2025-03-21
Hong Kong-style milk tea, also known as Silk-Stocking Milk Tea, is a beloved beverage that has gained global popularity. Its rich, creamy flavour and distinct aroma make it a must-have on the menus of many restaurants and cafes in the city. However, creating an authentic cup of Hong Kong-style milk tea requires several crucial components, such as the right tea leaves, the right milk, the traditional recipe and, sometimes, even specialised equipment like a milk tea brewer or machine to elevate its taste.
The article explores Hong Kong-style milk tea and the types of tea used in it. We’ll also introduce the recipe and tool for you to learn how to make the most authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea.
Hong Kong-style milk tea is one of the Hong Kong intangible cultural heritages that is known for its bold, robust flavour and smooth texture. It is a common and traditional beverage that is available for ordering in many Hong Kong restaurants. Compared to other types of milk tea, this particular type requires the tea leaves to be brewed in hot water for a longer period. This process can help extract a full flavour from the tea leaves and create a concentrated brew. Combined with evaporated milk that can add to its sweetness, a rich and creamy mixture can be formed.
The type of tea used in Hong Kong-style milk tea is typically blended black tea. However, using Ceylon black tea as the base would be the best choice. This type of tea is particularly celebrated for its bold, brisk flavour, which can vary depending on the region of Sri Lanka that grows it. Usually, it offers the scent of citrus while boasting subtle hints of floral and earthy notes.
Ceylon black tea is generally divided into different grades according to flavour and colour. For Hong Kong-style milk tea, a combination of Ceylon tea leaves, such as Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP), Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning (BOPF), and Dust, is usually a preferred blend. It offers not only aroma, colours, and richness but also a delightful complexity that allows the tea to stand up well against the creaminess of evaporated milk in the milk tea, creating a balanced and rich beverage that is both flavourful and satisfying.
While Ceylon tea is an integral element of Hong Kong-style milk tea, other black teas, such as Kenyan black tea, can serve as flavourful alternatives or can sometimes be blended into the mix to add depth and complexity. Some Cha Chaan Tengs, also known as tea restaurants, in Hong Kong add Chinese tea to the milk tea to enhance the flavour and create a smoother texture. However, this milk tea cannot be called as “Ceylon tea”.
To make a cup of authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea, follow these steps:
For any business looking to streamline the brewing process and ensure consistent quality for their Hong Kong-style milk tea offerings, consider using a specialised milk tea brewer like the BUNN Milk Tea Brewer or the K-Pot Milk Tea Brewer. These machines are designed to efficiently brew large batches of milk tea, making them ideal for commercial use.
The BUNN Milk Tea Brewer features advanced technology that allows for precise temperature control and brewing time, making it easy and faster to brew a big batch of tea every time. Meanwhile, the K-Pot Milk Tea Brewer also mimics the traditional "pulling" technique to replicate hand-brewed milk tea.
Explore the range of BUNN and K-Pot milk tea brewers to find the perfect machine for your business. With the right equipment and a passion for crafting delicious beverages, you can create unforgettable Hong Kong-style milk tea experiences for your customers.
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