What is Hokkaido milk tea and How to make Hokkaido milk tea? Find out here!!

Tea, undoubtedly, is one of the most popular and loved beverages of all time and earns a place in our everyday lives. While a few varieties like Assam Tea, Chai, Green Tea have a permanent spot in your pantry, there might be a handful that is yet to be discovered by you, considering the number of teas that exist in the tea world. While all of us are familiar with milk tea and most of us begin our day with a cuppa, let’s go beyond the regular milk tea and explore a little about Hokkaido Milk Tea.

Well, well, if this is the first time you’ve heard about this tea, worry not! We are here to give you a quick tour of this delectable tea. So, stick around till the end of this article to find out more about the tea and also how to make a superb cup of Hokkaido Milk Tea.

What is Hokkaido Milk Tea?

Hokkaido Milk Tea is a tea that is traditional to Hokkaido, a region in Japan that is famous for its dairy production and agriculture. So, now you know where the tea gets its name from. Hokkaido Milk Tea is also known as Royal milk tea or Nidash milk tea. The basic ingredients that go into making the tea are Black Tea leaves along with fresh milk that is predominantly produced in the Hokkaido region and is sweetened using caramel syrup or honey. Sounds delicious already, doesn’t it?

Although Black Tea including Assam and Darjeeling, is traditionally used to make Hokkaido Milk Tea, in the modern tea era, Oolong Tea or Green Tea could also be used as an alternative. The tea is generally consumed hot, but tastes as good when brewed as an iced tea!

Talking about the flavor profile, Hokkaido Milk Tea has an extremely rich and creamy texture. The addition of Black Tea gives the tea a delightful robust texture that blends with the thick, buttery nature coming from the milk. The reason behind the smooth texture is the higher fat content in Hokkaido milk, which is more when compared to other dairies.

Nowadays, Hokkaido Milk Tea can be bought in the form of fresh leaves or Hokkaido Milk Tea powder that is available conveniently in teashops.

How to make Hokkaido Milk Tea?

Now that you know about this tea, let us jump right into a delectable Hokkaido Milk Tea recipe that you can make for yourself in no time!

What you’ll need?

• 1 cup of water
• 2 teaspoons of Black Tea leaves
• ½ cup of Hokkaido milk
• Honey or any sweetener you like
• Tapioca pearls (optional)

Instructions to make the tea

• The first step is pretty easy and standard. Take a saucepan, add a cup of water and bring it to a quick boil. The ideal temperature of the water should be 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once the water has boiled, add in the Black Tea leaves.
• Simmer the tea on low heat for about 2 – 4 minutes. Here, of course, you can adjust the time depending on your desired flavor. The golden rule to remember at this point is, longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor of the tea.
• Once the tea is steeped long enough to suit your taste buds, add Hokkaido milk, the core ingredient. Simmer the tea for about 2 – 3 minutes. Here again, keep the golden rule in mind while steeping.
• Add sugar at this point. Alternatively, if you are using honey, add it right before drinking the tea because honey is usually not cooked or heated. 
• Strain and pour the tea into your teacup. If you are using honey, add a teaspoon of it to the tea. 
• Your warm cup of Hokkaido Milk tea is ready to be served. If you have tapioca pearls handy, drop in a few for that extra texture and taste. 

Note: If you prefer a cold, iced tea version, let the Hokkaido Milk Tea cool down to room temperature. Grab a few ice cubes, pour your tea over it, give a gentle stir, and sip on the tea while relishing every bit of it! You can enjoy a cup of this tea right in the morning to kick-start your day or in the evening to end your day on a good note.

How to make Hokkaido Milk Tea using Hokkaido Milk Tea powder?

What you’ll need?

• 2 scoops of Hokkaido Milk Tea powder
• 2 scoops of creamer powder 
• Sweetener of your choice
• 25 ml hot water
• 150 ml brewed Black Tea 
• Tapioca pearls or toppings of choice

Instructions

To brew Black Tea, you’ll need 200 ml water along with 2 teaspoons of Black Tea Leaves. 

• Add 200 ml of water to a vessel and let it boil. An ideal temperature of boiled water would be around 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Next, add in 2 teaspoons of Black Tea leaves and steep the tea for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Strain and transfer the tea to a container. 

To make Hokkaido Milk Tea…

• Add Hokkaido Milk Powder and creamer powder to a shaker.
• Add in a teaspoon of your desired sweetener. 
• Next, add hot water and stir well, ensuring all lumps are removed, and let the powders dissolve well.
• Add the brewed Black Tea and stir well.
• Drop-in 5 – 6 ice cubes and shake well for 1 – 2 minutes. 
• Pop in the tapioca pearls or any topping of your choice. 
• Transfer the tea to a glass and enjoy!

3 best places to enjoy Hokkaido Milk Tea in Japan

All the tea enthusiasts out there might want to take themselves on a trip to Japan to get their hands on this Royal milk tea, prepared the traditional way. If you ever happen to be in Japan, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this authentic blend. It is indeed a one-time experience for the tea-lovers and we wouldn’t wish for anything but the best for you. We’ve listed below a few places that you can visit to enjoy some Hokkaido Milk Tea.

• Kenyan

Kenyan place happens to be a local favorite. This teashop that’s been in the tea business for quite some time offers not only Hokkaido Milk Tea but also other varieties of milk tea that are all worth a shot.

• Tea Salon Gclef

This teashop tops the list. While Hokkaido Milk Tea is definitely on the menu, they also offer some lip-smacking waffles and teatime snacks that are a perfect accompaniment to the tea.

• Chunsuitan

Chunsuitan has teashops spread all over Japan. They offer countless varieties of beverages and what stands out is the way they prepare the tea. You’ve got to try it out for yourself to know why everyone has only good things to say about this place.

In closing

There’s nothing in the world that can match a perfectly brewed cup of tea. In the tea world, you cannot possibly settle with one kind from the abundant tea collection. Once in a while, don’t hesitate to give yourself a break from the regular tea and experiment with varieties such as Hokkaido Milk Tea. Whether you decide to brew a cup of tea at home by following the recipes mentioned above or try it locally from a teashop in Japan, we are sure you will instantly fall in love with Hokkaido Milk Tea!