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Hokkaido tea, Milk tea, Milk tea with boba, Boba milk tea, Bubble tea, Hokkaido Milk Tea

Hokkaido milk tea is a creamy black tea based drink popular in Japan. This recipe uses brewed black tea, Hokkaido milk, and tapioca pearls. This drink is sweet and rich, perfect as an afternoon treat or as an ending to a meal. The addition of boba makes this fun drink filling enough to be enjoyed as a light snack or tasty dessert.

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Why we love this recipe

  • Creamy and refreshing, this drink is easy to make and fun to share!
  • The addition of boba adds a great texture as the pop in your mouth.
  • Super simple to prepare in just 5 minutes!
  • Can be enjoyed warm on a cool fall day, or cold as a refreshing summer drink.
Hokkaido tea, Milk tea, Milk tea with boba, Boba milk tea, Bubble tea, Hokkaido Milk Tea

What is Hokkaido milk tea

Hokkaido milk tea is a hot or cold milk based beverage that contains brewed black tea, sugar, and in this case, tapioca pearls. Usually this recipe is made with special Hokkaido milk from Japan which is renowned for its creamy, delicious flavor.

Brewed black tea is mixed with creamy milk, sugar syrup, and softened boba for a fun, refreshing and comforting drink. This authentic Japanese beverage can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Hokkaido milk tea shares many similarities with Okinawa milk tea. Both use black team, milk and sweeteners, but both also make use of specific and unique local ingredients. Hokkaido milk tea specifically uses hokkaido milk, while okinawa milk tea uses a special okinawa brown sugar.

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Hokkaido tea, Milk tea, Milk tea with boba, Boba milk tea, Bubble tea, Hokkaido Milk Tea

Variations to try

This recipe is easily customizable from different types of milk, to different sweeteners.

Sweeteners – This recipe can be made with the brown sugar syrup used here, or sweetened with honey, maple syrup, sugar, or alternative sweeteners.

Milk –  Hokkaido milk is needed for an authentic milk tea, but instead you can use whatever milk you have available.

Dairy Free – For anyone avoiding dairy, try using your favorite dairy free milk alternative such as nut milk or other plant based milk.

No Boba – Some love boba, some hate it. The choice is your, feel free to make this milk tea without any tapioca.

Tips

Here are some quick tips to master this recipe.

  • Make the brown sugar syrup in a larger batch. It’s easier to make in large batches and save until you need it.
  • Don’t let the sugar burn, you want to cook it just until the sugar dissolves and the texture is similar to syrup.
  • Allow the tapioca to soften fully before adding it to the milk tea.
  • For cold brew milk tea, let the brewed black tea cool completely before mixing in cold milk. For hot milk tea, add the milk to the hot tea and heat until it’s warmed through.
  • Check an Asian specialty store for Hokkaido milk. If you can’t find it there is also Hokkaido milk powder you can use.

Leftovers

This recipe is so quick and easy, it’s best made fresh. You can prepare a larger batch of brown sugar syrup and store in the fridge until ready to use. Allow the syrup to warm and soften before use.

Cold brew Hokkaido milk tea can be made 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge ready to enjoy.

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Hokkaido tea, Milk tea, Milk tea with boba, Boba milk tea, Bubble tea, Hokkaido Milk Tea

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Hokkaido Milk Tea

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Hokkaido milk tea is a creamy black tea based drink popular in Japan. This recipe uses brewed black tea, Hokkaido milk, and tapioca pearls. This drink is sweet and rich, perfect as an afternoon treat or as an ending to a meal.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup black tea of choice, prepared, hot or cold
  • ¼ cup boba or tapioca pearls, white or black, prepared
  • ¼ cup fresh Hokkaido milk, add more if desired
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup water

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Instructions

  • Start by preparing the brown sugar syrup. Add brown sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and heat until the sugar has fully dissolved and has a syrup-like consistency.
  • Prepare the tapioca pearls according to the instructions on the bag. Once softened, mix the pearls with the brown sugar syrup. This will keep them from sticking together.
  • Prepare the black tea. Mix in the hokkaido milk until well combined.
  • Add the brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls and combine well.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg

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