Tapioca pearl

Tapioca pearls

A tapioca pearl, also known as tapioca ball, is an edible translucent sphere produced from tapioca, a starch made from the cassava root.[1] They originated as a cheaper alternative to sago in Southeast Asian cuisine.[2][3] When used as an ingredient in bubble tea, they are most commonly referred to as pearls or boba. The starch pearls are typically five to ten millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) in diameter. By adding different ingredients, like water, sugar, or some other type of sweetener like honey, tapioca pearls can be made to vary in color and in texture. Various forms of tapioca pearls include black, flavored, popping, mini, and clear.[4][5] Tapioca pearls are commonly soaked in sugar syrup to make them sweet and chewy.[6] In teas, they are often added for their texture, with the flavor being provided by the drink itself.[7]

Sabudana

The pearls are known as sabudana in the Indian subcontinent; they are used for sweet and savory dishes, such as sabudana khichri. In Brazil, the pearls are cooked with wine or other liquid to add flavor and are called sagu.

  1. ^ Thomson, Julie R. (July 13, 2015). "So What Exactly Is Tapioca, Anyway?". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. ^ Hutton, Wendy (2012). Southeast Asia's Best Recipes: From Bangkok to Bali. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462905683.[page needed]
  3. ^ Alford, Jeffrey; Duguid, Naomi (2000). Hot Sour Salty Sweet: A Culinary Journey Through Southeast Asia. Artisan Books. p. 323. ISBN 9781579655648.
  4. ^ Silva, Taylor (April 11, 2018). "The 5 Most Common Types of Boba, Explained for the Bubble Tea Newbie". Spoon University. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  5. ^ "What are Boba Pearls? A Quick Guide to 4 Tasty Types!". Your Coffee & Tea Essentials. August 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Hughes, Becky (June 30, 2017). "DIY Bubble Tea Is About to Be Your New Summer Go-To". Epicurious. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Shah, Khushbu (May 27, 2021). "So What Is Bubble Tea, Exactly? Everything You Need to Know about the Drink and Boba Balls". Mic. Retrieved June 17, 2022.