# What You'll Need:
→ Tapioca Pearls
01 - 1/2 cup tapioca starch, plus additional starch for dusting
02 - 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 - 1/4 cup water
→ Brown Sugar Syrup
04 - 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
05 - 1/2 cup water
→ Milk Tea
06 - 2 black tea bags or 2 tablespoons loose black tea
07 - 1 cup hot water
08 - 1 cup whole milk (substitute oat milk for dairy-free)
09 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar, optional and to taste
10 - Ice cubes, as needed
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of the tapioca starch until smooth. Return to low heat and stir until the mixture thickens into a paste. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add the remaining tapioca starch so the total equals 1/2 cup, and knead until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
02 - Dust your work surface with tapioca starch and roll the dough into pea-sized balls, keeping them lightly coated with starch to avoid sticking. Arrange the formed pearls on a dusted tray to prevent clumping prior to cooking.
03 - Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the pearls and stir gently to prevent adhesion. Boil for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally for even cooking. Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let the pearls rest for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse the pearls under cold running water to stop cooking and set texture.
04 - In a separate saucepan combine 1/2 cup dark brown sugar with 1/2 cup water. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves and the syrup thickens slightly, about 4 to 6 minutes. Reduce heat to low to maintain warmth.
05 - Transfer the drained pearls into the warm brown sugar syrup and simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes to allow the pearls to absorb flavor. Keep the pearls warm in the syrup until assembly to preserve chewiness.
06 - Steep the tea bags in 1 cup of hot water for 5 to 7 minutes depending on desired strength, then remove the tea bags or strain out loose tea. While the tea is still warm, stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar if using. Add 1 cup milk and mix until homogeneous; chill if preferred.
07 - Divide the brown sugar pearls and a generous spoonful of syrup between two glasses. Swirl syrup along the inside of each glass for a marbled appearance. Add ice cubes, pour in the milk tea, stir gently to combine, and serve with wide straws.
