Hokkaido Milk Tea

During the spread of the milk tea trend worldwide, Hokkaido milk tea is among the well-loved flavors. The boom of this sweet, refreshing beverage may have started in Taiwan, but Japan created its own twist by adding a crucial ingredient: Hokkaido milk.

What is Hokkaido milk tea?

Hokkaido milk tea is a richly-flavored drink with black tea as its base. It is mixed with Hokkaido milk and a sweetener (can be honey, brown sugar, or caramel). As long as you have these ingredients, you can create your very own Hokkaido milk tea. Adding tapioca pearls is optional.

Assam is usually used to make this drink. But others ditch the black tea and make it with oolong leaves because of the fruity and floral notes.

If you don’t find this flavor on the menu, then it’s likely listed under a different name. That’s because Hokkaido milk tea is also called Nidashi milk tea or royal milk tea.

Hokkaido milk is known for its rich, creamy taste, gentle vanilla flavor, and high-fat content (with 3.6% whole milk as the common type). Its distinctive qualities make it a perfect mix with black tea. The milk is sourced from cows that graze on the lush pastures of Hokkaido, the second-largest island in Japan. The cows are raised in a stress-free environment, ensuring the quality of their milk.

What does Hokkaido milk tea taste like?

Hokkaido milk is both creamy and sweet. The bitter, earthy note coming from the black tea balances the indulgent flavor of Hokkaido milk and sweetener.

The good news is that you can adjust the sweetness level of this beverage and add your preferred toppings. Aside from boba pearls, you can also put typical milk tea ingredients including jelly, egg pudding, and cream cheese.

Hokkaido milk tea is a delicious and refreshing drink that is sure to satisfy those with a sweet tooth.

Hokkaido Milk Tea vs. Regular Milk Tea

Although Hokkaido milk tea and regular milk tea both use a black tea base, the main difference is the milk they use. 

Regular milk tea is the generic term that refers to a shop’s original blend. It uses regular milk which is mixed with black tea along with sugar or other sweeteners. Shops mostly add dairy milk. But there are other non-dairy choices such as soy milk and almond milk. The final result will depend on the type of tea and milk. Hokkaido milk tea is a step up from regular milk tea as the milk used has a distinct creamier taste.

What is the difference between Hokkaido and Okinawa milk tea?

Kokuto: Okinawa milk tea’s main ingredient.

All the ingredients of the Hokkaido milk tea are the same as the ones found in Okinawa milk tea, except for one: the sweetener. 

The Southern island of Okinawa has a special black/brown sugar called kokuto. It is healthier than the common brown sugar you can easily purchase. Kokuto is made through a unique process that keeps the flavor while maintaining its vitamins and minerals. In other words, it’s a healthier option. So if you’re looking for a healthy choice among milk tea flavors, Okinawa milk tea is highly recommended.

Some shops use whole milk when making the drink. As long as it has kokuto as its sweetener, you can still taste the unique sweetness of Okinawa milk tea.

Hokkaido Milk Tea vs. Brown Sugar Milk Tea

Believe it or not, brown sugar milk tea isn’t tea based. That is what makes it different from Hokkaido milk tea, which always uses black tea. Brown sugar milk tea only combines boba tapioca cooked in brown sugar and milk.

Brown sugar milk tea is the specialty of the Taiwanese dessert chain brand Tiger Sugar. It gained instant popularity among milk tea drinkers, so other brands followed suit and started offering their very own take on brown sugar milk tea.

How to Make Your Own Hokkaido Milk Tea at Home

Making Hokkaido milk tea at home is easy. Since it’s a popular milk tea flavor, you’ll likely find Hokkaido milk powder being sold online. If you’re in Japan, go with fresh Hokkaido milk for an authentic experience.

The best thing about this drink is that you can enjoy it hot or cold. Make it your hot drink in the morning to give you an energy boost. Then drink it cold in the afternoon or in the evening if you need something to keep you refreshed when it’s hot out.

Hokkaido Milk Tea Ingredients:

Black tea or oolong. Here are some black tea types you can use:

• Assam
• Earl Grey
• Darjeeling
• English breakfast tea
• Hokkaido milk tea powder
• Sweetener. Any of the following:
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Caramel

Warm Hokkaido Milk Tea Instructions:

1. Brew the black tea. Steep according to preference.
2. Add some Hokkaido milk according to the package instructions. Then warm it up.
3. Add your preferred sweetener.
4. To make brown sugar syrup, mix equal parts of sugar and water. On medium/high heat, cook until dissolved.
5. If desired, add some boba pearls.

Cold Hokkaido Milk Tea Preparation:

If you bought a pack of Hokkaido milk powder, create a mixture of water and milk first. Keep it in the fridge for later use.

1. Brew your tea. Steep the leaves longer if you want a stronger flavor.
2. Add the now-cold Hokkaido milk.
3. Add your preferred sweetener.
4. Boba pearl preparation:
5. Cook the boba pearls according to package instructions.
6. To make it ready for milk tea use, cook the prepared boba pearls in brown sugar syrup to keep them from sticking to each other.

How to Serve Hokkaido Milk Tea:

1. Start by adding boba pearls and sugar syrup to your glass.
2. Pour the milk tea mixture you’ve prepared beforehand.
3. If you’re going for cold milk tea, add some ice. 
4. For those who own a shaker: Put the ice and milk tea in it and shake. Then pour it into the glass with the boba pearls.

Conclusion

It’s so easy to see why many people enjoy Hokkaido milk tea. On top of having a creamy and rich flavor, it’s a versatile beverage too! Make many servings at home and share this sweet, indulgent treat with your family and friends!

Check out our ZenPop Snack Box to find some of Hokkaido's best flavors!