What exactly is taro milk tea?

Taro milk tea is a creamy beverage made by blending taro root or taro powder with milk and sweetener. Often served with tapioca pearls as bubble tea, it can be enjoyed hot or iced. Taro adds a nutty, subtly sweet flavor and a signature purple color. You can make it using fresh steamed taro or a quick taro powder mix, similar to how black tea milk and honey can be adjusted to suit your time and taste preferences.

What does taro tea taste like?

Taro has a naturally creamy texture and a flavor that’s often described as a mix of vanilla, sweet potato, and a hint of nuttiness . In taro milk tea, this flavor becomes more mellow and dessert-like when blended with milk and sweetener. It's unique, cozy, and instantly recognizable. If you enjoy subtle root-based drinks like ube milk tea , you’ll likely love taro as well.

Is taro milk tea healthy?

Taro itself is a fiber-rich root vegetable containing antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins. However, in milk tea form, health depends on your ingredients. Using taro powder with added sugar increases calories, while fresh taro and unsweetened plant-based milk are healthier options. To control calories, reduce sweeteners and avoid heavy toppings. Curious about how it compares? Check out our milk tea calories guide .

Does taro milk tea have caffeine?

On its own, taro has no caffeine , making it a great caffeine-free alternative. However, many shops add black or green tea to deepen the flavor, which introduces caffeine. If you want a caffeine-free version, skip the tea base and stick with just taro and milk—similar to how lavender milk tea can be enjoyed both ways.

Taro Milk Tea – 3 Easy Ways to Make This Creamy Favorite

Taro Milk Tea – How to Make This Creamy, Colorful Classic at Home

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Creamy, nutty, and beautifully purple, taro milk tea is more than a trendy drink—it’s comfort in a cup. Learn how to make it hot or iced with fresh taro, powder, or frozen paste.

Author: Chef Jake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Drinks
Method: Boiled or Iced
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup cooked taro or 3 tablespoons taro powder
1 cup milk of choice (dairy, oat, or coconut)
1–2 teaspoons sweetener (honey, sugar, or syrup)
Optional: ¼ cup brewed black tea
Optional: Tapioca pearls (cooked)
Ice cubes (for iced version)
½ cup hot water (for iced version)

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Instructions

If using fresh taro, steam until tender, then mash or blend until smooth.
For hot version: Heat milk gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat (do not boil).
Stir in taro puree or powder and whisk until smooth and fully dissolved.
Add sweetener to taste.
Pour into a mug and optionally add boba pearls. Enjoy warm.
For iced version: Mix taro powder or mashed taro into hot water until smooth.
Add sweetener and stir well.
Fill a tall glass with ice and optional boba.
Pour in the taro mixture followed by cold milk. Stir or layer as desired.

Notes

Use coconut or oat milk for a dairy-free option. Adjust sweetness and tea strength to your taste. Taro pairs well with jasmine, green tea, or rose blends for added flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 250
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 80mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Find it online: https://www.howtocookeasily.com/taro-milk-tea/