Milk tea
Milk tea is a beverage made by adding milk to brewed tea, resulting in a diverse array of preparations that vary by culture, region, and personal taste. The types of tea used—ranging from black to green, or even herbal—and the proportions of milk can differ significantly, leading to unique local variations. Popular additions include sweeteners like sugar or honey, as well as ingredients such as tapioca pearls, especially in bubble tea, a Taiwanese specialty. Milk tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, with well-known varieties including Teh Tarik in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong-style milk tea, which features strong black tea and condensed milk. Historically, the practice of adding milk to tea has roots in various cultural traditions, including the British custom of pouring milk into delicate china to prevent cracking, and the Indian masala chai, which blends tea with spices and milk. The global tea market has seen substantial growth, with milk tea gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in urban settings where street vendors offer their own unique takes on the drink. The bubble tea market alone has been valued in the billions, highlighting the beverage's widespread appeal and cultural significance.
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Milk tea
Milk tea is tea with milk added to it. The proportion of milk to tea varies by culture, region, and personal preference. The type of tea brewed and the origin of the milk may also vary considerably. Milk tea is frequently served with other additions, often sweeteners such as sugar or honey, as well as tapioca pearls or other ingredients. It may be served hot or cold. In 2021, the global tea market was valued at almost $107 billion. It was projected to top $161 billion by 2028.
Overview
Tea plants and brewing of leaves to make a beverage originated in China about 2737 BCE. Legends say some leaves from a Camellia sinensis tree blew into water being boiled for Chinese emperor Shen Nung. As an herbalist, he was curious and tasted it, finding it enjoyable. From there, tea drinking spread to other parts of Asia. Japanese Buddhist monks who studied in China took it home with them.
Historians believe that tea was introduced to Tibet in the 700s. It became immensely popular among the royals and nobles. Milk and sugar were added to provide nutrition and ease hunger pangs. The beverage did not reach Europe until late in the sixteenth century, when Dutch traders introduced Chinese tea to Holland. Tea was fashionable but expensive, so it remained a drink of the wealthy. Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza introduced tea to Britain when she married Charles II in 1662. As a setter of trends, her love of tea soon spread among the royal court, the upper classes, and the wealthy.
Tea also became a national favorite in India. Masala chai, a spiced milky beverage, was enjoyed in India for thousands of years before tea was introduced to the country during the nineteenth century. It soon became a staple, and modern masala chai almost always is milk tea flavored with spices.
Milk may have been added to tea to disguise poor quality tea leaves or even tea adulterated with other substances to boost profits. Traditional tales claim that the British poured milk into their delicate porcelain cups before adding steaming hot tea to protect the china from cracking. The high price of black tea was an important factor in using milk, sugar, and spices for flavor in masala chai.
Some teas, such as black tea, contain high levels of tannins. These can cause bitterness and astringency. Milk binds with tannins and improves the flavor. Many breakfast tea blends are made extra strong because milk is expected to be added to them.
Many varieties of milk tea have been developed. These include hot and cold beverages, which may be made with any variety of tea including black, green, or white as well as herbal teas. A tea latte is sweetened or unsweetened tea, to which steamed or frothed milk is added. Boba, or bubble tea, is a Taiwanese favorite, usually served cold and sweet with the addition of spices, such as turmeric, and tapioca balls. The turmeric gives the tea its orange color. Large tapioca pearls are added to the beverage. Hong Kong–style milk tea is strong black tea, usually served hot with the addition of condensed or evaporated milk. Builder’s tea began as a traditional workers’ beverage of hot, strong black tea with plenty of milk and sugar for energy.
Tea is such a strong cultural tradition in many communities that it is sold on streets. Favorite versions of milk tea have seen tremendous growth. The bubble tea market, for example, was valued at $2.63 billion in 2024.
Bibliography
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