Description
Creamy and refreshing Avocado Boba Tea! Homemade avocado-infused tapioca pearls meet a luscious avocado milk tea for a unique and delicious twist on a classic boba drink.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup tapioca starch, plus extra for dusting
- ¾ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup avocado, mashed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Green food coloring (optional, for a more vibrant color)
- 2 ripe avocados
- 2 cups strong brewed green tea, chilled
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy, your preference!)
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, chocolate shavings, extra avocado slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a heat-safe bowl, combine the tapioca starch and granulated sugar. Gradually pour in the boiling water while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Be careful, the water is hot! The mixture will initially look clumpy.
- Incorporate the Avocado: Add the mashed avocado to the tapioca starch mixture. Continue stirring until the avocado is evenly distributed. The mixture will still be quite sticky at this point.
- Knead the Dough: Once the mixture has cooled down enough to handle (but is still warm), turn it out onto a lightly tapioca-floured surface. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth, pliable ball. This might take a few minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more tapioca starch, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit of water, a teaspoon at a time. The dough should be easy to roll and shape without sticking excessively.
- Shape the Boba: Divide the dough into smaller portions. Roll each portion into a long, thin rope, about ¼ inch in diameter. Use a knife or dough scraper to cut the rope into small, even pieces. These will be your boba pearls.
- Round the Boba: Roll each piece into a small, round ball. This is a bit tedious, but it’s worth it for the perfect boba texture. To prevent the boba from sticking together, dust them lightly with tapioca starch as you roll them.
- Sift and Store (Optional): Once all the boba are shaped, sift them through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any excess tapioca starch. You can cook them immediately, or store them in an airtight container in the freezer for later use. If freezing, spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper first to prevent them from clumping together. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
- Boil the Water: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. The water should be at least 8 times the volume of the boba. This is important to prevent them from sticking together.
- Cook the Boba: Gently add the boba to the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Cook Until Translucent: Cook the boba for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are translucent with a slightly opaque center. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your boba. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Rest and Simmer: Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the boba sit in the hot water for another 15-20 minutes. This allows them to fully cook and become chewy.
- Rinse and Sweeten: Drain the boba and rinse them thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This will also prevent them from sticking together.
- Soak in Simple Syrup: Transfer the cooked boba to a bowl and soak them in simple syrup for at least 30 minutes. This will sweeten them and give them a glossy appearance. You can also use honey or maple syrup if you prefer.
- Prepare the Avocado: Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop out the flesh.
- Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the avocado flesh, chilled green tea, milk, sweetened condensed milk, and simple syrup. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the sweetness as needed. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more milk or green tea.
- Chill (Optional): For the best flavor, chill the avocado milk tea in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare the Glass: Add a generous amount of cooked boba to the bottom of each glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the Milk Tea: Pour the avocado milk tea over the ice and boba.
- Add Toppings (Optional): Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or extra avocado slices, if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Insert a wide straw and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious and refreshing Avocado Boba Tea!
Notes
- Boba Texture: The key to perfect boba is the dough consistency. Don’t be afraid to adjust the amount of tapioca starch or water until you achieve a smooth, pliable dough.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk and simple syrup to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of sweetener.
- Tea Choice: While green tea is a classic choice for milk tea, you can experiment with other types of tea, such as black tea or oolong tea.
- Vegan Option: Use non-dairy milk and vegan sweetened condensed milk to make this recipe vegan.
- Flavor Variations: Add a splash of vanilla extract, almond extract, or other flavorings to the avocado milk tea for a unique twist.
- Storage: Cooked boba is best consumed immediately. However, you can store leftover boba in simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The avocado milk tea can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Making Ahead: You can make the boba dough and freeze it ahead of time. Simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before shaping and cooking the boba. You can also brew the green tea and chill it in advance.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes