Tapioca pearls are small, chewy spheres made from tapioca starch, which is extracted from the cassava root. Most commonly known as the key ingredient in bubble tea (boba), these pearls start as white, flavorless granules but become translucent and pleasantly springy once cooked.

They can be white, clear, or black (the darker color usually comes from brown sugar or caramel coloring) and are prized for their distinctive chewy, jelly-like texture known as QQ in Taiwanese cuisine. Tapioca pearls are typically simmered until soft, then soaked in sugar syrup to give them sweetness and shine.

Beyond bubble tea, they are also used in desserts, puddings, and traditional dishes across Asia, South America, and beyond.