Milk tea is a beverage enjoyed in various forms throughout the world, hot or cold, with or without boba, sweetened or unsweetened. The variations are endless, but most share a similar base: brewed black tea mixed with milk or milk substitute and sometimes a little sugar. The addition of milk helps to balance out the slightly bitter and astringent flavor of the tea while adding a creaminess that makes the drink enjoyable for people with different palates and preferences.
The milk used can be whole cow’s milk, soymilk, almond milk, rice milk, or even oat milk. The tea can be either black tea, green tea, oolong tea, or a blend of multiple types of teas. The resulting drink can be served warm or cold, with or without boba, and is usually sweetened with either simple syrup or brown sugar.
Traditionally, milk tea is a comforting drink that can be consumed when feeling down or when you need a pick me up. The soothing nature of the drink is also beneficial to those suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression. It is also thought that the milk in the tea can help to prevent headaches.
There are many ways to make a great cup of milk 밀크티 tea, and the best way is to use the highest quality ingredients you can find. Using whole milk will yield the most flavorful and smooth tea, while skim or low fat milk will produce a weaker and less satisfying drink. The type of tea used can make a significant difference, too.
For example, Assam black tea from India is a popular choice for milk tea because it has a full body and malty taste that pairs well with dairy and sweetness. Our organic Assam black tea is an FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe) second flush and it produces a full-bodied cup of tea with notes of stone fruit and honey.
Another popular variation of milk tea is bubble tea. It consists of a tea with or without milk, typically sweetened, and topped with chewy tapioca pearls. The boba in bubble tea can be fat or thin, round or square, red or white, and they can come in several flavors as well. During the WWII, British troops brought the idea of milk tea to Taiwan and from there, bubble tea was born.
The tea in bubble milk tea can be black or green tea, and the toppings can include anything from coconut jelly to grass jelly to adzuki beans. If you are feeling boozy, a dash of rum or whiskey can be added to the drink for a tasty adult version of this classic comfort drink. However, it is important to keep in mind that bubble milk tea should be consumed as soon as possible after cooking the boba because it will lose its texture and chewiness the longer it sits in the refrigerator. We recommend making this drink on a hot day to enjoy it at its best.