Tapioca Pudding Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is tapioca pudding any good for you? ›

It can also be a tasty, nutritious food choice for people who need to gain weight. In moderation, tapioca can play a role in a healthful eating plan. People should keep in mind that many tapioca recipes, such as tapioca pudding and bubble tea, have additional calories and fat from added sugar, milk, or cream.

Looking at a tapioca pearl, you may think, “What are these made out of?” These white little balls that give tapioca pudding its signature texture actually come from the starch of the cassava root, which is grown in the tropics. After this starch is extracted, it's formed into little pearls.

This delicious old-fashioned Tapioca Pudding recipe is one of my favorite classic desserts and only requires the simplest ingredients, including small tapioca pearls, milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

Place the tapioca in a large bowl with a quart of cold water. Cover and allow the tapioca to soak for at least 12 hours. When ready to use, use a fine-mesh strainer to drain off the water and set the soaked pearls aside.

Regarding nutritional value, tapioca, and rice pudding are high in carbohydrates and calories, but tapioca pudding is typically lower in fat than rice pudding. Tapioca pudding and rice pudding are both gluten-free, making either a good option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Properly processed tapioca is safe to eat and cheap to buy. In fact, it's a lifesaving staple in several developing countries. However, people who base a large part of their diet on cassava and tapioca-based products may ultimately lack protein and nutrients ( 26 ).

The tapioca pearls in bubble tea, also known as bubbles or boba, have a jelly-like texture and are made with tapioca starch, making it completely safe for human consumption. On the other hand, popping bubbles are made from water, fruit juice, sugar, and plant-based Alginic acid, which also makes them safe to eat.

The appearance and color of the pudding mix should be consistent with an unexpired product - typically a uniform white or off-white. Any discoloration, such as brown or black specks, can indicate mold or other spoilage.

To keep your tapioca pudding from getting runny, be sure to use whole milk. The fat from the milk is necessary for that creamy texture. For a thicker texture, cook the tapioca pearls a little longer than instructed on your package. The pearls absorb the moisture and create a nice and thick pudding.

Tapioca pudding has a rich history dating back to the 1700s and is a beloved dessert that is enjoyed by many cultures around the world. This dessert originated in Brazil and was especially popular where tapioca flour was abundant and often used in cooking.

What is another name for tapioca pudding? ›

The Guardian described it as "Britain's most hated school pudding", with names such as fish eyes, frogspawn and eyeball pudding. It is however making a comeback in the 21st century in Michelin-starred restaurants and less exalted places.

Tapioca pudding tastes very much like vanilla pudding only its texture is quite different. While still delicately creamy and smooth, it's tapioca's distinctly pearly texture that turns some people off. Tapioca pudding has a reputation for resembling fish eggs, but they are nothing like such.

Tapioca starch has a high glycemic index. That means it can cause a quick spike in your insulin and blood sugar, and should be eaten in moderate amounts. Some popular tapioca items, such as tapioca pudding and boba tea, are often high in added sugars as well.

Your pudding texture just won't turn out right if you don't soak the tapioca pearls first. Recipes often say to soak for 12 hours, but you can cut that down to 30 minutes and still achieve the creamy, custard-like texture that makes tapioca pudding so delicious.

Pudding is usually runny because it has been stored in the refrigerator for too long or in an open space. Another cause could be due to improper cooking methods.

Tapioca syrupis a healthier alternative to sugar due to its reduced carbohydrate and calorie content. Its low-conversion tapioca syrup is formed by all-natural enzymes. It also isn't exposed to pesticides or genetic alterations, providing great health benefits.

Tapioca pudding tastes very much like vanilla pudding only its texture is quite different. While still delicately creamy and smooth, it's tapioca's distinctly pearly texture that turns some people off. Tapioca pudding has a reputation for resembling fish eggs, but they are nothing like such.

Tapioca pudding is historically the most common tapioca dish in the U.S. It's made using tapioca pearls, which are small, white balls with no flavor that are used mostly in sweet recipes. They swim in a sweet, custardy pudding made with milk, eggs, and sugar. Bigger pearls are the star of boba tea, or bubble tea.

Tapioca Pudding Ingredients

Small Tapioca Pearls: Make sure to buy small tapioca pearls, not instant tapioca (also known as “minute tapioca”). I've linked my favorite brand in the recipe card below. Eggs: Although this is a pudding, it's more of a custard egg base thickened with tapioca pearls. So two eggs are needed.