Bubble tea is a popular and refreshing beverage that combines tea, fruit flavors, and chewy tapioca pearls. While the traditional recipe may include ingredients like milk and sweeteners that are not suitable for a vegan diet, it’s easy to modify the recipe to make it vegan-friendly and healthier.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of making a delicious vegan fruity bubble tea, providing simple substitutions and adjustments that will enhance the nutritional value of your drink. Get ready to enjoy a guilt-free and plant-based bubble tea experience!
Ingredients and Equipment
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a look at the key ingredients and equipment you’ll need to prepare your vegan fruity bubble tea:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of brewed tea (green, black, or herbal)
- 1/2 cup of fruit juice (such as mango, strawberry, or peach)
- Vegan-friendly sweetener of your choice (agave syrup, maple syrup, or stevia)
- Tapioca pearls (boba)
- Ice cubes
Equipment:
- Tea kettle or pot for brewing tea
- Shaker or large glass for mixing the tea and fruit juice
- Saucepan for cooking tapioca pearls
- Strainer for rinsing cooked tapioca pearls
- Glass or cup for serving
Brewing and Sweetening the Tea
To begin, let’s brew a flavorful cup of tea and sweeten it to perfection. Follow these steps:
- Brew the tea: Start by boiling water in a tea kettle or pot. Once the water reaches the desired temperature, add a tea bag or loose tea leaves and steep it according to the instructions on the package. Green tea, black tea, or herbal tea can be used based on your preference.
- Sweeten the tea: While the tea is still hot, add your vegan-friendly sweetener of choice, such as agave syrup, maple syrup, or stevia. Stir well until the sweetener is fully dissolved. Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less sweetener as desired.
- Chill the tea: Allow the sweetened tea to cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it chill for a while. Chilled tea will serve as the refreshing base for your fruity bubble tea.
Preparing the Tapioca Pearls
Tapioca pearls, also known as boba, are the delightful chewy balls that give bubble tea its unique texture. You can buy them easily online or even from some supermarkets in the tea/coffee aisles. Here’s how to prepare them:
- Cook the tapioca pearls: Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Add the tapioca pearls and cook them according to the instructions on the package. Typically, you’ll need to boil them for a specific time and then let them sit in hot water for a while. This ensures that they become soft and chewy.
- Rinse the tapioca pearls: Once the tapioca pearls are cooked, drain them and rinse them under cold water. This will remove excess starch and prevent them from sticking together.
Mixing the Tea and Fruit Juice
Now that you have brewed tea and cooked tapioca pearls, it’s time to infuse your bubble tea with fruity goodness. Follow these steps to mix the tea and fruit juice:
Combine the chilled tea and fruit juice: Take a shaker or a large glass and pour the chilled tea into it. Add 1/2 cup of your preferred fruit juice, such as mango, strawberry, or peach. Stir well to blend the flavours of the tea and fruit juice together.
Adjust sweetness and flavour: Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness if needed. You can add a bit more sweetener or fruit juice based on your preference. Remember, it’s better to start with less and add more gradually to avoid making the drink overly sweet.
Assembling and Serving Your Vegan-Friendly Boba Tea!
With the tea-fruit juice mixture ready, it’s time to assemble and serve your vegan fruity bubble tea:
Add ice to a glass: Fill a glass or cup with ice cubes to create a refreshing and chilled base for your bubble tea.
Add cooked tapioca pearls: Using a strainer, scoop a desired amount of cooked tapioca pearls and place them in the glass with ice.
Pour the tea-fruit juice mixture: Pour the prepared tea-fruit juice mixture over the ice and tapioca pearls, filling the glass almost to the top.
Stir and enjoy: Use a large straw or spoon to stir the drink, ensuring that the tapioca pearls mix well with the fruity tea. Sip and savour the delightful combination of flavours and textures in your homemade vegan fruity bubble tea!
It’s easy to make a vegan-friendly and healthier version of bubble tea
By making simple substitutions and adjustments, you can easily transform a traditional bubble tea recipe into a vegan-friendly and healthier version. By choosing vegan sweeteners, plant-based milk alternatives, whole fruits for natural sweetness, and wholegrain toppings, you can enhance the nutritional value of your fruity bubble tea.
Remember to control the portion sizes and enjoy your vegan fruity bubble tea in moderation. So, grab your ingredients, follow the steps outlined in this blog post, and embark on a delicious and guilt-free bubble tea adventure!