Craving a refreshing matcha bubble tea at home? Learn everything you need to know to make this delicious, homemade boba tea in less than 15 minutes.
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, milk tea, black pearl tea, tapioca tea, and zhen shu nai cha, originated in Taiwan. Since then, it has become increasingly popular around the world and loved for its chewy texture.
The chewy tapioca pearls are made from partially cooked tapioca flour, a starch extracted from the cassava root. Boba is gluten-free and flavorless and can be added to both hot and cold drinks.
Making bubble tea consists of cooking the tapioca pearls and by combining them with tea and other flavorings, such as milk, purees, sweeteners, and smoothies.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy bubble tea at home is by combining the boba pears with a homemade matcha tea. It's energizing, delicious, creamy, and comes with all the added benefits of matcha green tea.
Ingredients you'll need
To make a matcha bubble tea, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Matcha green tea: The quality of matcha green tea matters. I like this brand because it's cheaper than other brands I've tried but still tastes great.
- Milk: I use almond milk in this recipe but any milk can be used, including cashew milk, oat milk, and dairy milk.
- Tapioca pearls: These can be found in select grocery stores and health stores but I usually buy these off of Amazon.
- Sweetener: Both honey and maple syrup work great as you'll be soaking the cooked tapioca pearls in the sweetener.
- Water: To cook the tapioca pearls and make the matcha green tea
- Ice cubes: If you enjoy cold bubble tea, be sure to grab some ice.
You'll need the following items from the kitchen:
- A small saucepan to boil the water and boba in
- Small bowl to make the matcha green tea
- A whisk or a spoon
- Wide straw for bubble tea
How to make matcha bubble tea
1. Prepare matcha green tea: In a small bowl, whisk the matcha green tea powder with hot water. Set aside and let it cool down.
2. Cook the tapioca pearls: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the tapioca pearls to the water and stir until the pearls start to float to the top. Continue cooking them for the amount of time indicated on the packaging. Once the tapioca pearls are cooked, turn off the heat and carefully drain them. Pour the cooked boba into a bowl.
3. Sweeten the boba: Add sweetener and stir the tapioca pearls. Let the pearls sit for about 5 minutes, allowing them to absorb the sweetener, stirring it a few times.
4. Assemble your drinks: Divide the pearls between two glasses. Top each with ice and pour nut milk. Finally, pour the matcha green tea to create a beautiful drink. Stir and serve.
Pro tip: Enjoy your bubble tea soon after making it as the tapioca pearls will start to harden within hours of cooking them.
Make ahead of time
If you’re worried about time and want your bubble tea as soon as possible, you can prepare and store the matcha green tea ahead of time, however, it's best to cook the tapioca pearls right before assembling your matcha bubble tea.
More tasty drink recipes
If you enjoyed this matcha boba, check out these recipes:
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Ingredients
Matcha Green Tea
- 1 teaspoon matcha green tea
- ¼ cup hot water
Boba/Tapioca Pearls
- ½ cup tapioca pearls
- 4 cups water
- 1-2 tablespoons honey, or maple syrup
- 2 cups milk, of choice
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Prepare the matcha tea: In a small bowl, whisk the matcha green tea powder with hot water. Set aside and let it cool down.
- Cook the tapioca pearls: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the tapioca pearls to the water and stir until the pearls start to float to the top. Continue cooking them for the amount of time indicated on the packaging. Turn off the heat and carefully drain the boba. Pour the cooked boba into a bowl.
- Sweeten the tapioca pearls: Add sweetener and stir the tapioca pearls. Let the pearls sit for about 5 minutes, allowing them to absorb the sweetener, stirring it a few times.
- Assemble your drinks: Divide the pearls between two glasses. Top each with ice and pour nut milk. Finally, pour the matcha green tea to create a beautiful drink. Stir and enjoy.
Anz says
I'm going to follow this recipe to make some yummy boba, just replacing the tapioca pearls with bursting boba (AKA popping boba), because I don't like tapioca, but I'm excited to get my ingredients and make boba!! it'll be less expensive than going to my boba shop after school lol. AWESOME RECIPE!!!
Naia .N.S says
I LOVE MATCH BOBA! Thx so much Sapana, I haven't tasted Boba in four years! My Brothers love the drink, Tell me, what other flavors do you make?
Naia says
I missed Boba so much! I haven't drank it in three years! Boba is like so expensive if you want to be satisfied, but using this recipe, I can drink to my heart's content! #savetheearth Save up plastic, save up money!
Naia says
My Brothers and my parents are gonna ADORE this drink! How many other flavors do you have?
Tara says
Yum! Matcha is a favorite of mine. I love those layers. Such a delicious drink.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Tara!
Heidy L. McCallum says
I have never tasted Match Bubble Tea but it looks and sounds amazing. Bookmarking to make over the weekend.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you enjoyed it, Heidy!
Noelle says
Bubble tea and Matcha mixed together?? Yes please!!! YUM
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
It's a delightful combination!
Jacqueline Debono says
I have never tried bubble tea but after reading your post I'm on a mission to find some tapioca pearls!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you enjoy it! the tapioca is available online.
Emmeline says
This drink looks so beautiful!! I have such a hard time with bubble tea though, haha, can't stand the pearls. Do they add any flavor or could I just make this without them??
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Emmeline! You could make them without it and it would just be a matcha tea!
Katie says
This is such a fun idea to try at home! Can't wait to try this with my girlfriends.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you and your friends enjoyed it, Katie!
Julia says
I drink matcha tea often but never tried making matcha bubble tea so thanks for the inspiration! Love those step by step photos!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you, Julia! I hope you enjoyed it.
Kristen says
Love this bubble tea! Thank you for the great recipe!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you for your feedback, Kristen!
Alison says
I've never tried matcha tea until now! Yum! I didn't know what I was missing!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad you love it!
Adrianne says
I love bubble tea!!! This makes it look so easy and appealing. Step by step photos are great, thanks for sharing this recipe.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you for stopping by!
Dahn @savorthebest says
I love bubble tea AND matcha! This is a great combination and has me craving some bubble tea
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you!
Tonje says
I love bubble tea but have never actually made it! This recipe sounds so easy, I look forward to trying it.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you enjoy it!
Michelle says
This bubble tea looks amazing!! I've never tried bubble tea but love matcha so will definitely try this asap. I love your how-to photos too, great post!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it, Michelle.
Patty at Spoonabilities says
I just love bubble tea but never ever thought of making it myself. I can't wait to try it!!! 🙂
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you love it!
Elaine says
Fabulous tea - looks unique, and that color is amazing! Great insights on cooking the tapioca pearls before assembling. Can't wait to make this deliciousness!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you! I hope you love it!
Krissy Allori says
Yummy! I love matcha. I'll be trying this for sure.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I hope you enjoy it!
Neha says
Such a pretty and fun drink! Loving this click, never tried making bubble tea at home, now I need to.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you!
Kate says
Mmmm matcha is my very favorite, but i've never tried it in bubble tea, sounds delicious!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Kate!
Caitlin says
I'm so excited about this recipe! I might have a lowkey obsession with boba so this is all I need.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
You'll love it then!
Sharon says
This match bubble tea is beautiful and the perfect afternoon treat.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you!
Beth says
What a creamy, flavorful fun drink!! I love that this can save me some money by making it from home!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you, Beth!