Tea is one of the most popular hot drinks in the whole world. What makes tea so great is the fact that it can be made and enjoyed in so many different ways, so it’s incredibly inclusive.
Whether you’re in the mood for black tea, (see also: What Is High Tea?)herbal tea, tea lattes, or anything else, there is a cup of tea out there that you are going to love the most.
If you’ve found your way to this page, you’re probably wondering what milk tea (see also: How To Make Matcha Milk Tea)is, and we have the answers you seek!
We’re going to go over exactly what milk tea is, as well as some popular kinds of milk tea so you can have a better understanding of what it is. So let’s get started!
What Is Milk Tea?
Milk tea might sound like it’s some complicated concoction that is made up of some special milk or something, but it might surprise you to learn that milk tea is just any tea that has milk added to it! It really is that simple!
Most people drink milk tea on a daily basis. If you add any milk to your tea, then it is classed as milk tea.
There are of course, a lot of variations of milk tea, so there may be some versions that you didn’t know were milk teas, (see also: What Is Taro Milk Tea?)but overall, any tea that has had milk added to it is classed as milk tea.
Different Kinds Of Milk Tea
So now you know what milk tea is, let’s take a little look at some of the different kinds of milk tea that are available. Some of these might surprise you, while others may seem obvious!
A Classic British Tea
British people are known for drinking tea with milk, and they will sometimes add a sweetener or sugar to make it taste sweeter.
To drink it in an authentically British way, just make sure that you brew the tea strong and don’t add the milk first! This is the most well-known form of milk tea, and chances are, you’ve probably been drinking it this way already!
Boba Tea
More commonly known as bubble tea, boba tea originated in Taiwan, but in the last decade, it has become popular all over the world.
You can actually make boba tea without milk, but the most popular variation of it usually contains milk or condensed milk.
Boba tea is usually served with ice and it is made with tapioca pearls, which adds flavor. The tea can be black tea, fruity tea, herbal tea, or anything else. Boba tea comes in many different flavors, so you’re bound to find one that you enjoy.
Masala Chai
Masala Chai became popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time the British colonized India and they began growing tea there instead of purchasing it from China.
One of the most popular teas to come from this was Masala Chai.
It is made up of black tea and traditional Indian spices and it tastes absolutely delicious. Masala Chai is most commonly made by steeping the tea in milk, and this is why it counts as a milk tea.
Tea Lattes
Tea lattes are quite young in terms of the history of tea, but they continue to grow in popularity, especially in coffee shops and cafes.
Tea lattes are made using steamed, frothed milk, and they are pretty much made using the same process as coffee lattes.
You can get tea lattes in many different variations and flavors, some of the most popular include chai tea lattes and tea lattes that contain Earl Grey tea.
Hong Kong Milk Tea
Hong Kong milk tea is another kind of black tea that is made using evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk. You can use different kinds of black tea to make it, but the most popular and common choices include Pu-erh or Ceylon.
As the name would suggest, this milk tea originates from Hong Kong and it is believed that it became popular during British colonial rule.
This tea isn’t as popular as classic British tea or Masala chai, but it is starting to gain more popularity around the world, and it is definitely worth trying if you get the chance.
Thai Tea
Made using tea, milk, and sugar, Thai tea (see also: Why Is Thai Tea Orange?)is usually served as iced tea rather than hot and it uses black teas such as Assam or Ceylon. Lots of Thai teas are flavored with an array of ingredients such as star anise, orange, lime, mint, and various spices.
Thai tea is often sweetened with sugar or sweetened condensed milk, (see also: How To Make Brown Sugar Milk Tea)which makes it smoother to drink. Because it uses milk, this means that it is classed as a milk tea.
Hokkaido Milk Tea
This is a unique style of milk tea that originates from the Hokkaido region of Japan. Green tea is a lot more commonly consumed in Japan, but Hokkaido tea is actually made using black tea such as Assam.
In some cases, it is even made using Irish Breakfast tea.
Hokkaido Milk Tea is made using black tea, followed by milk and it is then sweetened using things like brown sugar, honey, or caramel.
Okinawa Milk Tea
Okinawa milk tea is another type of Japanese tea. It is made using black tea, milk, and Okinawa brown sugar.
Okinawa brown sugar has a higher vitamin and mineral count than other versions, and it has a very distinct flavor.
Conclusion
As you can see, milk tea is just black tea that has milk in it. It sounds like it should be something quirky and complex, but most people around the world drink milk tea without actually realizing it!
There are plenty of different types of milk tea out there, so have a look at some of the types we have listed and give them a try for yourself!
