Purple Boba Tea, also known as Ube Milk Tea, is taking the world by storm, and for good reason! Imagine a creamy, dreamy beverage with a vibrant purple hue, boasting a subtly sweet and nutty flavor that dances on your tongue. Intrigued? I thought you might be! This isn’t just another trendy drink; it’s a delightful experience that combines visual appeal with an unforgettable taste.

Ube, the star ingredient responsible for the stunning color and unique flavor of Purple Boba Tea, is a purple yam originally from the Philippines. It has been a staple in Filipino desserts for centuries, symbolizing celebration and joy. Its popularity has spread globally, and now it’s gracing our boba cups with its deliciousness!

People adore Ube Milk Tea for several reasons. First, the color is undeniably captivating, making it an Instagram-worthy treat. Second, the flavor is a delightful departure from the usual boba offerings. It’s not overly sweet, but rather subtly earthy and vanilla-like, perfectly complementing the chewy tapioca pearls. Finally, it’s incredibly customizable! You can adjust the sweetness, add different toppings, and even experiment with various milk alternatives to create your perfect cup. So, are you ready to dive into the world of Purple Boba Tea? Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

For the Boba:

1 cup tapioca starch, plus extra for dusting
¾ cup boiling water
¼ cup purple sweet potato powder (Ube powder)
Optional: Brown sugar to taste (for sweetness)

For the Purple Sweet Potato Syrup:

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup purple sweet potato powder (Ube powder)
Pinch of salt

For the Tea:

4 cups water
4 black tea bags (or loose leaf equivalent)
2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy, your preference!)
Ice cubes

Optional Toppings:

Whipped cream
Extra purple sweet potato powder for dusting
Purple sprinkles

Making the Boba:

Okay, let’s get started with the most fun part making the boba! Don’t be intimidated; it’s easier than you think, but it requires a little patience and quick hands.

Prepare the Dough: In a heat-safe bowl, combine the tapioca starch and purple sweet potato powder. Slowly pour in the boiling water while stirring constantly with a fork or spatula. Be careful, the water is hot! The mixture will start to come together into a shaggy dough.
Knead the Dough: Once the dough is cool enough to handle (but still warm!), turn it out onto a lightly tapioca-floured surface. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth, pliable ball. This might take about 5-7 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more tapioca starch, a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit of water, drop by drop. The consistency should be similar to playdough.
Shape the Boba: This is where the fun begins! Pinch off small pieces of dough, about ¼ teaspoon in size. Roll each piece into a small ball. Keep the formed boba covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. You can also dust them lightly with tapioca starch to prevent sticking. This step can be a bit time-consuming, so put on some music or a podcast! Aim for a consistent size for even cooking.
Cook the Boba: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Gently add the boba to the boiling water. Don’t overcrowd the pot; you might need to cook them in batches. Once the boba float to the surface, cook them for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The cooking time will depend on the size of your boba, so test one to make sure it’s cooked through it should be chewy and translucent.
Rest and Rinse: After cooking, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the boba rest in the hot water for another 15 minutes. This helps them become even more chewy. Then, drain the boba and rinse them thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.

Making the Purple Sweet Potato Syrup:

This syrup not only adds sweetness but also enhances the beautiful purple color and flavor of the boba tea. It’s super easy to make!

Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, purple sweet potato powder, and salt.
Simmer and Thicken: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Cool and Store: Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool completely. As it cools, it will thicken further. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Brewing the Tea:

The tea base is crucial for a good boba tea. I prefer black tea, but you can use any tea you like green tea, oolong tea, or even herbal tea!

Brew the Tea: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bags (or loose leaf tea). Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired strength. Don’t over-steep, or the tea will become bitter.
Cool the Tea: Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool completely. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the tea in the refrigerator.

Assembling the Purple Boba Tea:

Now for the best part putting it all together! This is where you can get creative and customize your boba tea to your liking.

Prepare the Boba: Place the cooked and rinsed boba in a bowl and add a generous amount of the purple sweet potato syrup. Stir to coat the boba evenly. Let the boba soak in the syrup for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavor. This also prevents them from sticking together.
Assemble the Drink: In a tall glass, add a scoop of the boba with some of the syrup.
Add Ice: Fill the glass with ice cubes.
Pour in the Tea: Pour the cooled tea over the ice.
Add Milk: Top with milk (dairy or non-dairy) to your desired level of creaminess.
Stir and Enjoy: Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Optional Toppings: If desired, top with whipped cream, a dusting of purple sweet potato powder, and purple sprinkles.
Serve Immediately: Serve immediately with a wide straw so you can enjoy the chewy boba!

Tips and Variations:

Boba Consistency: The key to perfect boba is the dough consistency. It should be smooth and pliable, not too sticky or too dry. Adjust the amount of tapioca starch or water as needed.
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sugar in the syrup to your liking. You can also use honey or maple syrup as a substitute.
Tea Variations: Experiment with different types of tea. Green tea or oolong tea would also be delicious.
Milk Alternatives: Use any type of milk you prefer almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
Storage: Cooked boba is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store leftover boba in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Before serving, reheat them briefly in boiling water to soften them. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Ube Extract: If you can’t find purple sweet potato powder, you can use ube extract instead. Add a few drops of ube extract to the dough and syrup to achieve the desired color and flavor.
Make it Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, use non-dairy milk and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly (some granulated sugar is processed with bone char).

Troubleshooting:

Boba is too hard: This usually means the boba wasn’t cooked long enough. Make sure to cook them until they are translucent and chewy.
Boba is too sticky: This could be due to too much moisture in the dough or not enough tapioca starch. Dust the boba with tapioca starch to prevent sticking.
Syrup is too thin: Simmer the syrup for a longer time to allow it to thicken.
Tea is too bitter: Don’t over-steep the tea. Remove the tea bags after 3-5 minutes.

Conclusion:

This Purple Boba Tea recipe isn’t just another drink; it’s an experience! The vibrant color, the creamy texture, and the delightful chewiness of the boba pearls all combine to create a truly unforgettable treat. I truly believe this is a must-try recipe for anyone who loves boba, or even for those who are just curious about exploring new and exciting flavors. The unique blend of ube and black tea offers a sophisticated sweetness that’s both comforting and refreshing. It’s a delightful twist on the classic boba tea that will leave you wanting more. But the best part? It’s incredibly easy to customize!

Serving Suggestions and Variations:

* For a richer flavor: Use full-fat coconut milk or add a splash of heavy cream. This will create an even more decadent and luxurious texture. * Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon or cardamom to the ube mixture for a warm and inviting flavor profile. * Make it vegan: Easily swap out the milk for your favorite plant-based alternative, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Just be sure to choose an unsweetened variety to control the overall sweetness. * Adjust the sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener to your liking. Start with a smaller amount and add more until you reach your desired level of sweetness. You can also experiment with different types of sweeteners, such as honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup. * Iced or blended: Enjoy it over ice for a refreshing treat on a hot day, or blend it with ice for a creamy and frosty boba smoothie. * Toppings galore: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings! In addition to the classic boba pearls, you can add other fun toppings like jellies, pudding, or even whipped cream. * DIY Boba: While store-bought boba is convenient, try making your own from scratch for a truly authentic experience. There are many recipes available online, and it’s a fun project to do with friends or family. * Purple Boba Tea Latte: For a warmer option, heat the milk and ube mixture and serve it as a latte. This is perfect for cozying up on a chilly evening. I’ve poured my heart into perfecting this recipe, and I’m confident that you’ll love it as much as I do. The subtle earthiness of the ube combined with the boldness of the black tea creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s a perfect drink to enjoy on a warm afternoon, a fun treat to share with friends, or a comforting indulgence to savor on your own. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and prepare to be amazed by the deliciousness of this Purple Boba Tea. I can’t wait to hear what you think! I truly encourage you to give this recipe a try. Once you do, please come back and share your experience in the comments below! Let me know what variations you tried, what toppings you added, and what you thought of the overall flavor. Your feedback is invaluable, and it helps me to continue creating and sharing delicious recipes that you’ll love. Happy boba-ing!