Boil 6 cups of cold water in a medium saucepan.

Add 1 cup of tapioca pearls to the boiling water.

Return the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and boil gently for 30 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from heat.

Let the tapioca pearls sit in the water, covered, for 25 minutes.

Drain the tapioca pearls in a colander under cool running water.

Pour sugar syrup over the tapioca pearls.

Use the tapioca pearls within 4 to 5 hours for best results.

For make-ahead tapioca, bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Add tapioca pearls to the boiling water.

Return the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer gently for 20 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from heat.

Let the tapioca pearls sit, covered, for 15 minutes.

Drain and rinse the tapioca pearls in a colander under cool running water.

Add sugar syrup to the tapioca pearls.

Place the tapioca pearls in a sealed container.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

For tea, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil (4-to-1 ratio of water to tapioca).

Add tapioca (1/4 cup per serving) to the boiling water.

Boil for 1 to 3 minutes, or until soft.

Rinse the tapioca pearls.

Cover with sugar syrup to taste.

Add to tea mixture of choice.