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Pick up a package of small tapioca pearls if you love their bubbly texture in desserts. Try cooking them on their own so you can add them to hot or cold teas, puddings, and desserts. For a creamier treat, cook the pearls in milk with sugar so they absorb flavor. You can serve this classic pudding warm or chilled.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150 g) of small tapioca pearls
- 5 cups (1,200 ml) of water
Makes 4 to 6 servings
- 1/2 cup (75 g) of small pearl tapioca (not instant)
- 3 cups (710 ml) of whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup (100 g) of sugar
- 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla extract
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Steps
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Bring 5 cups (1,200 ml) of water to a boil over high heat. Pour the water into a pot on the stove and place the lid on it. Turn the burner to high and heat the water until it boils.
- You should see steam escape from under the lid as the water begins to boil.
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Uncover the pot and pour in the small tapioca pearls. Wear an oven mitt to lift off the lid and slowly pour 1 cup (150 g) of small pearl tapioca into the pot. [1] X Research source- There's no need to stir the tapioca pearls at this point.
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Cover the pot and turn the burner to medium. Once you've put the lid back on the pot, reduce the heat so the water doesn't boil over the side of the pot. [2] X Research source
- If you can, use a pot with a clear lid so you can easily see the tapioca as it cooks.
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Simmer the tapioca pearls for 8 to 13 minutes. Let the pearls bubble gently for 8 to 10 minutes if you'll be using them in a hot drink or hot dessert. If you're going to use the pearls in a cold dessert or cold drink, simmer them for 10 to 13 minutes. [3] X Research source
- The tapioca pearls should be translucent once they've finished cooking.
Tip: If the tapioca pearls are still undercooked after 13 minutes, turn off the burner and let the pearls soak for 1 to 2 minutes.
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Turn off the burner and stir the tapioca pearls. Carefully remove the lid and stir the tapioca with a wooden or silicone spoon. This will loosen the pearls so they don't stick together. [4] X Research source
- Avoid using a metal spoon to stir the tapioca pearls. The heat from the water will transfer to the metal, making it hot.
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Pour the pearls into a strainer under cold running water. Set a fine-mesh strainer into a sink and turn off the burner. Carefully pour the tapioca pearls into the strainer and run cold water over them to stop them from cooking. [5] X Research source
- Let the water drain into the sink.
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Rest the pearls for 5 minutes before using them. The pearls will continue to cool as they rest in the strainer. Once all the water has drained, you can add them to: [6] X Research source
- Hot or cold tea
- Coconut pudding
- Smoothies
- Soup
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Put the tapioca, milk, and salt, into a saucepan. Set the pan on the stove and put 1/2 cup (75 g) of small pearl tapioca into it along with 3 cups (710 ml) of whole milk and 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of salt. [7] X Research source
- Your saucepan should be at least 1 1 ⁄ 2 US quarts (1.4 L) in size.
Variation: For a unique flavor, substitute 1/2 or all of the milk with coconut milk.
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Soak the tapioca pearls for 5 to 30 minutes. Read the package of tapioca pearls to see the recommended soaking time. Some tapioca pearls will only need to soak for about 5 minutes, while other brands need a longer soaking time. [8] X Research source
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Turn the burner to medium-high and stir the mixture. Keep the lid off of the pan so you can stir the tapioca mixture occasionally. Keep cooking it until the milk begins to simmer gently.
- Stirring the mixture will prevent the milk from scorching on the bottom of the pan.
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Reduce the burner to low and stir in the sugar. Turn the burner to the lowest setting and gradually stir in 1/2 cup (100 g) of sugar. The tapioca pearls will thicken and swell as they absorb the sugary milk. [9] X Research source
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Cook the tapioca for 5 to 45 minutes. Stir the tapioca occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan and read the cooking time on the back of the tapioca pearl package. It should take between 5 and 45 minutes for your tapioca pearls to become completely soft. [10] X Research source
- Cooking time can also vary depending on the brand, which is why it's important to read the tapioca package.
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Whisk 2 eggs with 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of hot milk and stir it into the pudding. Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them so the yolks are blended. Then, slowly whisk in the hot milk so the eggs don't curdle. [11] X Research source
- If you skip this step and pour the eggs directly into the pudding, the eggs will scramble.
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Stir the egg mixture into the pudding and cook it for 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly pour the mixture into the pudding and turn the burner to medium. Stir the pudding constantly as it thickens. [12] X Research source
- Avoid boiling the pudding or it will scorch on the bottom and the eggs will curdle.
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Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla and serve the tapioca pudding. You can let the pudding sit for about 15 minutes and serve it warm or refrigerate it until it's completely chilled. [13] X Research source
- Consider spooning fresh fruit, such as mangoes or peaches, over the tapioca pudding before serving it.
- Refrigerate leftover pudding in an airtight container for up to 6 days.
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Tips
- You can purchase small tapioca pearls at Asian grocery stores, in the baking aisle at the grocery store, or online.Thanks
- Tapioca pearls can be made like sago.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
Boiled Pearls for Drinks or Desserts
- Measuring cups
- Pot with a lid
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Oven mitt
- Spoon
Classic Tapioca Pudding
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 1 1 ⁄ 2 US quarts (1.4 L) saucepan
- Spoon
- Whisk
- Serving bowls
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vi687wMeU6Y?t=53
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vi687wMeU6Y?t=62
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vi687wMeU6Y?t=67
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vi687wMeU6Y?t=75
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vi687wMeU6Y?t=86
- ↑ https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Banana-Coconut-and-Tapioca-Pearl-Soup/
- ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tapioca_pudding/
- ↑ https://recipes.oregonlive.com/recipes/creamy-small-pearl-tapioca-pudding
- ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tapioca_pudding/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
Tapioca pearls are great in drinks and desserts, and it only takes about 15 minutes to cook them. Start by bringing 5 cups of water to a boil. Then, pour the small tapioca pearls into the water, cover the pot, and turn the burner down to medium. Let the pearls simmer for 8-10 minutes if you'll be using them in a hot drink or dessert, or 10-13 minutes if they're for a cold drink or dessert. When they're done simmering, turn off the burner and stir the pearls. Pour them into a strainer under cold running water so they stop cooking. Finally, let your tapioca pearls cool for 5 minutes. To learn how to make classic tapioca pudding, scroll down!
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