Bubble Tea

Instructions

1. Cook the tapioca pearls
   Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add the tapioca pearls and stir gently. Reduce heat to medium and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the pearls are soft and chewy. Test one pearl by cutting it in half - it should be the same color throughout with no white center.
2. Prepare the sugar syrup
   While the pearls are cooking, mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Soak the pearls
   Once the tapioca pearls are cooked, drain them and rinse under cold water. Transfer the pearls to a bowl and add enough sugar syrup to cover them. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes to absorb the sweetness.
4. Brew the tea
   In a separate pot or using a kettle, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the tea bags or loose leaf tea and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags or strain the loose leaf tea. Add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and stir until dissolved. Let the tea cool to room temperature.
5. Assemble the bubble tea
   Fill two large glasses with ice cubes. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the soaked tapioca pearls to each glass. Pour 1/2 cup of the sweetened tea into each glass. Add 1/2 cup of milk to each glass and stir well. Taste and add honey or simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.
6. Serve immediately
   Insert a wide bubble tea straw into each glass, making sure it's wide enough for the tapioca pearls to pass through. Serve immediately while the pearls are still chewy. Enjoy your homemade bubble tea!