Tea World
Easy Homemade Milk Tea Recipe
Milk is a beloved and essential ingredient in many cultures around the world when it comes to tea. From the Indian subcontinent to the British Isles, Taiwan, and Japan, adding milk to tea is a longstanding tradition. Let’s explore how different cultures enjoy milk in their tea.
Milk Tea Around The World
In India, buffalo milk is a traditional addition to the popular masala chai. This tea is made by blending spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom with black tea from Darjeeling, Assam, or Ceylon.
In the UK, English breakfast teas and Earl Grey teas are often sweetened with a splash of milk or half and half.
For Taiwanese tea drinkers, bubble tea or boba is made using fresh milk and tapioca pearls that can be found in Asian supermarkets and grocery stores.
Even in China, where tea originated, milk is commonly added to both green tea and black tea. Hong Kong-style milk tea is made by brewing black tea with either condensed milk or evaporated milk.
Milk Tea Recipe
If you want to try adding milk to your tea, here is a simple and delicious milk tea recipe using English Breakfast black loose tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water (8 oz boiling water)
- 2.5 teaspoons Cup & Leaf English Breakfast Black Loose Tea
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 3 tsp honey or simple syrup (or to desired sweetness)
Instructions:
- Bring water to a boil and pour over tea leaves.
- Steep the tea leaves in the hot water for 4-6 minutes.
- Strain out tea leaves.
- Stir in milk and honey/simple sugar.
Recipe Notes:
- For a stronger tea, add an extra half-teaspoon of tea leaves.
- This gluten-free recipe can also be made into a vegan option by using non-dairy milk such as coconut, almond, or soy milk.
- To make iced milk tea, allow the tea concentrate to cool to room temperature, chill in the refrigerator, and serve with ice cubes.
Whether you’re a tea lover or just starting to explore the world of tea, adding milk can open up new and exciting flavors. You don’t need to go to a fancy tea shop to enjoy a delicious cup of milk tea – try our recipe using your favorite black tea leaves and enjoy the creamy and indulgent taste of milk tea.