Brown Sugar Syrup for Boba (How to Make)

❓What is Brown Sugar Syrup?

Brown sugar syrup is a sweet liquid made by dissolving brown sugar in water over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. This simple syrup is a versatile sweetener that can be used in a variety of recipes, including cocktails, baked goods, and savory dishes.

Brown sugar syrup has a rich, caramel-like flavor that is different from regular white sugar syrup. You can also use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and ice cream. Typically made with a ratio of 1:1 of water and sugar, the ratio of brown sugar to water can vary depending on the desired consistency and sweetness level.

Brown sugar syrup is also a popular sweetener used in many bubble tea shops. It is made by first creating a thick syrup with brown sugar and water, and sometimes additional flavorings like vanilla or cinnamon and then mixed with cooked boba pearls. Unlike the regular simple syrup, brown sugar syrup for boba has a thicker consistency and is typically made with sugar to water ratio of 2:1.

The brown sugar syrup for boba adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to milk teas like this vanilla milk tea and butterfly pea milk tea and pairs very well with the chewy texture of the boba pearls. The syrup is usually quite thick, which gives the drink a more viscous texture and a satisfying mouthfeel. You can make this syrup in advance, making it super convenient to make bubble teas whenever you feel like having one.

❓What is Boba?

Boba, also known as bubble tea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that originated in the 1980s. It is typically made by mixing brewed black tea with milk or fruit flavors, and then adding chewy tapioca pearls, also called boba pearls that are soaked in thick brown sugar syrup to the bottom of the cup. The drink is then served with a wide straw so that the chewy boba pearls can be sucked up and chewed along with the tea.

Boba pearls are made from tapioca starch (tapioca flour), which is extracted from the roots of the cassava plant. The tapioca starch is cooked and formed into small, round balls that are cooked again in boiling water until they become chewy and translucent. They are then soaked in a sweet syrup to add flavor and keep them from sticking together.

Boba drinks can come in a variety of flavors, including traditional black or green tea, as well as fruit flavors like mango, strawberry, or lychee. They can also be made with different types of milk, such as dairy, almond, or soy milk, depending on personal preference. Boba has become a popular drink worldwide, with many specialty bubble tea shops and chains offering their own unique takes on the classic drink.

Step 2: Cooking the boba pearls

Boba pearls are typically sold in dry form. You will have to cook them before adding them to your milk teas. The best way to cook these pearls is to follow the instructions that come along with the packaging. This is because some brands require a longer cooking time and some others a shorter time.

In any case, you can also adjust the cooking time by testing the pearls. If at the end of the cooking time you find them to be not as chewy as you wish them to be, you can continue cooking for a longer time.

1. To cook the boba pearls, fill up water in a medium saucepan. As a general guide, you can use 1 liter of water (4 cups of water) for every cup of dry boba pearls.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Add the boba pearls and stir to avoid them from sticking.
4. Within few minutes of cooking, the boba pearls will float to the top. Let them cook this way for about 15 minutes (adjust the timing accordingly based on the instructions on your boba packaging).

🍽️Serving & storage

• The brown sugar syrup is ready for use immediately after making, or it can be stored for later use. If you wish to keep it for later use, do not mix with the boba pearls.
• Boba pearls, on the other hand, have a rather long shelf life (refer to the packaging) in their dry, uncooked form. But once, cooked, it is best to serve while still warm. They tend to harden slightly when cold and are therefore best to consume within the same day.
• To store the syrup (without the pearls), fill it into a clean and dry glass jar or airtight container. Keep the syrup refrigerated. The syrup can last for a good one month.

💡Expert tips

• Cooking the syrup to a boiling point can cause the sugar to thicken too much. You only need to cook it to the point the sugar dissolves and then remove from heat.
• There is also a possibility for the brown sugar to start to caramelize and form lumps, leaving your syrup gritty and with an uneven texture.

🍴What else can you use the brown sugar syrup for?

• You can use the boba in brown sugar syrup in a variety of ways. It's most common use is to make brown sugar boba milk tea (also sometimes called brown sugar boba tea or brown sugar bubble tea where you add these sweetened delicious chewy pearls to a glass of cold milk tea or chocolate milk tea). You can also add these boba pearls into plain cold milk, your favorite milk teas like this vanilla milk tea or butterfly pea milk tea, coffee drinks, soy milk or any other beverage you wish to enjoy it with.
• To create the delicious looking brown sugar streaks on the walls of your glass that you typically see in bubble tea shops (also sometimes referred to as tiger stripes in tiger milk tea), you add the boba pearls in syrup into the glass, and then use a spoon to move them on the sides of the glass to leave brown sugar streaks. And when you pour your milk tea into the glass, you will see the pretty brown sugar streaks on the sides of the glass.
• Other than the typical milk teas and beverages, you can enjoy these boba pearls in brown sugar as follows:
  • As a topping for ice cream or other desserts
  • As an add-in for smoothies or milkshakes
  • As a snack on its own, enjoyed as a chewy and sweet treat for those with a sweet tooth
  • As a garnish for cocktails, where the pearls add a unique texture and flavor to the drink.

💭FAQs