Description

This refreshing Watermelon Popping Boba recipe showcases a fun and creative method called spherification, where watermelon juice is transformed into delicate, flavorful boba spheres that burst with juice when bitten. Perfect as a topping for summer drinks, fruit salads, or frozen desserts, these watermelon boba add a playful and fruity twist to your favorite treats while maintaining a vegan and gluten-free profile.

Ingredients

Scale

Watermelon Boba Mixture

2 cups watermelon juice (strained, from fresh watermelon)
2 tablespoons sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon sodium alginate
1 cup cold water (for sodium alginate mixture)

Setting Bath

1 cup water
1 teaspoon calcium lactate

Optional Additions

Mint leaves or lemon juice for flavor boost

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Instructions

Prepare Watermelon Juice: In a blender, combine the strained watermelon juice and sugar if using. Blend well and taste to adjust the sweetness to your preference.
Dissolve Sodium Alginate: In a separate small bowl, sprinkle the sodium alginate into 1 cup of cold water. Use a blender or immersion blender to fully dissolve it until the mixture is smooth. Let this rest for 15–30 minutes to eliminate air bubbles.
Mix Alginate with Watermelon Juice: After the sodium alginate mixture has rested, stir in the prepared watermelon juice carefully until a uniform, smooth mixture is achieved.
Prepare Calcium Lactate Bath: In another bowl, mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of calcium lactate until completely dissolved, creating the setting bath.
Form Watermelon Boba: Using a dropper or squeeze bottle, gently drip the watermelon-alginate mixture drop by drop into the calcium bath. The droplets will instantly form into boba-like spheres and set within 30–60 seconds.
Rinse and Remove Boba: Once set, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the popping boba from the calcium bath. Rinse them gently in clean water to stop the setting process and remove excess calcium.
Serve: Use the popping boba immediately as a fun topping in drinks, fruit salads, or frozen desserts. You can also serve them chilled for an extra refreshing touch.

Notes

For best results, ensure the watermelon mixture is thin and strain-free to allow smooth droplet formation.
The popping boba can be refrigerated in plain water for up to 24 hours but avoid freezing as it will compromise the texture.
Adjust sugar amount based on the sweetness of your watermelon and your personal taste preference.
Optional additions like mint leaves or lemon juice can enhance the flavor profile.