Ingredients:
•1 cup tapioca flour (also known as tapioca starch)
•3/4 cup warm water
•1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions:
Mix the tapioca flour, salt and warm water in a bowl until it forms a smooth and sticky dough. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
Cover and set aside the dough for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the dough to hydrate and become more pliable.
Wet your hands and roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Make sure the dough does not stick to your hands.
Boil 4-6 cups of salted water in a pot. The water should be rolling boil.
Gently drop the dough balls into the boiling water one by one.
Cook the dough balls until they start popping, about 3 to 5 minutes. The popping means the pearls are done.
Carefully drain the popping pearls in a colander.
Toss with melted butter or your favorite sauce and enjoy the light and crispy popping pearls!
Some tips to make popping pearls:
•Use tapioca flour for the right chewy texture. Cornstarch will make the pearls tough.
•Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. Salt also helps bring out the popping effect.
•Do not overcrowd the pot while boiling the pearls. Boil them in batches if needed.
• lightly dropping the pearls into the boiling water is the key to making them light and fluffy.
•To keep the pearls crunchy, toss with sauce immediately after draining and serving.
•Store any leftover popping pearls in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to 3 days.