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Sweet Potato Bubble Tea: A Delicious and Healthy Recipe

  • Total Time: 70 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A unique twist on bubble tea with creamy sweet potato puree, chewy tapioca pearls, and refreshing milk tea.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound total), peeled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 cup dried tapioca pearls (black or clear)
  • 8 cups water, for boiling
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, for syrup
  • 1/4 cup water, for syrup
  • 4 cups brewed black tea (cooled)
  • 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
  • Sweetener to taste (sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a steamer basket over boiling water, or in a pot covered with water. Steam or boil until they are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
  2. If you boiled the sweet potatoes, drain them thoroughly in a colander. Getting rid of excess water is crucial for a smooth, not watery, puree.
  3. Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a bowl. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk, and butter. Use a potato masher or an electric mixer to mash the sweet potatoes until smooth. If using an electric mixer, start on low speed to avoid splattering.
  4. If the puree is too thick, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but still easily spoonable.
  5. Taste the sweet potato puree and adjust the sweetness as needed. Add more brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter puree. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
  6. Keep the sweet potato puree warm until ready to assemble the bubble tea, or let it cool completely and store it in the refrigerator until needed. If refrigerating, you may need to add a splash of milk when reheating to restore its creamy consistency.
  7. In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. The amount of water is important to prevent the pearls from sticking together.
  8. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the dried tapioca pearls. Stir gently to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  9. Reduce the heat to medium and let the pearls simmer for the time specified on the package. This is usually around 15-20 minutes, but always refer to the instructions on your specific brand of tapioca pearls. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  10. After the initial cooking time, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the pearls steep for another 15-20 minutes. This allows them to become fully cooked and chewy.
  11. While the pearls are steeping, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. This will stop the cooking process and give the pearls their characteristic chewy texture.
  12. After steeping, drain the tapioca pearls in a fine-mesh sieve. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch.
  13. Immediately transfer the drained and rinsed tapioca pearls to the ice bath. Let them sit in the ice bath for about 5 minutes.
  14. While the pearls are in the ice bath, prepare the brown sugar syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup is smooth.
  15. Drain the tapioca pearls from the ice bath and transfer them to the saucepan with the brown sugar syrup. Stir to coat the pearls evenly. Let them soak in the syrup for at least 15 minutes, or longer if you prefer a sweeter flavor. This also prevents them from sticking together.
  16. Brew 4 cups of strong black tea using your preferred method (tea bags, loose leaf, etc.). Let it steep for the recommended time, usually 3-5 minutes, depending on the type of tea.
  17. Allow the brewed tea to cool completely. You can speed up the cooling process by placing it in the refrigerator. Using cooled tea prevents the ice from melting too quickly and diluting the flavor of the bubble tea.
  18. In a pitcher or large container, combine the cooled black tea and milk. Stir well to mix.
  19. If you want a richer and creamier bubble tea, add the heavy cream. Stir well to incorporate it into the mixture.
  20. Add your preferred sweetener to taste. You can use sugar, honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener you like. Start with a small amount and add more as needed, tasting as you go.
  21. For the best flavor, chill the milk tea in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before assembling the bubble tea. This allows the flavors to meld together.
  22. Choose your favorite glasses or cups for serving. Tall glasses are ideal for bubble tea.
  23. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of sweet potato puree into the bottom of each glass. You can adjust the amount depending on your preference.
  24. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of tapioca pearls to each glass, on top of the sweet potato puree. Use a slotted spoon to drain excess syrup.
  25. Fill the glasses with ice cubes.
  26. Pour the chilled milk tea over the ice, filling the glasses to the top.
  27. Use a long spoon or bubble tea straw to gently stir the ingredients together. Be careful not to over-stir, as this can make the bubble tea watery.
  28. Serve the sweet potato bubble tea immediately with a wide straw, so you can enjoy both the tapioca pearls and the sweet potato puree.

Notes

  • Adjust Sweetness: The sweetness of this bubble tea can be easily adjusted to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of brown sugar in the sweet potato puree and the tapioca pearl syrup.
  • Use Different Types of Milk: Feel free to experiment with different types of milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Each type of milk will add a unique flavor to the bubble tea.
  • Add Flavored Syrups: For an extra burst of flavor, try adding flavored syrups to the milk tea. Vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut syrup would all be delicious additions.
  • Make it Vegan: To make this bubble tea vegan, use non-dairy milk, butter, and sweetener.
  • Sweet Potato Variations: You can roast the sweet potatoes instead of steaming or boiling them for a deeper, more caramelized flavor. Just roast them at 400°F (200°C) until tender, about 30-40 minutes.
  • Experiment with Tea: While black tea is the most common choice for bubble tea, you can also use green tea, oolong tea, or even herbal tea.
  • Add Boba Flavoring: You can find flavored boba pearls online or in specialty Asian grocery stores. These can add an extra layer of flavor to your bubble tea.
  • Make it a Sweet Potato Float: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a decadent sweet potato float!
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes

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Find it online: https://recipesrefreshing.com/sweet-potato-bubble-tea/