Wednesday 1 June 2016

Vegan Coconut Milk Tea ~ Healthy Bubble Tea Alternative

Bracelets by Bella Buddha Beads

Jude & I needed to treat our bubble tea addiction. So, we experimented a little with making our own Coconut Milk Bubble Tea. Sugar high, chemicals high, starch high got us doing all those crazy things. So, we looked for better alternatives that are dairy free and as yummy.


As a result of bubble tea sugar high, we have decided to bring home with us a parrot one day. Crazy decision but best decision. Conversation went like this over bubble tea:

"Hey, let's get a tarantula"
"Ok, yes..."
*Googles where to get a trantula*
"Hey, actually what about a parrot?"
*We both stare in distance and sip on bubble tea*
"Today?"
"Yes, let's get one!"
*Googles where to get a parrot*
.....

So, then we drive 45 minutes, and come home with an Alexandrine. So, bubble tea does bring in good stuff. 


This one that we experimented with at home has no tapioca pearls substitute, however, if you really want a jello like texture, cutting strips of raw coconut meat works to substitute the tapioca balls. Also, blueberries give the same texture, only if you don't mind it to be a little fruity.

What is tapioca?


Tapioca is starch extracted from cassava plants. The starch is processed into the form of powder, flakes, or pearls as you see in the bubble tea. Tapioca has no protein or gluten and is mostly carbohydrates. Tapioca in bubble tea cafés may include cancer-causing chemicals such as aspolychlorinated biphenyls or PCBS as the Daily News mentioned.


Tapioca Healthy Substitutes:

1- Coconut Meat cut into strips:
Health benefits

Coconut meat is high in fat. But it isn't like other saturated fats. Fat in the coconut meats are mostly medium chain fatty acid, (Medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs) which break down a lot faster than the long chain fatty acid and is transformed into fuel quickly. Coconut meat is also known in studies to protect against strokes and heart disease. Vitamin A, E, and polyphenols all work to decrease levels of fats that stay in blood and skin tissues. 

2- Blueberries 
Health Benefits

Basically good for everything, the antioxidant queens! They are beneficial for the nervous system and brain. A new research suggests that it also improves memory. Blueberries have a low GI. High Vitamin K, C, Maganese, Fiber and Copper content. 


So, once you pick your preferred tapioca pearls substitute; coconut meat, blueberries or neither, set up the following:

Ingredients

1 organic black tea bag
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup of ice
1 1/2 cups of coconut milk
3/4 tbsp agave syrup
Your choice of blueberries or coconut meat (optional)
Coconut flakes (optional)
A big mason jar might be needed


Coconut Milk


Ice


Tea Bag & Coconut Flakes


Organic Agave Syrup


Pour 3/4 of water and let it steep with the tea in a not-so-hot temperature of water for 5 minutes. The darker the better. The key is to make the water hot enough for the tea to spread, but cool enough so that it doesn't make the ice melt immediately once you add in the ice.


 I prefer to cool the tea in the fridge for 5 more minutes, before adding ice. After refrigerating, add in the ice and the coconut milk. Pour in the agave syrup and stir. 


Now, you can sprinkle some coconut flakes, or add your tapioca pearls substitute.


And, voila!

Printable Summary: 
Prep time: 10 - 15 minutes
Serving: 1

Ingredients
1 organic black tea bag
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup of ice
1 1/2 cups of coconut milk
3/4 tbsp agave syrup
Your choice of blueberries or raw coconut meat.
Pinch of coconut flakes (optional)
*A big mason jar might be needed

Instructions
1. Heat or boil water only to be warm. (the right temperature is not too cool and not too hot)
2. Pour the water into a mason jar and let it steep in with the tea for 5 minutes. The darker the better
The key is to make the water hot enough for the tea to spread, but cool enough so that it doesn't make the ice melt immediately once you add it in.
3. Cool tea in the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes.
4. If you chose to add coconut meat substitute, cut the coconut into small strips into desired size, small enough to go through the straw.
4. Take out of refrigerator and add ice.
5. Pour in the agave syrup and stir. 
6. Add in blueberries or cut coconut meat.
7. Add in coconut flakes
8. Sip and enjoy

Stay gold, 

Selftimers

17 comments:

  1. This is so great!! I always love finding out how to make not-so-healthy-but-so-good products into healthy and tasty ones!!! Also, didn't know tapioca pearls were basically all carbs..interesting.

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  2. I had no idea that there was organic syrup. By any chance do you know what makes it organic. Also, tapioca is my favorite thing in the world. I typically have it in my boba tea. Stay golden darling.

    ❤︎
    Dakota D.
    http://fannypacksandvisors.com
    IG: @missdsquared413

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  3. I would definitely try this tomorrow. I love ordinary boba milk tea but it's getting unhealthy now so i'm very grateful for this post :)

    Liz
    www.raw-shrimp.com

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  4. yummy, and looks so delicious :) I need to try it, anyway I'm following you via bloglovin' :)

    xxx

    anna from http://stylelovely.com/mimundonormal/

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  5. That really looks tasty! And I love reading healthy alternatives. Thanks for sharing!

    Love, Richel. | Richel Goes Places

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  6. The coconut drink looks delicious! Yum! Great post!

    Http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com

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  7. mmm this sounds great ! :)

    http://www.carolinapinglo.com/

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  8. Sounds soo yum!! I need to try to make this as well. :)

    xx
    http://www.pau-dictado.com/blog/2016/5/23/xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds so yumm! I need to try to make this as well. Must be so refreshing for the summer time.

    xx
    atsunamatsui.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love healthy and tasty drinks! I have to try to do this.

    jointyicroissanty

    ReplyDelete
  11. Really looks delicious!
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  12. This looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe, can't wait to try it out!

    Nicolas from Dresscape
    www.dresscape.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG! How delicious! Need to try this recipe -- thanks for sharing!
    Happy Monday, love!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    www.WhatWouldVWear.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks so good! :)
    Thanks for sharing dear! ♥


    XX,

    Photography & Fashion Blog,

    www.ChristinaKey.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. This sounds amazing! And looks amazing too ;). Way to go on finding some healthier alternatives!

    -Emily www.coatandcoffee.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. If you want to be strong and healthy, you need to forget about all foods contains fat and gluten. eat more veggies and fruits, support your daily water balance.red led light for face

    ReplyDelete