How to Make Japanese Hokkaido Milk Tea
If you're a tea lover and looking for a new and unique flavor to try, consider making this recipe for traditional Japanese Hokkaido milk tea. This tea is known for its creamy and smooth texture, made by combining strong black tea with Hokkaido milk, a type of milk known for its rich and creamy taste. The tea is sweetened with sugar or honey, and an optional touch of vanilla extract is added for an extra flavor boost. This recipe is perfect for those who love a warm and comforting drink, as well as those who want to try something new and exotic. The ingredients are simple and easy to find, and the preparation is straightforward. Hokkaido milk tea can be enjoyed hot or iced, making it perfect for any season or occasion. So why not give this traditional Japanese Hokkaido milk tea recipe a try and experience the delicious and creamy taste of this unique tea today!
Creamy Delights: Homemade Hokkaido Milk Tea Recipe
Indulge in the velvety smoothness of authentic Hokkaido milk tea with this homemade recipe that captures the classic flavors of Japan's beloved beverage.
What is Hokkaido Milk Tea?
Hokkaido milk tea is a traditional Japanese tea made with black tea and milk, usually made with creamy milk from Hokkaido. Hokkaido is Japans second largest island and is famous for it’s dairy farms. Hokkaido dairy farms also produce milk in powdered form to transport to other countries.
Hokkaido milk tea is a type of milk tea that is made by brewing black tea in much less water and more milk. You can add brown sugar, honey and/or caramel if you wish, you can also serve over ice and add boba for bubble tea. Some people add ice cream too.
You can still enjoy Hokkaido milk tea even if you don’t have milk from Hokkaido. I like using soy or oat milk as they are both creamy dairy free milk alternatives. Feel free to use regular milk with a dash of cream or whatever milk takes your fancy.
How is Hokkaido Milk Tea Different From Regular Brewed Black Tea?
When we brew a regular cup of black tea, also known as builders brew, we usually pop the kettle on and steep black tea in water for just a few minutes before removing the tea and adding a dash of milk and sugar. When we make milk tea, we infuse the tea with more milk and less water. This makes the tea more creamy and more latte-like. Hokkaido milk tea is made specifically with milk from a Hokkaido dairy farm.
How Long do you Steep Hokkaido Milk tea?
You can steep Hokkaido milk tea for as little or as long as you like. When making the tea, start by infusing the tea in freshly boiled water for up to 3 minutes. Add your milk, return to the heat and allow to gently steep for a further 3-5 minutes. I would recommend starting at 3-5 minutes and then reducing or increasing the steeping time to suit your taste buds.
For this Hokkaido milk tea recipe, you can use any black tea that suits your taste buds. I would recommend using a strong black tea blend such as an Assam, an Assam blend or an English breakfast tea.
What are Other Types of Milk Tea are There?
There are lots of different ways to make milk tea around the world. Here are some examples of traditional milk teas:
Hong Kong milk tea, boba milk tea, Thai milk tea, masala chai lattes, Okinawa milk tea, tea lattes and not forgetting the classic British builders brew!
What is Okinawa Milk Tea?
Both regions of Hokkaido and Okinawa produce dairy. Hokkaido produces the most dairy and has some of the best grazing conditions for cows which produce high quality milk. Okinawa milk tea is made with bold black tea and milk. Hokkaido milk tea is made with bold black tea and milk from Hokkaido dairy farms. Lipton in Japan produce Royal milk tea which is powdered sachets of famous Japanese milk tea. Some Royal milk teas are Hokkaido milk tea and some are not, all depending on whether they contain powdered milk from Hokkaido or not.
Tips for Making Traditional Hokkaido Milk Tea
Sweetener: You can add extra sweetness to your Hokkaido milk tea by adding caramel, brown sugar, cream and even ice cream.
Flavours: You can also add extra flavours such as fresh vanilla, a dash of rose water or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Milk: You can use any milk for this recipe. I like using creamy dairy free milks such as oat or soy milk with a dash of coconut cream. Feel free to use regular milk and cream or any milk that takes your preference.
Cream: If you want to use coconut cream, use a tin of full fat coconut milk, place in the fridge for at least 24 hours so that the cream solidifies. Scoop out the thick cream and use that thick cream for this recipe.
Tea: I would recommend using a rich and strong black tea such as an Assam, an Assam blend or English breakfast tea. You can even use a masala chai for this Hokkaido milk tea recipe.
Boba: If you want to turn this into a Hokkaido tea with boba. Prepare your milk tea as instructed below, allow to cool slightly add ice, boba (tapioca pearls) and optional cream, sugar and caramel to your glass and pour over your milk tea.
Iced: Hokkaido milk tea can be made hot, warm or served over ice. Once you have made your milk tea, you can allow to cool or pour over a glass of ice to enjoy.
Making Traditional Hokkaido Milk Tea at Home
INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)
2 teaspoons of black tea or 2 tea bags
1/2 cup (4fl oz) of freshly boiled water
2 cups (16fl oz) of milk of choice (regular, oat, soy, almond etc…)
2 tablespoons of cream (regular, soy, coconut etc…) - optional
Brown sugar/honey/maple syrup - optional
1/4 Teaspoon of vanilla extract - optional
METHOD
Firstly, using a small saucepan add your water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and add your tea. Allow to steep for around 3 minutes before adding your milk and placing your saucepan back on a low heat.
Allow the tea to infuse for a further 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove your tea.
Add optional cream, brown sugar or honey and stir to combine all of the ingredients.
Add optional caramel sauce to your cups or mugs and pour over your steeped sweet milk tea.
Alternatively, allow to cool slightly and pour over a large glass of ice for iced Hokkaido milk tea.
Here are some other traditional Japanese tea blogs and recipe ideas that you may like:
Read More Tea Recipes From Around the World
It is important to note that any health advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice.