Ms. Lê Thị Ánh Trinh
A great cup of milk tea is often defined by its jelly toppings; their texture, chewiness, and flavor make all the difference. Learning how to make milk tea jelly properly helps you control taste and consistency, allowing you to create your own signature drink. In this article, GC Food shares simple jelly topping recipes you can easily make at home.
1. How to make agar milk tea jelly
1.1. Ingredients for agar jelly
To prepare a basic milk tea jelly made with agar, you will need the following ingredients:
100 g white granulated sugar
10 g soft agar powder
600 ml boiling water
If you’d like to add color to your milk tea jelly, you can also use natural powders or flavored syrups such as:
Green: mint syrup or matcha powder
Red: pomegranate syrup
Yellow: passion fruit syrup
Orange: orange syrup
Pink: strawberry syrup
Note: For dark-colored or strongly flavored syrups, use only a few drops to maintain a balanced color and preserve the jelly’s natural taste.
1.2. How to make agar jelly
Step 1: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 100 g of white sugar with 10 g of soft agar powder until well combined.
Step 2: Slowly add the mixture to 600 ml of boiling water while stirring continuously. Continue stirring until the agar fully dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thick, then add your preferred flavoring or coloring syrup if desired and mix well.
Step 3: Pour the hot mixture into prepared molds or a tray immediately after cooking, then allow it to cool at room temperature before refrigerating for about 30 minutes. Once the jelly is fully set, cut it into small bite-sized cubes or 5 cm strips, depending on your preferred topping style.
2. How to make coffee jelly for milk tea
2.1. Ingredients for coffee jelly
To make coffee milk tea jelly, a popular topping with a subtle bitterness, prepare the following ingredients:
1 packet of instant coffee
100 g sugar
10 g agar powder
50 g sweetened condensed milk
2 liters of water
2.2. How to make coffee milk tea jelly
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the agar powder and sugar, mixing thoroughly to ensure the agar dissolves evenly without clumping.
Step 2: Dissolve the instant coffee in hot water, then while it is still hot and aromatic, add 50 g of sweetened condensed milk and stir until fully combined.
Step 3: Bring 2 liters of water to a rolling boil in a large pot, then reduce the heat to low and gradually add the agar and sugar mixture from Step 1 while stirring continuously to ensure everything is well combined.
Step 4: When the mixture heats up and the agar has completely dissolved, gently pour the prepared coffee mixture into the pot. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes smooth, slightly thick, and more translucent, then turn off the heat.
Step 5: Pour the coffee jelly mixture into molds or a large tray, allow it to set at room temperature, then refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until fully firm before cutting it into small cubes or long strips to use as a topping for milk tea.
3. How to make cheese milk tea jelly
3.1. Ingredients
To prepare cheese milk tea jelly, a creamy and rich topping, you will need the following ingredients:
30 g cheese
100 g sugar
10 g soft agar powder
1.5 liters of water
Jelly molds
3.2. How to make cheese jelly for milk tea
Step 1: Add the soft agar powder and sugar to a pot, then pour in 1.5 liters of cold water and stir well until fully combined. Avoid using hot water, as this can cause the agar to clump and make the jelly cloudy.
Step 2: Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously with gentle, steady movements. When the liquid becomes clearer, smoother, and slightly thickened, turn off the heat.
Step 3: Cut the cheese into small, bite-sized cubes, then place each piece into the prepared jelly molds.
Step 4: While the jelly mixture is still warm, carefully ladle it into the molds so the liquid fully coats and surrounds the cheese cubes. Place the tray in the refrigerator and allow it to chill for 1 to 2 hours, giving the jelly enough time to fully set. Once chilled, you’ll have clear, glossy jelly pieces encasing soft, creamy cheese at the center.
4. How to make chewy coconut jelly
4.1. Ingredients for coconut jelly
Nata de coco is one of the most popular milk tea jelly toppings thanks to its light aroma, chewy texture, and versatility that pairs well with almost any beverage. To make a batch of perfectly chewy coconut jelly with a light aroma and satisfying texture, prepare the following ingredients:
2 teaspoons soft agar powder
500 ml fresh coconut water
30 g granulated sugar
50 g shredded or finely chopped coconut meat
4.2. How to make chewy coconut milk tea jelly
Step 1: Crack open the coconut to extract the water, or ask the seller to do it for you to save time. Measure out exactly 500 ml of fresh coconut water and add 30 g of sugar, adjusting the sweetness to your taste if desired.
Step 2: Shred the coconut meat into thin strands or cut it into small cubes, then set it aside in preparation for molding.
Step 3: Add the coconut water, sugar, and 2 teaspoons of soft agar powder to a pot, stirring well until dissolved. Let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes, giving the agar enough time to fully absorb the liquid and hydrate evenly.
Step 4: Place the pot over the stove and cook while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. When the mixture turns clear and reaches a gentle simmer, you’ll have a fragrant coconut jelly base.
Step 5: Arrange the prepared coconut meat evenly at the bottom of the molds, creating a base layer for the jelly. Remove the pot from the heat and gently pour the coconut jelly mixture into the molds, taking care not to disturb the coconut pieces too much.
Step 6: Allow the jelly to cool slightly, then refrigerate the molds for about 1 hour until the jelly sets and develops its naturally chewy texture. To serve, simply loosen the edges with a knife or press the bottom of the mold to release the clear, glossy jelly pieces.
If you’re looking to save time while still enjoying quality and flavor, GC Food’s coconut jelly topping is a convenient and reliable alternative. Made from mature Ben Tre coconuts, it delivers a fresh, natural flavor while retaining valuable nutrients. Thanks to modern pasteurization technology and advanced UHT sterilization, the jelly achieves a naturally chewy texture with a light, refreshing taste.
5. How to make crystal jelly
5.1. Ingredients for crystal jelly
To prepare crystal milk tea jelly with a clear, crunchy texture, you will need the following ingredients:
10 g soft agar powder
2 g crunchy agar powder
50 g granulated sugar
Cooking oil
Food coloring syrup of your choice
5.2. How to make crystal jelly
Step 1: Prepare a bowl of ice-cold water, then lightly mix in a small amount of cooking oil to prevent the jelly from sticking as it sets.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the soft agar powder, crunchy agar powder, and sugar, mixing thoroughly until evenly blended.
Step 3: Once the water comes to a boil, slowly add the dry mixture from Step 2 while stirring continuously until fully dissolved. At this stage, the liquid should turn clear, become slightly thick, and develop a gentle glossy sheen.
Step 4: Transfer the agar mixture from Step 3 into a plastic squeeze bottle with a narrow nozzle, similar to a chili sauce bottle. Gently squeeze the mixture drop by drop into the prepared ice water, repeating until all the jelly is used. Upon contact with the cold water, the jelly sets instantly, forming clear, crystal-like beads.
Step 5: Scoop the jelly into a strainer and rinse under cold running water to remove any remaining oil.
6. How to make water chestnut jelly for milk tea
6.1. Ingredients for water chestnut jelly
To make water chestnut jelly, commonly used as a chewy milk tea topping, prepare the following ingredients:
200 g fresh water chestnuts
30 ml strawberry syrup
400 g tapioca starch
Ice cubes
6.2. How to make water chestnut jelly
Step 1: Peel the water chestnuts, then cut them into small cubes of about 1 cm to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture.
Step 2: Soak the diced water chestnuts in 30 ml of strawberry syrup for about 10 minutes to allow the color and flavor to absorb evenly.
Step 3: Coat the syrup-soaked water chestnuts evenly with 200 g of tapioca starch. Use a sieve to shake off any excess starch so the jelly remains clear and holds its shape when cooked.
Step 4: Boil the tapioca-coated water chestnuts until they are fully cooked and turn translucent.
Step 5: Remove the water chestnuts from the pot and lightly coat them with another thin layer of tapioca starch, then boil them again to ensure the second coating is fully cooked and sets properly.
Step 6: Once cooked, immediately transfer the water chestnut jelly into a bowl of ice water, gently stirring to cool it down quickly. This step helps prevent the pieces from sticking together while preserving their signature crisp, chewy texture.
These milk tea jelly recipes are curated by the team at G.C Food Joint Stock Company (GC Food), a trusted supplier of high-quality, safe, and certified coconut jelly products.
With the simple milk tea jelly recipes above, you can easily make a variety of homemade toppings that are delicious, visually appealing, and safe. From refreshing agar jelly and rich, creamy cheese jelly to chewy water chestnut jelly, sparkling crystal jelly, aromatic coffee jelly, and fragrant coconut jelly, each milk tea jelly topping adds its own unique touch to your milk tea. Visit the About GC Food section to explore and purchase premium coconut jelly products from GC Food.
This article is produced by the GC Food Team - Experts in natural ingredients.
