Description
This popping boba recipe shows you how to make fresh, juicy bursting pearls at home using simple ingredients, perfect for bubble tea, drinks, and desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder
- 1 cup fruit juice (strawberry, mango, lemonade, or your choice)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup filtered water
- Ice-cold water for ice bath
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the fruit juice and sugar over medium heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the agar-agar powder with the water until smooth.
- Add the agar-agar mixture to the saucepan and bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 2–3 minutes.
- Lower the heat and whisk until the mixture is fully combined and slightly thickened.
- Prepare a bowl of ice-cold water.
- Using a dropper or syringe, carefully drop the hot mixture into the ice bath to form small pearls.
- Let the popping boba sit in the ice bath for 10–15 minutes until fully set.
- Remove the pearls, rinse gently with cold water, and use immediately or store for later.
Notes
Work quickly once the mixture is heated, as agar-agar sets fast. Keep the mixture warm to maintain a smooth dropping texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Molecular Gastronomy
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: popping boba, bursting boba, popping pearls, bubble tea topping