugar. For an easy reference, a can of regular co*ke contains 7 teaspoons of sugar; a cup of brown sugar milk tea with pearl is equivalent to 2.6 cans of co*ke.

Is Dunkin serving boba? ›

Yes, they now offer those big, fun tapioca balls full of flavor that you've seen around in, you know, bubble tea. Those are the new strawberry-flavored “Popping Bubbles,” which you can add to any cold or iced drink on the menu.

How much is a boba worth? ›

The live Boba Network price today is $0.169421 USD with a 24-hour trading volume of $1,178,095 USD. We update our BOBA to USD price in real-time.

Can a 10 year old drink coffee? ›

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no caffeinated coffee, tea, soda, sports drinks or other products for children under the age of 12, while adolescents between the ages of age 12 and 18 should limit their intake to less than 100 milligrams per day – about the size of an old-fashioned cup of coffee.

Can a 10 year old drink tea? ›

There is no accepted safe amount of caffeine for kids under the age of 12. When deciding whether to give a child tea that contains caffeine, experts recommend being cautious.

Can I have boba while pregnant? ›

Like regular tea, boba tea contains caffeine, so you've probably wondered whether or not it's safe to drink when you're pregnant. Boba tea is safe for pregnant women provided it is made with pasteurized milk and heated or cooked toppings/additives.

Is boba Chinese or Japanese? ›

WHAT IS BUBBLE TEA (BOBA)? Bubble Tea (also known as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, or simply boba) is a Taiwanese drink that was invented in Taichung in the 1980s. The tea is mixed with milk or fruits and topped off with chewy tapioca pearls. By the early '90s, bubble tea became prevalent in Japan and Hong Kong.

Is boba from Japan or Korea? ›

Despite the huge popularity of boba tea in Japan, this tasty treat actually originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. The drink is known locally in Taiwan as zhenzhu naicha (珍珠奶茶).

Who invented boba? ›

Bubble tea, also known as boba drink, pearl tea drink, or boba tea, originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. The owner of a tea store called Chun Shui Tang, Liu Han-Chieh, first came up with the idea of serving tea cold in the early 1980s.

Which boba is chewy? ›

Tapioca Boba (aka pearls/bubbles) is a traditional drink addition that is chewy and can be sweetened with sugar and honey. As it is made from tapioca, it has very little flavor when eaten by itself without sweetener.

What is crystal boba? ›

What is crystal boba? Clearly named after its translucent appearance, crystal boba is a gelatin-like, ready-to-eat chewy pearl that is added to milk teas or flavored ice teas. It even comes in various flavors! Crystal boba is made from the konjac plant.

What is Tiger milk tea? ›

Tiger milk tea is nothing but bubble tea flavored with a dark brown muscovado sugar syrup. It gets its name from the tiger-like stripes formed on the glass when the syrup dunked boba is put into it. The dark brown syrup dunked boba leaves dark stripes along the sides of the glass.

Is it OK to swallow boba without chewing? ›

Boba is made from tapioca. Due to the tapioca ingredient, it means the "pearls" or "bubbles" don't dissolve quickly when expanded to their fullest. Hence, if you eat them without chewing, it can be hazardous.

Should boba be soft or chewy? ›

The texture should be chewy, but slightly al dente. You want to remove the boba from the pot before it gets too soft and begins to degrade. The boba will also continue to cook slightly after removing them from the water, too, so keep that in mind.

Why is my boba not chewy? ›

Cooked boba pearls will harden as they cool down, losing the chewy, soft texture in the process. They MUST be warm to have that soft, chewy texture. So, to make cooked and refrigerated tapioca balls fresh again, add a little water to the syrup and re-heat in the microwave until the sugar syrup is bubbling again.

Can dogs eat boba balls? ›

While it may look harmless and maybe you think your furry friend would enjoy a fruity, refreshing hit of popping boba on a warm summer's day, bubble tea should not be given to pets.

Is boba a fruit? ›

As stated earlier, the tapioca pearls that are also called “boba” are generally made from cassava starch, a root vegetable from South America that is also referred to as yuca.

Can I eat boba with braces? ›

The answer to this question is yes, it's perfectly safe for you to drink bubble tea with braces. However, as bubble tea can be high in sugar, it's best to consider bubble tea as an occasional treat, as you would with any other sugary drink when you've got braces.

What does dirty boba mean? ›

What is “The Dirty Boba” Dirty Boba is a “signature drink created first when the boba are coated and cooked in brown sugar. The drink can be filled with a choice of milk or fresh teas. Finally, the dirty boba is topped with a milk cheese foam and a caramelized creme brulee topping.”

Is it boba or boba? ›

On the eastern side of the US, many people call the drink, bubble tea and not boba whereas people on the western coast of the US prefer to call it Boba.

Does boba mean milk? ›

Depending on where you live, you'll find people call it 'Bubble Tea', 'Boba Tea', 'Boba' or 'Milk Tea'. It all means the same thing. What does boba mean? The term boba is a slang Chinese term for breasts or nipple (sorry if that ruins the drink for you!!).

Is boba and boba tea the same? ›

Bubble tea, a popular beverage that originated in Taiwan, is known by many names. Bubble tea can be called 'pearl milk tea,' 'boba tea,' 'tapioca tea,' or simply 'boba. ' The name most popularly used for this drink will vary in different regions.

Is milk and milk tea the same? ›

Milk tea is simply milk with tea. Any kind of tea and any kind of milk together makes milk tea. That's it! It's also another name for bubble tea or boba milk tea.

What are the two types of boba? ›

While the brown sugar in black boba gives a hint of extra sweetness, clear boba is straight starch from the cassava root. Clear boba is relatively tasteless on its own, which is why it's used in most milk-based bubble teas.

What kind of milk is boba milk tea? ›

Whole Milk

Whole milk is an obvious choice for a milk or creamer base for bubble tea. This milk type is often used in boba cafes and shops such as sweetened condensed milk due to its texture. The high-fat content of whole milk provides a creamy and silky texture for bubble tea or boba.

Can boba tea be healthy? ›

Potential Health Benefits of Boba Tea

One study that drinking green tea — a common base for boba tea — can lower blood pressure and total cholesterol, which can lower the risk of developing serious conditions like heart disease and stroke. Green tea has also been shown to have an impact on certain cancers.

Why do Americans call it boba tea? ›

The tea became known as boba because the term is slang for breasts in Chinese (a reference the spherical shape of the tapioca balls).

Does boba tea taste like? ›

What does bubble tea taste like? Bubble teas can come in many different flavors, but the classic flavor combines the robust complexity of black tea with the creamy richness of milk and the sweetness of brown sugar tapioca.

Is there caffeine in boba tea? ›

TLDR: Boba tea has an average of 50 mg of caffeine per cup. Typically you can expect 20 to 80 mg per drink, depending on the type of tea. Caffeine-free options like Taro are also available.

Is boba real milk? ›

It depends—although traditional bubble tea is made with cow's milk, and is therefore not dairy-free, bubble tea can be customised to be made with non-dairy milk and other vegan alternatives. You can also get flavoured fruit bubble tea, which doesn't contain milk at all.

Can you eat the black balls in boba? ›

The short answer to this question is yes. The pearls in bubble tea are entirely edible and safe to eat, and are what make drinking bubble tea a totally unique experience. In fact, it's important to remember that you should always chew the pearls in bubble tea before swallowing them.

What flavor is purple boba? ›

Taro is some of the most commonly used flavors from Boba teas at cafes. The purple colour, creamy texture, and vanilla-like flavor attract many tea fans.

Does Starbucks have boba? ›

Yes! The company recently launched Starbucks boba coffee popping pearls in the United States. The treats are reminiscent of tapioca balls, and they're filled with Brazilian coffee.

Does boba use cow milk? ›

Bubble tea is typically prepared in two ways—as a creamy drink mixed with common tea flavors such as Thai, black, Earl Grey, etc., or as a fruit juice that's mixed with green or black tea. Unfortunately, the milk added to bubble tea is usually cow's milk by default.

What are boba balls made of? ›

Tapioca pearls, also known as tapioca balls, are edible translucent spheres produced from tapioca, a starch made from the cassava root. They originated as a cheaper alternative to sago in Southeast Asian cuisine. When used as an ingredient in bubble tea, they are most commonly referred to as pearls or boba.

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