How to Cook Tapioca Pearls

Method7 steps · about 1 hr

1. 1

   Step 1: Bring the 6 cups water to a rolling boil in a deep pot. Add the dried tapioca pearls directly from the package; do not wash or soak them first. Bring the pot back to a boil.

   Uses 6 cups water for the first cooking cycle · 160 g large dried white tapioca pearls (about 1 cup), not quick-cooking pearls

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

   Covered tapioca cook: 15 minutes · 15 minUses Tapioca pearls in boiling water

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Switch off the heat and keep the pot covered for another 15 minutes.

   Covered off-heat rest: 15 minutes · 15 minUses Tapioca after the first covered cooking phase

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Drain the pearls in a sieve, discard the starchy cooking water and rinse the pearls under cold water.

   Uses Pearls after covered cooking and rest · Cold water for rinsing after the first cycle

   
5. 5

   Step 5: Check the centres. If any remain opaque white, boil 6 cups of fresh water and add the same drained pearls. Repeat the 15-minute covered cooking phase and 15-minute covered off-heat rest, then drain and rinse again. Repeat with fresh water as needed until every pearl is translucent throughout and pleasantly chewy; the number of cycles depends on pearl size.

   Uses The same drained pearls from the first cycle · 6 cups fresh water for each needed repeat cycle · Cold rinse water after each repeated cycle, as needed

   
6. 6

   Step 6: While the pearls cook, dissolve the 3 tbsp sugar completely in the 1 cup warm water in a bowl.

   Uses 3 tbsp sugar for the sugar water · 1 cup warm water for the sugar water

7. 7

   Step 7: Once all pearls are translucent, drain and rinse under cold water one final time. Transfer the drained pearls into the prepared sugar water to prevent sticking. Use in your chosen drink or dessert. If keeping them for later, refrigerate promptly; use within 1–2 days for the best chewy texture.

   Uses All fully cooked pearls, separated from the repeat cooking water · Cold water for the final rinse · Prepared sugar water