How to Make Tapioca Boba

Complete guide for cooking fresh tapioca pearls every day

Total Time: 30 Minutes

Plan ahead! Boba takes 30 minutes from start to finish. Cook it early in your opening routine.

Equipment You Need

Tapioca boba cooker (automatic cooker with timer)
Non-metal spoon (plastic or wooden)
Strainer
Boba pan (for storing finished boba)
Sugar dispenser machine
Timer

Ingredients

Tapioca pearls (2 cups per batch)
- Open bag: Check refrigerator first
- Unopened bag: Storage room if none in fridge
Filtered water (to fill cooker)
Sugar (60 units on sugar machine)

Always Use Filtered Water

Only use filtered water from the RO system for cooking boba. Never use tap water.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Fill Cooker with Water

Open tapioca boba cooker
Fill with filtered water to the fill line
Make sure you use filtered water from RO system, not tap water

Step 2: Start Heating Water

Plug in cooker if not already plugged in
Power on the cooker
Press the "Function" key
Press "Start"
Cooker will begin heating water
Wait for beep (takes about 15 minutes)

Do Other Tasks While Waiting

The cooker takes 15 minutes to heat water. This is a good time to stock supplies, check milk, or clean the customer area.

Step 3: Add Tapioca Pearls (When Water Beeps)

When cooker beeps, water is ready
Get tapioca pearls:
- Check refrigerator for open bag first
- If none there, get unopened bag from storage room
Measure out 2 cups of dry tapioca pearls
Pour into the hot water in cooker
Close lid

Step 4: Set Timer for 21 Minutes

Set your timer for 21 minutes
Write down the time you started (so you don't forget)

Step 5: Stir Periodically During Cooking

Important: Open cooker and stir from time to time

Use non-metal spoon only (plastic or wooden spoon)
Open lid carefully (steam is hot!)
Stir gently to prevent sticking
Close lid and let continue cooking
Stir every 5-7 minutes

No Metal Utensils!

Never use metal spoons or utensils in the cooker. Only use plastic or wooden spoons. Metal can damage the non-stick coating.

Step 6: After 21 Minutes - Stir and Continue

When 21-minute timer goes off
Open cooker
Stir thoroughly with non-metal spoon
Set timer for 6 more minutes
Leave lid open or slightly open
Let cook for 6 more minutes

Step 7: After 6 More Minutes - Turn Off

Total cooking time is now 27 minutes
Stir one more time
Turn off cooker
Boba is done cooking

Step 8: Strain and Rinse with Cold Water

Carefully pour boba into strainer in sink
Run cold water over the boba
Gently agitate with non-metal spoon while rinsing
This stops the cooking and rinses off excess starch
Rinse for about 30 seconds to 1 minute
Let drain for a moment

Step 9: Transfer to Boba Pan and Add Sugar

Pour strained boba into boba pan
Go to sugar dispenser machine
Dispense 60 units of sugar onto the boba
- Set sugar machine to 60
- Press dispense
- Sugar will pour directly onto boba
Stir the sugar into the boba until well mixed
Sugar keeps boba from sticking together and adds flavor

Step 10: Store and Serve

Place boba pan in service area
Cover if desired (keeps warm)
Boba is ready to use in drinks!
Label with time made (important!)

How Long is Boba Good For?

Boba can stay out for 4-6 hours maximum

However, boba typically doesn't last that long because:

You use it in customer drinks throughout the day
It's usually gone within 2-3 hours during busy times
It tastes best when fresh (first 2 hours)

Check boba every hour:

If it's been out for 4+ hours: Throw it away
If it's getting hard or crusty: Make a fresh batch
If you're running low: Start making more

When to Make More Boba

During Opening (Every Day)

Make first batch as part of opening routine
Have it ready before customers arrive

During Service (As Needed)

Watch your boba supply
When you're down to about 1/4 pan left: Start a new batch
Don't wait until you run out - takes 30 minutes!
Better to have too much than run out

During Busy Times

May need to make 2-3 batches per day
Always keep one batch going during peak hours
Communicate with other staff if you're making boba

Tips for Perfect Boba

Use filtered water - RO water makes better boba and doesn't leave residue in cooker

Stir regularly - Prevents boba from sticking to bottom of cooker

Don't skip the cold water rinse - This stops cooking and removes starch

Add sugar while warm - Sugar mixes in better when boba is still warm

Make fresh daily - Never use boba from previous day

Time it right - Start early so it's ready when you open

Common Problems

Boba is Too Hard

Cause: Undercooked or dried out Fix:

If undercooked: Put back in cooker for 2-3 more minutes
If dried out: It's been out too long, make fresh batch

Boba is Too Soft/Mushy

Cause: Overcooked Fix:

Can't fix overcooked boba
Throw away and make new batch
Next time, follow timing exactly (21 min + 6 min)

Boba is Sticking Together

Cause: Not enough sugar added, or didn't stir sugar in well Fix:

Add more sugar (10-20 units) and stir well
Next time, make sure to mix sugar thoroughly

Ran Out of Boba During Service

Cause: Didn't make new batch soon enough Fix:

Start new batch immediately (takes 30 minutes)
Apologize to customers and give estimate
Next time, watch supply and make new batch when 1/4 left

Water Takes Forever to Heat

Cause: Cooker not working properly Fix:

Check that cooker is plugged in
Check that you pressed Function → Start
If still not heating, call manager
Use backup method if available

Cooker Won't Turn On

Cause: Power issue or broken cooker Fix:

Check outlet and plug
Check circuit breaker
Try different outlet
Call manager immediately
May need backup plan for boba

Food Safety Reminders

Food Safety Critical

Never use boba that's over 6 hours old
Never reuse boba from previous day
Throw away old boba even if "it looks fine"
Wash hands before and after handling boba
Keep boba covered when not in use
Use clean utensils only

If in doubt, throw it out! Customer safety is more important than wasting a batch.

Cleaning After Making Boba

After Each Batch

Rinse strainer immediately (don't let starch dry on it)
Wipe down counter around cooker
Wipe any spills in sink

End of Day

Clean cooker interior (when cool)
Wash strainer thoroughly
Wash boba pan
Wipe down sugar dispenser if any spills
See Closing Checklist

Quick Reference Card

Print this and post near the boba cooker:

TAPIOCA BOBA - 30 MINUTE PROCESS

1. Fill with FILTERED water → Power on → Function → Start
2. Wait for beep (~15 min)
3. Add 2 cups tapioca
4. Timer: 21 minutes (stir occasionally with non-metal spoon)
5. After 21 min: Stir, then 6 MORE minutes
6. Turn off, strain with cold water
7. Add 60 units sugar
8. Serve! Good for 4-6 hours max

REMEMBER:
- Filtered water only
- Non-metal spoon only
- Discard after 6 hours
- Never use day-old boba

Opening Checklist - When to make boba during opening
Milk Tea Recipes - How to use boba in drinks
Drink Categories - All drinks that use boba
Equipment Cleaning - Cleaning the cooker

Questions? Ask your manager or email [email protected]

How to Make Tapioca Boba ​

Equipment You Need ​

Ingredients ​

Step-by-Step Instructions ​

Step 1: Fill Cooker with Water ​

Step 2: Start Heating Water ​

Step 3: Add Tapioca Pearls (When Water Beeps) ​

Step 4: Set Timer for 21 Minutes ​

Step 5: Stir Periodically During Cooking ​

Step 6: After 21 Minutes - Stir and Continue ​

Step 7: After 6 More Minutes - Turn Off ​

Step 8: Strain and Rinse with Cold Water ​

Step 9: Transfer to Boba Pan and Add Sugar ​

Step 10: Store and Serve ​

How Long is Boba Good For? ​

When to Make More Boba ​

During Opening (Every Day) ​

During Service (As Needed) ​

During Busy Times ​

Tips for Perfect Boba ​

Common Problems ​

Boba is Too Hard ​

Boba is Too Soft/Mushy ​

Boba is Sticking Together ​

Ran Out of Boba During Service ​

Water Takes Forever to Heat ​

Cooker Won't Turn On ​

Food Safety Reminders ​

Cleaning After Making Boba ​

After Each Batch ​

End of Day ​

Quick Reference Card ​

Related Pages ​