Bubble Tea, 10 Trim Healthy Mama Ways

Thanks to Instagram, the Taiwanese sensation Bubble Tea has taken the world by storm.

It goes by several different names: pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, boba juice, or simply boba, so don't let all the different names fool you!  And, while there are tons of different variations of bubble tea (if you can dream it you can do it) most contain a tea base that is then mixed or shaken with fruit and/or milk, which is then poured over cooked giant black tapioca in a simple syrup mixture.
Seriously, from the moment I saw a video of Bubble Tea on Instagram, I was hooked!  It looked so fun, so delicious, and the possibilities were endless!  Check it out for yourself:

Bubbleology is happiness. ? by @winyeemichelle

A photo posted by Bubbleology (@bubbleology) on Jun 5, 2016 at 6:07am PDT

There was just one big issue: eliminate the sugar, and streamline a few Bubble Tea Recipes to make them fit nicely within a Trim Healthy Mama, Satisfying (S), Energizing (E) or Fuel Pull (FP) category so that I could happily drink them on plan.

And, I'm happy to report back to you that Bubble Tea is completely doable as a Trim Healthy Mama.  It took more than a few tweaks, sure, but I'll give you everything you need to know to make a basic Bubble Tea that's happily on plan, as well as experiment with your own creations!

So, what is it?  An E, S, or FP?

I really, really wanted to be able to make an S version with real milk, but because the tapioca pearls are entirely made of carbohydrates, these drinks have to be an E.  They clock in at right about 20 carbohydrates per serving, which definitely puts it in the Energizing category.

Unfortunately, I don't see a way around this, and even though the bulk of my meals are Fuel Pull or Satisfying, these Bubble Teas are so delicious they're totally worth scheduling an E lunch just so I can have one.

What Do You Need?

Thankfully, making Bubble Tea is relatively inexpensive.  You do need a few items that you probably don't have around the house:

Giant Black Tapioca (Alternatively, you can make your own)

Gentle Sweet

Organic Oolong Tea

Boba Tea Straws

You'll also need this simple recipe for Stevia Simple Syrup:

• 3 T Water
• 3 T Gentle Sweet
• Boil the water on the stovetop, add the Gentle Sweet until combined, boil for 2 minutes more, then cool down

To cook the Boba:

• My favorite boba is this kind.  They're affordable an can be cooked in less than 5 minutes.
• To cook, place 10x the amount of water as boba into a pan and boil on the stove.
• Once the water is boiling, add the boba.
• When the boba floats to the top, cook an additional 2-3 minutes, then drain and place in cold water to cool.
• Once cool, drain most of the water again (leave just a bit) and then add a couple spoonfuls of Gentle Sweet.  Stir together the Gentle Sweet, water, and cooked boba, and let sit for about an hour before using.

Finally, you'll need cups and straws.  Say what you will, but Bubble Tea is so much more fun out of a plastic cup, like you would get from a cafe.  They can also accomodate the special straws you can buy here that are big enough to suck up the boba from the bottom of the cup.

Basic Bubble Tea (Milk Tea)

Other Variations:

Coconut Milk Bubble Tea (S, slight crossover)

• 1/3 cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 3 T Stevia Simple Syrup
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 2/3 Cup Ice Cubes
• Additional Stevia Simple Syrup for serving

Matcha Bubble Tea (THM: E Superfood Bubble Tea)

• 1/3 cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 3 T Stevia Simple Syrup
• 1 Cup water + 1 tsp Matcha Powder
• 1/3 cup Almond Milk
• 2/3 cup Ice Cubes
• Stevia Simple Syrup, to taste

Peach Bubble Tea (THM:E)

• 1/3 cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 1 Cup brewed green or white tea
• 1 peach blended with a splash of lemon juice
• Stevia simple syrup, to taste

Protein-Packed Bubble Tea (THM:S, very slight crossover)

• 1/3 Cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 1 cup strongly brewed black tea, combined with
• 1 scoop Integral Collagen while the tea is still hot
• 2/3 cup Ice
• 1/2 Cup Whole Milk
• Stevia Simple Syrup, to taste

Fruity Pebbles Bubble Tea (THM:E)

• 1/3 cup cooked Colored Giant Black Tapioca
• 3 T Stevia Simple Syrup
• 1/2 Cup Brewed Black Tea, strong
• 2/3 Cup Ice Cubes
• 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• Stevia Simple Syrup for Serving

Strawberry Mango Bubble Tea (THM:E)

• 1/3 cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 3 T Stevia Simple Syrup
• 1 cup Frozen Strawberries + 1 Cup Frozen Mango blended with:
• 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• Additional Stevia Simple Syrup, for serving

Chai Bubble Tea (THM:E)

• 1/3 cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 3 T Stevia Simple Syrup
• 1 cup strongly brewed Chai Tea
• 2/3 cup Ice Cubes
• 1/3 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• Stevia Simple Syrup for serving

Strawberry Bubble Tea Slushie (THM:E)

• 1/3 Cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 1 1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries, blended with
• 1/4 cup Stevia Simple Syrup, and
• 1 cup Water
• Additional Stevia Simple Syrup, to taste

Iced Coffee Bubble Tea (THM:S, very slight crossover)

• 1/3 cup cooked Giant Black Tapioca
• 1 Cup strongly brewed coffee
• 2/3 Cup Ice
• 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/4 Cup Stevia Simple Syrup

You'll be surprised at how well this fun take on tea fits into a Trim Healthy Lifestyle and how easy it is to make!

Gretchen Lindow

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