Japanese Milk tea recipe: Royal Milk Tea (ロイヤルミルクティー)
Royal Milk Tea, known as ロイヤルミルクティー in Japan, is a beloved beverage that’s easy to recreate at home using Assam or Darjeeling black tea leaves and milk. Adjust the sweetness with sugar or maple syrup to suit your preferences. Enjoy it hot or iced, or get creative by using the regular milk tea as a base for boba milk tea! This quintessential Japanese drink is widely enjoyed whether you’re at a Japanese market, convenience store, or savoring a cup from a vending machine. Its delightful combination of tea and milk makes it a perfect choice to share during tea time with friends or to simply savor on your own.
Experience the indulgent taste of Japanese Royal Milk Tea with this delightful recipe that combines the bold richness of black tea with the creamy smoothness of milk. Originating from Japan, Royal Milk Tea has captured hearts worldwide with its luxurious flavor and comforting qualities.
This recipe showcases the perfect harmony of robust Assam or Darjeeling tea leaves brewed to perfection, complemented by the velvety texture of whole milk. Sweetened to taste with sugar or honey, this tea delivers a nuanced blend of flavors that is both soothing and invigorating. Whether served piping hot on a chilly day to warm the soul or over ice for a refreshing twist, Japanese Royal Milk Tea offers a versatile and satisfying beverage for tea enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Elevate your tea experience at home with this easy-to-follow recipe that promises to transport you to a cozy corner of Japan with every blissful sip.
In this Royal Milk Tea recipe we’re covering
- What is the famous Japanese milk tea
- What is Japanese milk tea made of
- What does Japanese Royal Tea taste like
- Royal Milk tea recipe
- How to make Japanese Milk tea recipe
- The best tea for Japanese Milk tea
- Royal Milk tea tips and tricks
- How to make Royal milk tea boba tea recipe
- How to store Royal Milk Tea
- Japanese milk tea FAQ
What is the famous Japanese milk tea
One of the most famous and beloved versions of Japanese milk tea is known as “Royal Milk Tea” (or 紅茶, kōcha, in Japanese). This creamy and comforting beverage has a strong following in Japan and beyond. It typically features a blend of black tea, such as Assam or Darjeeling, brewed to a robust intensity. The tea is then combined with milk, often whole milk for its richness, and sometimes sweetened with sugar or honey to taste.
Royal Milk Tea is enjoyed both hot and cold, making it versatile for any season or preference. It’s a staple in Japanese cafes, vending machines, and households, offering a soothing and satisfying drink that pairs well with snacks or enjoyed on its own as a comforting treat. Its popularity extends beyond Japan, with variations and adaptations found in tea shops and homes worldwide, appreciated for its smooth texture and delightful blend of flavors.
What is Japanese Milk Tea Made Of?
Japanese Milk Tea, also known as Royal Milk Tea, is a beloved beverage that combines the richness of black tea with the creamy goodness of milk. The key ingredients include:
– Black Tea: Typically, robust varieties like Assam or Darjeeling are used for their strong, malty flavors that stand up well to milk.
– Milk: Traditionally, whole milk is preferred for its creamy texture and smooth taste. However, you can also use alternative milks like soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk for a vegan or lactose-free option. Plant-based milk is great for creating a creamier texture that also has great health benefits.
– Sweetener (Optional): Sugar or honey may be added to sweeten the tea to taste. This enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing the slight bitterness of the tea with a touch of sweetness.
To prepare Japanese Milk Tea, the tea leaves are brewed in hot water, then combined with heated milk to create a luxurious, comforting drink. Whether enjoyed hot to warm up on a chilly day or served over ice for a refreshing treat, Japanese Milk Tea offers a delightful fusion of flavors that appeals to tea enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Its versatility and soothing qualities make it a favorite in Japanese cafes and households, providing a moment of relaxation and enjoyment with every sip.
What Does Japanese Royal Milk Tea Taste Like?
Japanese Royal Milk Tea is a delightful blend that offers a rich, creamy experience with every sip. Imagine the robust flavor of black tea, typically Assam or Darjeeling, perfectly balanced with the smooth, velvety texture of milk. The tea provides a strong, malty base, while the milk adds a sweet, mellow richness that rounds out the flavor beautifully.
With each cup, you’ll enjoy a comforting warmth and a hint of sweetness that can be enhanced with a touch of sugar or honey. Served hot, it’s like a cozy hug in a cup, perfect for relaxing moments. As an iced beverage, it’s refreshing and invigorating, with the cold milk complementing the deep, earthy tones of the tea.
Whether you’re savoring it on a chilly morning or cooling off with it on a hot afternoon, Japanese Royal Milk Tea offers a versatile and satisfying taste experience that’s both elegant and accessible. Give it a try, and let its deliciously balanced flavor transport you to a place of pure enjoyment.
Royal Milk tea recipe
Experience the luxurious taste of Royal Milk Tea, a beloved Japanese beverage that combines the rich flavors of black tea with the creamy smoothness of milk. This delightful drink is perfect for any time of day, offering a comforting warmth when served hot and a refreshing coolness when enjoyed iced. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create this exquisite tea in your own kitchen, making every sip a moment of indulgence.
Royal Milk tea Ingredients
- Water: 1 cup (240 milliliters) or 1 regular-sized teacup 100% filled, plus more hot water to warm the teacups.
- Black Tea Leaves: 3 heaping teaspoons (about 9 grams); use Assam for a dark-colored tea or Darjeeling for a lighter tea.
- Milk, regular or vegan milk: 1 cup (240 milliliters) or 1 regular-sized teacup 100% filled.
- Maple syrup, Sugar or Honey: Optional, to taste.
How to make Japanese Milk tea recipe
How to Make Japanese Royal Milk Tea: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients. My regular-sized teacups hold approximately 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid each, so I use them to measure both water and milk for this recipe.
2. Boil the Water: Pour 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water into a milk pot or small saucepan. Cover and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add Tea Leaves: Once the water boils, stir in 3 heaping teaspoons (about 9 grams) of black tea leaves.
4. Simmer the Tea: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the tea simmer for 1½ to 2 minutes. For iced royal milk tea, simmer the leaves slightly longer to create a stronger tea that will hold up to the dilution from the ice.
5. Heat the Milk: Add 1 cup (240 milliliters) of milk to the pot and slowly bring it just to a simmer. Meanwhile, pour hot water into your serving teacups to keep them warm. Drain the water before serving the tea. Tip: If you know how much sugar you’d like, add it to the pot now to dissolve before serving.
6. Finish the Tea: When the tea is about to boil, remove it from the heat.
7. Strain and Serve: Drain the hot water from the teacups. Pour the tea through a tea strainer or fine-mesh sieve into your pre-warmed teacups.
How To Serve Royal Milk Tea
– Sweeten your tea with sugar or honey to taste. Enjoy it with homemade Matcha Cookies, Black Sesame Cookies, or Strawberry Mochi. This tea also makes a wonderful base for Boba Tea.
How To Store milk tea
– While it’s best to make this tea fresh, you can store leftover milk tea in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a day. Reheat using a microwave or a saucepan for the best flavor. Enjoy your delicious and comforting Japanese Royal Milk Tea!
The best tea for Japanese Milk tea
The Best Teas for Royal Milk Tea: Choosing the right tea for Royal Milk Tea is essential to achieving that perfect blend of richness and flavor. The most popular choices include Assam for its bold and malty notes, Darjeeling for a lighter, more delicate taste, and Ceylon for its well-balanced, citrusy profile. Each of these teas offers unique qualities that, when combined with milk, create a luxurious and satisfying drink. Experiment with these top teas to discover your favorite version of this classic, creamy delight.
1. Assam Tea: Known for its bold flavor and rich, malty notes, Assam tea creates a deep, robust base that pairs wonderfully with milk.
2. Darjeeling Tea: Often referred to as the “champagne of teas,” Darjeeling offers a lighter, more delicate flavor with floral and fruity undertones, perfect for a subtler milk tea. The floral aroma is the best choice for a fragrant version of the popular milk tea.
3. Ceylon Tea: With a well-balanced flavor profile that is both brisk and citrusy, Ceylon tea adds a refreshing twist to milk tea, making it a versatile choice.
4. Keemun Tea: A type of Chinese black tea, Keemun is slightly smoky and fruity, providing a unique depth of flavor when combined with milk.
Dark teas
5. Earl Grey Tea: Infused with bergamot oil, Earl Grey’s distinctive citrus aroma and flavor make it an interesting variation for milk tea lovers.
6. English Breakfast Tea: A blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas, the typical English Breakfast tea is strong and full-bodied, making it a classic choice for a hearty milk tea.
7. Japanese Black Tea: While not as common, Japanese black teas such as Benifuuki offer a mild and smooth taste that complements milk well, bringing a local touch to the beverage. You can adjust the amount of sugar to give the delicious beverage a sweeter taste.
More tea you can use to make this popular drink:
– Indian Chai tea: a delicious twist to the traditional Japanese tea. Add a higher ratio of milk for an extra creamy tea and give the sweet drink a twist by adding boba pearls to the popular Japanese drink.
– Green tea: make a pot of your favorite hot tea like the gentle flavor of tea like a fragrant Jasmin tea.
– Oolong tea: a delicious tea that works great for both hot tea and iced tea. It’s a terrific choice for making a creamy Hong Kong milk tea.
These teas each bring their own unique characteristics to Japanese milk tea, allowing you to customize your drink to your taste preferences.
Vegan Okinawa milk tea options
Suggested Plant Milks for Royal Milk Tea
– Oat Milk: Creamy and slightly sweet, oat milk complements the earthy notes of tea and creates a smooth, rich texture. It’s the perfect non-dairy creamer to make a beautiful teacup of creamy milk tea.
– Almond Milk: With a light, nutty flavor, almond milk pairs well with tea, adding a subtle sweetness.
– Soy Milk: Known for its creamy consistency and neutral taste, soy milk is a great option that blends seamlessly with tea. Soy milk has the same creamy richness of milk and is a great choice for this easy recipe.
– Coconut Milk: For a tropical twist, coconut milk adds a unique flavor and creamy texture, enhancing the tea’s richness.
– Cashew Milk: Smooth and rich, cashew milk offers a mild, buttery flavor that complements the tea nicely.
– Rice Milk: Light and slightly sweet, rice milk provides a thinner consistency for those who prefer a less creamy texture in their tea.
Each of these plant-based milks brings its own unique flavor and texture, making them excellent choices for a vegan-friendly Royal Milk Tea.
Royal Milk tea tips and tricks
Helpful Tips for Making Perfect Royal Milk Tea
– Pre-warm Your Cup: To keep your tea at the ideal temperature, pre-warm your serving cup with hot water before adding the tea.
– Measure with Your Teacup: Use the same teacup for measuring both water and milk. This reduces the number of dishes you need to wash and ensures perfect proportions.
– Avoid Overcooking the Tea Leaves: Be careful not to over-steep the tea leaves, as this can result in a bitter flavor.
– Watch the Milk Closely: When adding milk, stay attentive and do not leave the stove, as milk can quickly boil over if unattended.
– Stronger Tea for Iced Versions: If you’re making iced royal milk tea, steep the tea leaves a bit longer to ensure the flavor remains robust even after the ice is added.
How to make Royal milk tea boba tea recipe
Transform Your Milk Tea into Boba Tea in a few easy steps!
For fans of boba milk tea, you can easily elevate your freshly brewed royal milk tea by adding tapioca pearls (also known as boba or tapioca balls). Simply prepare the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions and mix them into your royal milk tea for a delightful bubble tea experience that rivals your favorite tea shop!
How to store Royal Milk Tea
1. Refrigerate: After brewing, allow the Royal Milk Tea to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for the best flavor.
2. Reheat: To enjoy your stored Royal Milk Tea warm, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from scorching. Alternatively, you can use a microwave. Heat it in short intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches the desired temperature.
3. Iced Option: If you prefer iced Royal Milk Tea, store the tea concentrate without milk in the fridge. When ready to serve, add ice cubes and fresh milk to maintain the creamy texture and flavor.
4. Avoid Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze Royal Milk Tea, as the milk can separate and change texture when thawed.
Following these steps will help ensure that your Royal Milk Tea remains fresh and delicious, whether you enjoy it hot or cold.
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Japanese milk tea FAQ
Japanese Milk Tea typically uses robust black teas such as Assam or Darjeeling. These teas provide a strong flavor that pairs well with milk.
Yes, you can substitute traditional dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk for a vegan or lactose-free version.
Sweetness can be adjusted to taste by adding sugar, honey, or maple syrup during the brewing process. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve your desired sweetness.
Yes, you can brew a larger batch of Japanese Milk Tea and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove or enjoy it cold over ice when ready to serve.
Japanese Milk Tea can be served hot, poured into pre-warmed cups for added comfort, or served over ice for a refreshing twist. It’s also commonly used as a base for bubble tea or boba tea.
Yes, since it uses black tea leaves, Japanese Milk Tea contains caffeine. The amount can vary depending on the type and strength of the tea leaves used.
While loose tea leaves are traditionally used for Japanese Milk Tea for a stronger flavor, you can use tea bags if preferred. Adjust the number of tea bags based on the strength of tea you desire.
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Royal Milk tea recipe: easy Japanese Milk tea
Ingredients
Royal Milk tea Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) Water 240 milliliters or 1 regular-sized teacup 100% filled, plus more hot water to warm the teacups.
- 3 heaping teaspoons Black Tea Leaves about 9 grams; use Assam for a dark-colored tea or Darjeeling for a lighter tea.
- 1 cup (240ml) Milk regular or vegan milk (1 regular-sized teacup 100% filled)
- 2 teaspoons Maple syrup Sugar or Honey: Optional, to taste.
Instructions
How to Make Japanese Royal Milk Tea: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients. My regular-sized teacups hold approximately 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid each, so I use them to measure both water and milk for this recipe.
- Boil the Water: Pour 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water into a milk pot or small saucepan. Cover and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add Tea Leaves: Once the water boils, stir in 3 heaping teaspoons (about 9 grams) of black tea leaves.
- Simmer the Tea: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the tea simmer for 1½ to 2 minutes. For iced royal milk tea, simmer the leaves slightly longer to create a stronger tea that will hold up to the dilution from the ice.
- Heat the Milk: Add 1 cup (240 milliliters) of milk to the pot and slowly bring it just to a simmer. Meanwhile, pour hot water into your serving teacups to keep them warm. Drain the water before serving the tea. Tip: If you know how much sugar you’d like, add it to the pot now to dissolve before serving.
- Finish the Tea: When the tea is about to boil, remove it from the heat.
- Strain and Serve: Drain the hot water from the teacups. Pour the tea through a tea strainer or fine-mesh sieve into your pre-warmed teacups.
Notes
- While it’s best to make this tea fresh, you can store leftover milk tea in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a day. Reheat using a microwave or a saucepan for the best flavor. Enjoy your delicious and comforting Japanese Royal Milk Tea!
