Brilliant Boba! Why Getting Your Brew Right is Key

Think about your favourite bubble tea. You love the chewy pearls, the sweet flavours, maybe the milky taste or the fruity zing. But have you ever thought about the actual tea in your bubble tea?

It's easy to forget, but the tea is the base for the whole drink! And if the tea part isn't right, the whole bubble tea can taste a bit… meh. Getting the tea strength correct is super important for making a truly brilliant bubble tea.

Let's break down why it matters and how things like water temperature, brew time, and even ice make a big difference.

Your Tea Needs to Be Strong Enough!

Bubble tea isn't just tea. You're adding:

• Milk (dairy or plant-based)

• Sugar or syrups

• Toppings like pearls or jellies

• Loads of ice!

All these things can hide the taste of the tea, especially the milk and sugar. Plus, the ice melts, adding extra water and making the tea flavour even weaker.

So, if you brew your tea the same strength as a normal hot cuppa, the flavour will just get lost. You need to brew it stronger so you can still taste that lovely tea flavour even after everything else is mixed in.

What's the Difference? Weak Tea vs. Strong Tea

• Weak Tea: Makes the bubble tea taste watery or just like sweet milk. A bit boring, right? You miss out on the actual tea taste.

• Strong Tea (Brewed Right!): Gives the drink a proper base flavour. It balances out the sweetness from the syrup and the creaminess from the milk. It makes the whole drink taste more interesting, more refreshing, and just... better!

How to Brew it Right: The Main Things to Control

Getting the perfect strength isn't magic. You just need to control a few key things:

1. How Much Tea You Use: This is the starting point. Because you add milk, sugar, and ice later, you need to use more tea leaves for bubble tea than you would for a regular cup. How much more? It depends on the tea, but maybe try using double the amount you'd use for a normal hot drink as a good starting place (like 4-6 teaspoons per litre instead of 2-3). Test it with your specific tea to see what works!
   
   

2. Water Temperature (How Hot?): The heat of the water pulls the flavour out of the tea leaves. But get it wrong, and it can ruin the taste!
   
   

•  Delicate Green Teas (like Jasmine) need cooler water. If the water is boiling, they can taste bitter. Using water that's hot but not boiling, maybe around 70°C to 80°C, is often much better for a nice, smooth flavour.

• Black Teas usually need hotter water, almost boiling (around 95°C+), to get their strong, bold taste out.

3. Brewing Time (How Long?): Leaving the tea leaves in the hot water is called 'steeping' or 'resting'. The longer you leave them, the stronger the tea gets.
   
   

• Example: For a really strong Black Tea to go in a milk tea, you might need to steep it for 8 to 15 minutes.

• Be Careful Though! If you steep Green Tea for that long, it will probably taste horrible and bitter! Green teas usually only need a few minutes (like 3-5). You need to match the time to the type of tea you're using!

Don't Forget About the Ice!

This is really important! After you've brewed your nice strong tea and let it rest, you'll mix it with ice to make the final bubble tea cold.

Remember: Ice melts and adds water. So, if your tea isn't strong enough to begin with, it will taste weak and watery once the ice starts melting. Always brew your tea strong enough to handle the ice!

Tips for Your Bubble Tea Shop:

• Write Down Your Recipe: Be exact! How much tea? How hot is the water? How many minutes do you brew it for? Write it down so everyone makes it the same way.

• Use Gadgets: Use weighing scales for the tea, a thermometer for the water, and a timer for the brewing. Being exact helps make it taste great every time.

• Taste It Regularly: Make sure you taste the finished bubble tea often. Is the tea flavour strong enough? Does it taste balanced? If not, tweak your recipe.

• Good Tea = Good Flavour: Starting with good quality tea leaves makes a big difference.

Summing Up

Getting the tea strength right is a secret star of brilliant bubble tea. Pay attention to how much tea you use, how hot the water is, and how long you brew it for. And always remember that ice will water it down! Get the brew right, and your customers in Portsmouth and beyond will keep coming back for more.

Want teas that are perfect for making bubble tea? Check out our range selected just for shops like yours, or give us a shout if you want brewing tips!