Chocolate Pearl Frap = Delish

Today's cold weather has inspired a chocolatey treat with a twist... I am absolutely obsessed with the fad of bubble tea, boba, or pearl tea as some may call it. Delicious drinks such as milk tea, flavored green teas, or smoothies accompanied by tapioca pearls - an asian drink introduced to me by my boyfriend :) Here's my take on a sweet treat...

Chocolate Pearl Frap:

- 1/2 cup coffee (I used Starbuck's 'Natural Fusions Vanilla') - chilled
- 1/2 cup of milk (fat free)
- 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
- 2 tablespoons of sugar (splenda or truvia for fewer calories)
- about 2 cups of ice (depending on preferred thickness)
- 1/3 cup tapioca pearls (which can be bought at an asian market - they come in black and rainbow!)

*To lower calorie intake use no sugar added chocolate syrup and the sugar substitute. Fat free milk also cuts down on the fat intake. There are also lower calorie coffee blends.

1) In a blender combine chilled coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, sugar and ice. Mix for about 10-15 seconds on high, until a smoothie like consistancy is achieved.
2) In an empty glass, scoop tapioca pearls from pan into the bottom of the glass. Poor frap mixture over the pearls, stick in a straw and spoon and your done. Now enjoy -- yummy!



*** To Prepare Pearls:

1) Fill a pan with the required amount of water (5 cups of water for every 1 cup of pearls). Bring water to a boil.
2) Measure desired amount of pearls (1/3 cup for this recipe)  and add to boiling water. Boil for 10-15 minutes or until the pearls have a gummy consistency.
3) Drain water from pearls. Sweeten with 1/2 teaspoon honey and 1/4 teaspoon sugar (splenda or truvia) - mix with pearls.

Finished Product:

Why not try something new? ;)