Bubble Tea

Makes 2 servings

Tapioca: ¼ cup large pearl tapioca, dried 2 cups room temperature water Sugar Syrup: ½ cup packed light brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 cup water Tea: Water 2 bags black tea (or two servings loose tea) ½ cup half & half ice (optional)

Put the dried tapioca in a medium bowl and add the room temperature water. Cover and let sit overnight to soften. Once plumped, strain, discarding water and reserving the tapioca (tapioca should be gummy-like in texture and taste). Prepare the sugar syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the sugars and 1 cup water and set over medium-low heat. Let mixture heat until all of the sugar has dissolved. Cool mixture to room temperature. Prepare the tea. Fill the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable Tea Steeper and Kettle with water to the 2-cup marking. Put the tea into the tea infuser. Insert the tea infuser into the infuser holder and lock in the raised position. Insert raised steeping assembly into kettle. Turn kettle on, select the Black setting (Boil - 212°F) and press Temp Start. Once the water reaches temperature, the timer will display 4 minutes. Lower the tea infuser into the heated water by turning the steeper lid to the DOWN position. Press Time Start to begin countdown. Once the time has elapsed, raise the tea infuser from the water by turning the steeper lid to the UP position. Turn unit off and cool to room temperature. To serve: Put 2 tablespoons each of the plumped tapioca, sugar syrup and half & half into a tall glass. Add 1 cup of the tea into the glass and stir to combine. Add ice if you desire a cooler drink. Repeat with second serving. Serving note: Traditionally, Bubble Tea is served with a large, wide straw so the tapioca can be enjoyed while sipping the tea.