Creamy Mango Tapioca Recipe

Make Your Summer Holiday Sweeter with Creamy Mango Tapioca

Make your summer holiday sweeter with this delightful and refreshing creamy mango tapioca recipe. This dessert combines the tropical flavor of ripe mangoes with the rich and creamy texture of all-purpose cream, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Perfect for cooling down on a hot day, this mango tapioca is not only easy to make but also a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for more. Whether you're hosting a summer party or simply looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with your family, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Follow our step-by-step guide to create this delicious and creamy mango tapioca that will make your summer unforgettable!

Origin of the Dish

Mango Tapioca is a contemporary dessert that originated in Hong Kong. It is a variation of the dessert Mango Pomelo Sago, which was first invented in 1984 by the famous restaurant Lei Garden when it decided to open its first branch in Singapore. Wong Wing-chee, the former head chef of the restaurant, invented this dessert to feel cooler or be refreshed after tasting it. This dessert is famous in Chinese countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Chinese restaurants. Its original recipe, Mango Pomelo Sago, is made of diced mangoes, pomelo, coconut milk, and evaporated milk. However, it has evolved over time and can easily be made with diced mangoes, all-purpose cream, condensed milk, and small sago or tapioca pearls, earning its new variation name, Mango Tapioca.

When is Mango Tapioca Typically Served?

Mango Tapioca is commonly served as a dessert after every meal during Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions. It can also be a refreshing summer drink since it is served cold. This is perfect to pair with a midday snack during summer days. Indulge your thirst with this satisfying cold dessert, which you can’t get enough of once you taste it.

Kitchen Utensils You Need

Upon making mango tapioca, all you need are the following:

• Knife to cut the mangoes into dice
• Can opener to open your condensed milk and evaporated milk
• Pair of scissors to open the all-purpose cream
• Cooking pot to cook the tapioca pearls
• Mixing bowl where all ingredients will be mixed together
• Strainer to separate cooked tapioca from water
• Spatula to mix all ingredients thoroughly
• Serving cups, bottles, or even a glass (preferably with a lid)

Creamy Mango Tapioca’s Primary Ingredients – Mangoes and Tapioca Pearls

Creamy Mango Tapioca is primarily made from mangoes and tapioca pearls. Let’s talk about the how’s and what’s about the two.

Let’s start with the mangoes. Creamy Mango Tapioca is a healthy snack because one of its main ingredients is mangoes, which are full of health benefits: One serving of mango provides 50% of your daily vitamin C. Each serving of mango provides 8% of your daily vitamin A, 7% of your daily fiber, 15% of your daily folate, and 15% of your daily copper.

When making mango tapioca, make sure to pick the sweetest mangoes available to best complement the dish. Choose the ones that are dark yellow in color because those are the sweetest. For my personal way of identifying the sweetest mangoes, I smell them. You can recognize the sweetness of the mango by its smell that lingers to your nose. Remember, do not judge the mango by its cover – red does not mean ripe.

The second main ingredient for Creamy Mango Tapioca is tapioca pearls. Unlike bubble tea, we will not be using boba pearls, which are the size of a marble and are dark in color. Instead, we will be using tapioca pearls, which are the size of a pea and are translucent in color. They are made with tapioca starch, which is extracted from the cassava root. These are flavorless and are added to some drinks and desserts because of their pleasurable chewy texture.

How to Cook Tapioca Pearls

One common challenge people face when making creamy mango tapioca is cooking the tapioca pearls correctly. No worries, cooking tapioca pearls is simple and easy. Just follow these steps to achieve perfect results every time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Tapioca Pearls

1. Prepare the Cooking Pot: Fill a cooking pot with water and bring it to a boil. Ensure you use enough water to prevent the pearls from sticking together.

2. Correct Water-to-Pearl Ratio: Use a ratio of 1 cup of tapioca pearls to 6 cups of water. This ensures the pearls cook evenly and achieve the desired texture.

3. Boil the Tapioca Pearls: Once the water is boiling, add the tapioca pearls and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pearls from sticking.

4. Rest the Pearls: Turn off the heat and leave the pot covered for an additional 15 minutes. This allows the pearls to finish cooking and achieve a chewy texture.

5. Rinse and Drain: Drain the tapioca pearls and rinse them under cold water until they are completely translucent. This removes excess starch and prevents them from becoming gummy.

Tips for Perfect Tapioca Pearls

• Use Plenty of Water: Tapioca pearls absorb water quickly and are starchy. Using enough water prevents them from becoming sticky and ensures they cook properly.
• Stir Occasionally: Stirring occasionally during cooking prevents the pearls from clumping together.
• Rinse Thoroughly: Rinsing under cold water removes excess starch and helps achieve a translucent appearance.
• Cook in Batches: If you need a large quantity, cook the tapioca pearls in batches to ensure even cooking.
• Check for Doneness: Taste a few pearls to ensure they are cooked through and have the desired chewy texture.
• Store Properly: If not using immediately, store cooked tapioca pearls in a bowl of water to prevent them from drying out.

By understanding how to cook tapioca pearls correctly, you can enhance your culinary creations and enjoy the unique texture they bring to dishes like creamy mango tapioca. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, incorporating tapioca pearls into your recipes can add a fun and delicious element to your desserts and beverages.

Interesting Facts About Mango Tapioca

Mango Tapioca is a delightful dessert with a rich history and some fascinating facts. Here are some interesting tidbits that will make you appreciate this sweet treat even more:

1. Mango Tapioca or Mango Sago originated in Hong Kong.
2. Mangoes are related to cashews and pistachios.
3. Tapioca and sago are made from different plants but are similar and behave the same.
4. The original recipe, Mango Pomelo Sago, was invented in 1984 by the famous restaurant Lei Garden.
5. Mangoes are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world.
6. Tapioca pearls are gluten-free, making them suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
7. Mangoes contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, making them a superfood.
8. The cassava root, from which tapioca is derived, is native to South America.
9. Mango Tapioca is a popular dessert in many Asian countries, including Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
10. The chewy texture of tapioca pearls adds a unique contrast to the creamy and fruity elements of the dessert.

Tips and Tricks When Making Mango Tapioca

• Use Ripe Mangoes: Choose dark yellow mangoes for the sweetest flavor.
• Smell Test: Smell the mangoes to identify their sweetness; a sweet aroma indicates a ripe mango.
• Avoid Red Mangoes: Red does not mean ripe; focus on the yellow color and aroma.
• Serve Cold: Mango tapioca is best served chilled for a refreshing treat.
• Experiment with Flavors: Add a splash of coconut milk or a sprinkle of mint for a unique twist.

Surely this will be your new go-to cold dessert that perfectly blends with the summer heat. You can even make it to be served by scoop or by straw, depending on how you slice the mangoes and its container - whether small cups for scooping or big bottles for straws. This dessert has been a favorite for anyone who has tasted it because of how the ingredients complement each other. You can even add mango gulaman to the ingredients to make it more flavorful. Indulge and satisfy your cravings!

In conclusion, Creamy Mango Tapioca is a delightful and refreshing dessert that perfectly blends the tropical flavor of ripe mangoes with the rich and creamy texture of all-purpose cream, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. This easy-to-make treat is ideal for cooling down on a hot summer day and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. By following the step-by-step guide and tips provided, you can create a delicious and unforgettable dessert that will leave everyone asking for more. Enjoy the unique combination of flavors and textures that make Creamy Mango Tapioca a favorite summer treat!