Tapioca pearls might be small, but they pack a punch when it comes to versatility in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just experimenting with new ingredients, you might be wondering, “What to do with tapioca pearls?” From creamy puddings to chewy bubble tea and even savory dishes, tapioca pearls can elevate your recipes in unexpected ways. In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to use tapioca pearls, making them a staple in your pantry.
Tapioca comes from cassava roots. Consumed by the populations of Latin America, it was discovered at the beginning of the 16th century by the first European navigators who landed in Brazil. The word comes from Guarani, a South American language. It is also called cassava starch or Japanese pearls.
It usually comes in the form of small white balls, starch that swells with the cold, a very filling ingredient. A great source of calories, this starch, which also grows in Africa and the Antilles, is used to thicken sauces or soups and to give consistency to certain dishes and is used in the composition of certain drinks and many desserts.
It is also used for people with celiac disease, and gluten intolerance. It is also useful to consume it for people with iron deficiency.
A starch highly appreciated in Thailand
Tapioca is widely used in the cuisine of other Asian countries, such as China or Japan, or South America, such as Argentina or Bolivia. But Thailand seems to be one of the great countries of choice for tapioca.
Among the many Thai dessert recipes that use tapioca, there is one very well-known dish. This popular recipe uses what is commonly called “Japanese pearls”, another name for tapioca.
This traditional and very popular dessert, which the Thais call “chè”, is made with tapioca, coconut milk, and bananas. First, pour the tapioca into boiling water. When the tapioca forms transparent balls, drain it. Then mix sugar and coconut milk in a container and heat everything. Then add the tapioca, then the banana pieces. Finally, heat this mixture for ten minutes, while stirring, then enjoy it hot.
What to do with Tapioca Pearls in Drinks and Dishes
The most trendy tapioca drink is undoubtedly bubble tea. Originally from Taiwan, it began to become known in the early 80s. This drink is made from a mixture of green or black teas, to which milk is sometimes added.
But what makes this tea unique is the presence, at the bottom of the glass, of large tapioca pearls that can even be flavored (different colors and flavors) or traditional tapioca pearls. It is these pearls that, by reference to their shape, give their name “bubble” to this original variety of tea. The slightly sweet flavor of the tapioca pearls blends perfectly with the sweetness of the beverage. It is enhanced with various flavors, ranging from strawberry to mango, including passion fruit. In addition, many desserts are made with tapioca, and exotic flavors such as coconut or passion fruit, if it is consumed as a flan.
You can make an excellent date flan with tapioca pearls. To do this, simply cook the tapioca for a quarter of an hour and add it to the vanilla soy milk brought to the boil.
Small pieces of dates will be added to the mixture. But tapioca lends itself to all dishes. You can thus prepare a tasty tapioca with chicken. To do this, buy tapioca paste and cook it. Then you just have to use it like a pancake, which you will fill with a stuffing composed of cooked chicken and seasoned with onion, garlic, tomato, and cream.
Finally, tapioca pearls offer endless possibilities for experimentation in the kitchen. Whether you’re preparing a comforting dessert or adding a unique twist to savory meals, this versatile ingredient can transform your cooking. With the ideas shared in this guide, you’re ready to unlock the full potential of tapioca pearls and enjoy their chewy texture and subtle flavor in new and exciting ways.
