Brew your own Hong Kong milk tea
Thank you for picking up our limited edition CHA DONG tea pouch, lets brew together! Your tea pouch contains a blend of black tea leaves - these are our unique blend of tea leaves used to brew Hong Kong milk tea.
Whilst our bottled teas are brewed using a traditional, UNESCO recognised process, this can take up to 45 minutes a pot, and we know that this can be tricky without the right equipment or time.
Our specialty blend has been designed so that everyone can give this a go and enjoy their own milk tea at home. Whether it's your first taste of Hong Kong or you're already a seasoned milk tea drinker, we hope you enjoy this experience.
Scroll down for the recipe details below.
Brew your own Hong Kong milk tea
What makes Hong Kong milk tea so special?
A traditional cup of Hong Kong milk tea is known for it's 5 distinctive features - the colour, fragrance, flavour, smoothness and aftertaste. All of this together creates a beautiful drink that's deep and aromatic without the bitterness from an oversteeped tea.
There's a reason why this is known as Hong Kong's most popular beverage, and a drink that's loved all around the world.
Hong Kong style tea base recipe
Use this recipe to prepare the tea base for your Hong Kong style milk tea, lemon tea and yuen yeung (coffee x milk tea)
Ingredients
Specialty blend tea leaves by CHA DONG
Water
Method
-
Boil 200ml of water in a small saucepan.
-
Add 2 heaped teaspoons of CHA DONG tea leaves to boiling water. Stir gently to release the aroma.
-
Reduce to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes. You’re aiming for small, steady bubbles - not a rolling boil.
-
Turn off the heat and cover with a lid. Steep for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to fully develop.
-
Your Hong Kong style tea base is now ready to use.
Hong Kong style milk tea
Ingredients
130ml (approx) Hong Kong style tea base
15-20ml Evaporated milk (or your choice of unsweetened milk)
Sugar, to taste
Method
-
Add evaporated milk until the tea base reaches a rich, golden brown colour (as per the photo). Adjust to your preferred strength.
-
Sweeten to taste with sugar. Stir well and enjoy!
Hong Kong style lemon tea (hot)
Ingredients
100ml Hong Kong style tea base
150ml Hot water
Lemon, 3 thick slices
Sugar, to taste
Method
-
Combine the hot water with the Hong Kong style tea base
-
Add the lemon slice to the tea
-
Gently press down on the lemons with a spoon to release the juice and pulp
-
Sweeten to taste with sugar. Stir well and enjoy!
Tips & notes:
-
In cafes, a sugar syrup is typically prepared for cold drinks
-
For an iced version: dissolve sugar in just enough hot water, then follow the recipe and top with chilled water and ice cubes.
Made one of these drinks? We would love to see your creations! Please share and tag us @chadongofficial
