To make boba pearls (tapioca pearls) from scratch, follow these steps:

Ingredients

• Tapioca starch (flour)
• Boiling water
• Brown sugar (optional, for syrup)

Making the Tapioca Dough

1. Heat water and sugar in a pot until almost boiling, then remove from heat.
2. Gradually add tapioca starch to the hot water, stirring to avoid lumps.
3. Return to low heat and stir until the mixture thickens into a paste.
4. Remove from heat and add the remaining tapioca starch, mixing until a sticky dough forms.
5. Transfer the dough to a surface dusted with tapioca starch and knead until smooth and pliable. Keep it covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying

Shaping the Pearls

1. Divide the dough into portions.
2. Roll each portion into long thin rods.
3. Cut the rods into small pieces (about 1 gram each).
4. Roll each piece into a small ball (the pearl).
5. Dust the pearls with tapioca starch to prevent sticking and shake off excess starch

Cooking the Boba Pearls

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Add the pearls and stir to prevent sticking.
3. Boil for 15-20 minutes until pearls float and become translucent.
4. Turn off heat and let the pearls sit covered in hot water for an additional 5-25 minutes depending on desired chewiness.
5. Drain and rinse in cold water or soak in sugar syrup to prevent sticking and add sweetness

Optional: Brown Sugar Syrup for Flavor

• Warm brown sugar with a little water until dissolved and syrupy.
• Toss cooked pearls in the syrup to coat and flavor them

This process yields chewy, fresh boba pearls suitable for bubble tea or other drinks. The pearls are best consumed within 12-24 hours after cooking