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Taro Milk Tea Recipe: Making Purple Bubble Tea at Home

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It is the most recognizable drink in any Boba shop: the pastel purple Taro Milk Tea. Its flavor is famously hard to describe—somewhere between vanilla, popcorn, and sweet cookies—but it is universally loved.

While traditional taro is a starchy root vegetable (like a potato), the bright purple color usually comes from premium powders. This recipe uses a high-quality taro powder base blended with floral Jasmine tea, which cuts through the richness and adds a sophisticated aroma.

A glass of purple taro milk tea with black boba pearls at the bottom.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Servings1 Cup
FlavorSweet/Nutty

Ingredients

The Taro Base
  • 2 tbsp Premium Taro Powder (Look for one with sugar included, or add sugar separately)
  • 1/2 cup Jasmine Green Tea (Hot)
  • 1 tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk (for richness)

The Assembly
  • 1/4 cup Tapioca Pearls (Boba)
  • 1/2 cup Milk (Whole milk or Coconut milk works best)
  • Ice Cubes
Nutrition per serving:
Calories: 380
Fat: 6g
Sugar: 42g
Protein: 4g

Instructions

1
Cook the Pearls: Boil water and add the tapioca pearls. Cook for 5-10 minutes (or according to package instructions) until they float and are chewy. Drain and mix with a teaspoon of sugar or honey to prevent sticking.
2
Brew & Mix: Brew 1/2 cup of strong Jasmine Green tea. While it is still piping hot, whisk in the Taro powder and condensed milk. Whisk vigorously until no clumps remain and the mixture is a smooth purple syrup.
3
Assemble: Spoon the cooked pearls into the bottom of a tall glass. Fill the glass to the top with ice.
4
Pour: Pour the purple taro mixture over the ice first. Then, slowly pour the cold milk on top. This creates a beautiful layered gradient. Stir with a wide straw (boba straw) before drinking!

Expert Tip: Why Jasmine Tea?

Many shops use water or plain black tea, but Jasmine Green Tea is the secret to the best Taro Milk Tea. The floral notes of the jasmine cut through the heavy, starchy creaminess of the taro, making the drink refreshing rather than heavy.

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