Hokkaido Milk Tea

This Hokkaido milk tea is quick, easy and delicious. Hokkaido black milk tea is quickly growing in popularity and is extra fun with the additional of tapioca boba pearls. Black tea, brown sugar syrup and powder or fresh Hokkaido milk make this drink a star!

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If you have never tried Hokkaido milk tea, you are in for a treat! This creamy and delicious drink bring rich undertones of vanilla and caramel and is complimented by the complexity of the black tea and sweet brown sugar syrup.

Service this delicious milk tea with a side of Matcha Brownies or Mayak Eggs and you are in for a real treat!

You might have heard of Japanese bubble tea or boba milk tea. This exciting variation is made by adding boba or tapioca pearls. Sort of like a drink and a snack all in one! Don’t forget to check out this delicious Taro Milk Tea!

Why this recipe works

• This Hokkaido black milk tea is a unique and delicious. Perfect to serve with breakfast, brunch or as an on-the-go drink for an energy boost (caffeine in the back tea!)
• Japanese milk tea can be served hot or cold. You can also add boba or tapioca pearls to make Japanese Bubble/Boba Tea.
• If you cannot find fresh Hokkaido milk, you can use Hokkaido milk powder or any milk of choice, such as whole milk (technically not Hokkaido milk tea but still delicious!).

Ingredients

Black Tea: You can use any black tea of choice. You can use tea leaves (loose leaf) or tea bags

Boba/Tapioca Pearls: I recommend purchasing easy to cook boba or tapioca pearls (prepared). Preparing the boba takes less than 10 minutes with this method. You can also make homemade boba if you are feeling ambitious.

Hokkaido Milk: If you can find fresh Hokkaido milk at your local grocery store or Asian specialty store that is my favorite way to prepare this recipe. Alternatively, if you cannot locate fresh Hokkaido milk, you can use Hokkaido Milk Powder (start with about 1 tablespoon for this recipe and add additional to your taste).

Brown Sugar Syrup (Brown Sugar and Water): I recommend brown sugar syrup or demerara syrup for this recipe. You can also use any alternative sweetener of choice if you prefer, such as white sugar, raw sugar, honey or agave.

How to make Hokkaido milk tea

Hot Brewed Tea

1. Prepare black tea.
2. Add Hokkaido milk and warm.
3. Add brown sugar syrup. See preparation instructions below.
4. Add boba pearls if desired. See preparation instructions below.

Cold Brewed Tea

1. Prepare black tea. Allow to cool fully.
2. Add cold Hokkaido milk.
3. Add brown sugar syrup (fully cooled). See preparation instructions below.
4. Add boba pearls if desired. See preparation instructions below.

Brown Sugar Syrup

1. Prepare brown sugar syrup before making boba pearls.
2. In a saucepan, combine equal parts water and brown sugar and cook on medium/high heat until the sugar is fully dissolved and you have a syrup consistency.

Boba Pearls/Tapioca Pearls

1. Prepare quick cook boba/tapioca pearls according to directions on the package.
2. Once prepared, mix then with brown sugar syrup so they do not stick to each other.

How to Serve

1. Place boba pearls in glass with sugar syrup.
2. Add ice if desired.
3. Add black tea and Hokkaido milk. Stir and enjoy.

What is Hokkaido milk tea?

Hokkaido milk tea, also known as Japanese milk tea (Japan milk tea) or Japanese bubble tea, is a combination of black tea, a sweetener such as brown sugar syrup or honey and fresh Hokkaido milk (you can use powdered Hokkaido milk but fresh is preferred).

Hokkaido milk is milk from the Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido. It is one of the highest quality milks from Japan with vanilla and caramel undertones and creamy rich taste.

Some variations of Hokkaido black milk tea contain boba or tapioca pearls.

What does Hokkaido milk tea taste like?

Hokkaido milk tea uses black tea which can have a smoky, earthy or nutty taste depending on the tea used, as well as creamy milky richness with vanilla and caramel undertones.

The tea is complimented by a gentle sweetness from the brown sugar syrup (or sweetener or choice) and is complimented by the optional additional of boba pearls or tapioca pearls (popular in bubble tea).

Hokkaido vs Okinawa milk tea?

Hokkaido milk tea is typically made with black tea. It also contains a sweetener such as brown sugar syrup or honey and uses milk from the Hokkaido prefecture of Japan.

Whereas, Okinawa milk tea uses a special brown sugar made in Okinawa. This unique brown sugar, also known as kokuto, is made by cooking down pure sugarcane juice which yields a sugar with nuanced nutty toasted flavor.

FAQ and expert tips

Looking for other delicious Asian recipes?

• Tobiko Sushi
• Spicy Crab Roll
• Alaska Roll
• Sashimi

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