Quick Answer
Taro balls are a traditional Taiwanese dessert, soft and chewy with a taro aroma. According to Chinese Wikipedia, the basic ingredients are taro, sweet potato starch, potato starch and water; they were created in 1946 by Tsai Lin Bao-yun, who lived in Ruifang, and became famous in the 1970s, when vendors in Jiufen added them to shaved ice. Similar variations include sweet potato balls, mung bean balls, matcha balls, yam balls and sesame balls. Bubble tea and dessert shops often add taro balls to hot grass jelly, taro fresh milk and shaved ice.
Where Taro Balls Come From
| Year | Development (from Chinese Wikipedia “Taro balls”) |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Tsai Lin Bao-yun of Ruifang created taro balls |
| 1970s | Vendors in Jiufen added taro balls to shaved ice, making them famous |
Taro Ball Ingredients
| Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|
| Taro | Main flavor and color |
| Sweet potato starch | Chewiness |
| Potato starch (taibai fen) | Adjusts texture |
| Water | Binds the dough |
In Taiwan, “taibai fen” thickening starch may be made from potato or tapioca starch, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare requires the actual source to be labeled; see What Is Tapioca Starch?
Taro Ball Variations
According to Chinese Wikipedia, there are many similar balls made the same way, differing mainly in the main ingredient and color:
- Sweet potato balls
- Mung bean balls
- Matcha balls
- Yam balls
- Sesame balls
How Bubble Tea and Dessert Shops Use Taro Balls
| Item | How it’s served |
|---|---|
| Hot grass jelly | Heated grass jelly with taro balls and red beans |
| Taro ball fresh milk | Fresh milk with taro balls, optionally brown sugar syrup |
| Taro ball shaved ice | Shaved ice with taro balls and syrup |
| Taro fresh milk | Taro paste or taro powder with fresh milk, topped with taro balls |
For grass jelly, see What Is Grass Jelly?
Shelf-Stable Taro Balls and Taro Ball Powder
Making taro balls by hand means steaming taro, kneading and cutting, which is labor-intensive. Common alternatives:
- Shelf-stable taro balls: cook or use as directed on the package, no kneading needed.
- Taro ball and sweet potato ball powders: knead with water at the package ratio for more consistent quality.
Tang Sugar Taro Ball Products
Tang Sugar supplies shelf-stable taro balls (1 kg bags, 15 bags per carton), taro ball sweet potato powder and sweet potato ball powder (1 kg bags), plus canned taro, premium taro powder and classic taro powder. See all products or request samples.
FAQ
What are taro balls made of?
According to Chinese Wikipedia, the basic ingredients are taro, sweet potato starch, potato starch and water.
Where were taro balls invented?
According to Chinese Wikipedia, taro balls were created in 1946 by Tsai Lin Bao-yun of Ruifang, Taiwan, and became famous in the 1970s when they were added to shaved ice in Jiufen.
What is the difference between taro balls and sweet potato balls?
They are made the same way; the main difference is the main ingredient. Taro balls use taro and sweet potato balls use sweet potato, so the color and flavor differ.
How are taro balls used in bubble tea?
They are commonly added to hot grass jelly, taro ball fresh milk, taro fresh milk and shaved ice.
Are taro balls made from real taro?
Yes. The basic ingredients are taro, sweet potato starch, potato starch and water.
Further Reading
Sources
- Chinese Wikipedia: Taro balls (in Chinese)
- Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare: New food regulations for 2017 (starch source labeling) (in Chinese)
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
