Sago pearls are small, round, translucent balls made from the starch extracted from the sago palm. They are commonly used in various desserts and beverages, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine. When cooked, sago pearls become chewy and slightly gelatinous, making them a popular ingredient in sweet dishes like sago pudding and bubble tea. To prepare sago pearls, they are typically boiled in water until they turn from opaque to translucent. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Once cooked, they can be sweetened with sugar or coconut milk and served warm or cold, adding a unique texture to various recipes.