Boil 1 cup water
Add 1/2 cup brown sugar or dark sugar
Stir until dissolved
Reduce heat to low
Add 1 cup tapioca starch
Stir quickly until a sticky dough forms
Remove from heat
Knead the dough until smooth
Add a little more tapioca starch if too sticky
Roll dough into long ropes
Cut ropes into small pieces
Roll each piece into a small ball
Dust with tapioca starch to prevent sticking
Bring a pot of water to a boil
Add the pearls to the boiling water
Stir gently to prevent sticking
Cook until they float
Continue cooking until chewy
Drain the pearls
Rinse briefly in cold water
Soak in sugar syrup or brown sugar syrup before using