Frog Spawn Tea

I love the holidays. Maybe it's because there's a change in the air, and sweaters are being pulled out and dreams of warm cocoa and apple cider fill my head, or maybe it's because people start decorating their houses and businesses in earnest.

The thing is that I really only get into the holiday spirit by living vicariously through other people. I always think to myself, oh it would be fun to carve a pumpkin or get dressed up for Halloween. But pretty much it rarely - or never - happens.

This year, though, I promised myself that if nothing else, I'd make something creepy to eat or drink. It wasn't until I was in the grocery store the other day and saw a bag of tapioca that I knew what I'd do.

If you have ever had bubble tea you'll know that it is one of the most unusual things to drink, but completely fun at the same time. The first time I had bubble tea was only a few months ago, but after my first sip - and chew - I was completely hooked.

It's also the perfect drink for a holiday like Halloween, because you can really get creative.

Frog Spawn Tea

• 1/3 cup large pearl tapioca
• 3 cups water
• Tea, any flavor and enough for at least one cup (if you're the only one drinking)
• Sugar syrup

Bring the three cups of water to boil in a medium-sized sauce pan.

Pour the tapioca pearls into the boiling water then turn down the heat to medium or a little lower, and then cover. Cook for 25 minutes.

After the 25 minutes is up, take the tapioca off the heat and let sit for an additional 25 minutes.

Once it is done, drain and rinse. It will be slimy so make sure you don't leave it in your colander for long.

Put the tapioca into a jar and cover with a cool or cold sugar syrup. (If you want to make your own it is two parts sugar to one part water, and you cook until the sugar is completely dissolved.) If necessary you can add more water to the jar to make sure the tapioca is completely covered by liquid.

In the meantime prepare your tea.

I chose to make chamomile since it was late, but you can use pretty much any tea you want. Black tea is a good option as well as green tea.

Now assemble. Place a few spoonfuls of cooked tapioca pearls into a glass and then add the tea on top. You may use a straw to drink (if it is large enough to suck up the pearls) or you can use a spoon.

A few other options - you can add soy milk or some other vegan milk to this, as well as more sweetener. You can also get creative and use food coloring to make it visually more interesting.

I also found these recipes on Instructables to be really helpful.

Quick note - I am not completely sure how long the cooked tapioca pearls will last in the refrigerator, but since I'm storing them in a sugar syrup I would think that they should last at least a week or two.

Happy (belated) Halloween and may you get into the holiday spirit too! :)

Cheers!