If you're looking to tone down your tea, you might want to know which teas take milk in the first place. Some are going to be a great fit, and some are going to be a bit off for some people.
And then some teas have no business mixing with milk, which we all need to be aware of.
So let's start with the teas that do take milk, and then briefly go through the ones you should never add milk to.
Table of Contents
So which teas go with milk ?
Bold, malty flavors go very well with milk.
This means black teas, almost all of them, so very well with a dash of milk, and even a bit of sugar.
Then there are the teas that contain the right type of flavor, the nutty, buttery, caramel-like teas. So, almost any rooibos tea will go very well with milk.
And finally, chai (heavily spiced teas) do take a bit of milk, since they're so strong-tasting they need a bit of milk to balance them.
So there you go. There's 3 main types of tea out there that take milk, and they're not that hard to find. Of course, you can try them with and without milk, so you can figure out which you like best.
Now let's get into a bit more detail, since not all versions of the teas I mentioned above go well with milk.
1. Black teas are great with milk, much like coffee
Black teas are a great candidate to mix with milk, or to mix milk into, since they have such a strong flavor.
Especially Assam teas, which are often the strongest black teas.
This is very true for plain black teas. So breakfast tea are great with milk, much like coffee is.
Black teas also contain caffeine, which means you can realistically replace your morning coffee with black tea. It's not going to give you as big of a jolt like a cup of coffee, but you'll be much more focused and alert, without the jitters.
Back to black milk, in its most plain version, it's got a strong, malty, slightly nutty flavor. It can be hard to drink by itself, so many people choose to add milk and sugar to this tea.
As for the black tea versions that are blended with fruits, I do not recommend adding milk. That being said, that's very much a personal preference.
For me, the mix between fruits and milk flavors doesn't sit very well. So for example, and Early Grey should not contain any milk, as far as I'm concerned.
Though I've met people who do add just a dash of milk to that tea blend.
Black tea with floral notes is much like the black with fruit notes, so again, I don't recommend adding any milk. But you're still welcome to try it out, you might find out you like it.
What I do think goes great with milk is black tea blended with flavors that go naturally well with milk. Like hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, any kind of nut actually.
A perfect example is this one by The Republic Of Tea. They've got a wonderful black tea, blended with vanilla and almonds. This is a combination that's going to go great with milk. Any milk, anything you throw at it's going to work great because of the vanilla.
You can find the listing for this tea on Amazon, right here.
It's a loose leaf tea and comes in a 3.5 oz/100 gr package. This means it'll brew anywhere between 40 to 60 cups of tea, depending on how much tea you use per cup.
Personally, I'd try and make milk tea out of this one, since the flavor combination is just delicious.
2. Rooibos teas blend their sweetness with milk
Rooibos teas are very, very different from black tea. They're not from the same plant, and they have a very different taste.
Rooibos teas are fairly sweet on their own, and kind of don't need anything else. They're not overly sweet, but they're not harsh.
They resemble a sort of caramel in taste, and are very pleasant to smell.
Adding milk to a rooibos tea is going to go great, as I've tried this with plain rooibos too. As long as you don't overdo the milk, you'll have a nice, creamy finish to your tea.
One of my favorite blends is rooibos with bits of caramel, and a hint of vanilla. Of course, that all goes very well with milk, and is something we brew almost every day in autumn.
As with black tea blends, rooibos blends that go well with milk often include chocolate or cocoa nibs, vanilla, caramel, nuts, toffee, and anything else along those lines.
Fruity or floral blends aren't very common with rooibos teas. But if you do have one, I doubt it would go well with milk. Look at the fruits/flowers your tea is blended with. Would it taste good with a sip of milk ?
If you use that as a guideline, you'll be fine.
Here's an example of a nice rooibos that's blended with a flavor that goes well with milk: gingerbread.
Yes, this is gingerbread rooibos tea, and it's by The Republic Of Tea. It comes in the form of teabags, and it's a large bag - 250 teabags for you to enjoy.
You can find the listing for this tea on Amazon here.
Adding any bit of milk is going to be a great addition to this flavor. Not only is rooibos naturally sweet and caramel-like, there's some nice ginger and cinnamon flavor as well.
I'm thinking this could make a very tasty latte.
3. Many chai teas get a splash of milk too
Chai teas a beautiful way to enjoy spices, and not be overwhelmed by all of them.
Any and all chais are very bold in flavor, and often spicy. that's great, and it's something hat's going to sit well with milk.
You see, the dash of milk will keep the spices' taste but cut down on the heat/spiciness. Which means you'll be able to enjoy the flavor of cinnamon and black pepper, without too much heat coming from them.
A great chai tea is this one by Vahdam. It's a loose leaf tea that's got serious flavor and will hold up very well to any amount of milk you can throw at it.
Since it comes in loose leaf form, you can make the tea as weak or as strong as you like and it'll still come out great. Just remember that chai tends to be a little on the spicy side.
You can find the listing for this tea on Amazon right here.
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What kind of milk can you add to tea ?
What about the milk you can add to tea ? Well, you can add pretty much any kind of milk you like, with a caveat.
Do not add creamer or high-fat milk.
3.5% milk is alright, but go much more above that and your tea will taste gross.
This is because tea is much 'thinner' than fat milk or cream. It would be overpowered by the richness of the cream, and be hard to drink in the first place.
Adding too skimmed a milk is also a poor idea, since it mostly just waters down your drink.
So 0.1% milk is pretty much like adding water, and most of the milk flavor is gone.
You can read much more about which milk is best to add to tea here, and you'll find both dairy and vegan options in that article.
Which teas should you never add milk to ?
Some teas out there can't take any milk at all. Knowing which teas these are is going to save you a lot of trouble when picking out the next tea box to bring home. Or even what to order off a menu.
Green tea loses its properties if you add milk
Green tea is notorious for being astringent and harsh tasting, especially of brewed wrong.
It's meant to have a grassy, grape-like taste. But it's not a tea that will ever go well with milk.
Never mind the green tea lattes or matcha lattes some companies offer. While milk would technically help green tea taste better, it actually will not.
It also cancels out many of the benefits of pure green tea or matcha.
Oolong is too complex for milk
Oolongs are a wonderful tea type, but they don't go well with milk at all. They'r something of a blend between green tea and black tea.
Actually they're green tea leaves that were processed almost as much as black tea leaves.
This means they will retain part of that green flavor, and still be a poor decision to add milk to.
Also take into account that oolongs are very complex teas, and they have more flavors that you can identify in the first few sips.
No point in ruining or muting those flavors with milk.
If you're drinking oolong tea and feel the need to add something to it, then you probably don't like oolong teas, or bought a low quality one.
Pu'er is great on its own
Pu'er tea is another example of tea that does not go well with milk.
This is because it's a sort of dry, fermented type of tea. It matures over years and years, and adding milk will again ruin the flavor.
Some Pu'er teas are designed to obtain a nutty flavor, so you might be tempted to add milk.
If you do add any, make sure it's just a bit, in a separate cup. It might not go as well as you think.
White tea should have no milk or sugar added at all
White eta is a very delicate and fine tea. It's the kind of tea you need a well developed palate for, otherwise it tastes fairly bland or watery.
Once you're able to distinguish its different flavors and appreciate how delicate it is, you'll also notice milk has no business with it.
It can be overpowering in every way for white tea, and there is nothing to counter it.
No malt, no nutty flavor, no bitterness, nothing.
IF anything, white tea is a bit floral and would actually clash with milk.
Can you add milk to herbal teas ?
Yes and no. AS in, it's completely up to you, however I would advise against it.
Not all herbal teas are okay with milk. For example jasmine tea, or pine bud tea, or mint tea would be horrible with milk.
However, sweeter, balmier herbal teas probably would.
Like for example chamomile, daffodil, even valerian root would be nice to mix with milk.
I've never added milk to herbal teas, since I saw no reason for it. But if you'd like to pioneer this, then by all means try it out.
It might turn out that some herbal teas go great with milk, but no one's tried it before. You might discover something others overlooked.
Final thoughts
Whether you add milk to your tea or not, I hope you keep an open mind, and are willing to try things out.
Some teas are terrible with milk even when you utter the idea. Then some other teas leave room for guess.
I for one have never added milk to anything other than rooibos and black teas, and found that green tea should never contain milk.
If you want to know more about coffee or tea, feel free to check the related articles below. Who knows what else you might find ?
FAQs
What tea goes best with milk tea? ›
Black tea is the most popular tea to use for milk tea. There are also other kinds of tea that are also commonly used for making milk tea in Taiwan, such as green tea, jasmine green tea, oolong, earl grey, barley tea, etc.
What tea is sweet with milk? ›Indian Spiced Milk Tea, commonly known as masala chai or chai tea, is a blend of tea, spices, sugar, and milk. Finally, consider Thai milk tea. It is a combination of tea, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk, as well as a little sugar.
Can you mix any tea with milk? ›Any bold black tea would be a good candidate for adding milk, but we recommend that all teas should be tasted without any additives first, to get a good idea of the flavor. If after tasting you decide to add milk, great! You should enjoy teas any way you like them. But be sure to taste them without milk first.
What goes well with milk? ›- Chocolate chip cookies and milk. Shutterstock. ...
- Donuts and milk. Shutterstock. ...
- A PB&J with a tall glass of milk. ...
- Fruit and milk smoothies! ...
- A hot bowl of chili and a fresh glass of milk. ...
- Cinnamon rolls dunked in milk. ...
- Grilled cheese sandwich, with a side of milk. ...
- Milk and cereal.
In general, never add milk to Japanese green teas or oolong as it is too complex. White teas are also too delicate. Fruit teas are tricky as they're strong enough, but the sweetness is sharp, resulting in a sour taste when combined with milk.
Does chamomile tea taste good with milk? ›Yes! By using milk instead of water as your base, the flavors from the tea steep into the milk and provide that flavorful chamomile tea latte. Instead of just sipping on tea, you will be enjoying a simple evening snack since the milk provides protein and carbohydrates.
Is jasmine tea good with milk? ›Jasmine Green tea is perfect for this recipe because it is a very strong-flavored, bright tea that holds up well with milk. Here are a few important notes for making this bubble tea: Stir the honey with the tea before adding the milk and ice. It's very difficult for honey to dissolve in cold temperatures.
What makes milk tea taste better? ›People say that brewing mothers' milk tea does not taste that good. So to make it better you can add mother's milk to your regular tea. Or you can add sugar or honey to sweeten the tea. Another way to enhance the taste is to use apple cider in your tea or you can go with lemon juice.
Is Earl GREY tea good with milk? ›The short answer is that you can drink Earl Grey with milk if you do it correctly. And yes, it's delicious. Keep reading to learn how to properly prepare a cup of Earl Grey with milk.
Is peppermint tea good with milk? ›You may drink some herbal teas with milk as well. Rooibos, chamomile and even peppermint may all be served with milk. Peppermint tea may taste delicious with almond or coconut milk, while rooibos can be served with almost any type of dairy or dairy free milk.
Is chai tea good with milk? ›
Chai is traditionally brewed with milk in India but that's the great thing about Real Chai, you can brew it the way YOU like it. It contains only spices and tea, so if you prefer not to use milk simply leave it out for a delicious black tea version. I personally love to use Soy Milk in my chai over dairy milk.
What does milk tea do to your stomach? ›Drinking tea, especially milk based tea can make you feel nauseated, this is due to the presence of tannins, which irritates the digestive tissue and leads to bloating, discomfort, stomach ache.
Which Flavour is best with milk? ›- Cinnamon and/or Vanilla Milk. Pour a ½-1 teaspoon of vanilla into a glass of milk and stir. ...
- Banana Milk. One quick flavored milk to make with a blender is banana milk. ...
- Blueberry Milk. ...
- Strawberry Milk. ...
- Vanilla Mint Milk.
Do not club citrus or acidic foods (Sour fruits like berries, orange, pineapple, papaya) should be avoided with milk. Milk usually takes longer to digest, and when combined with sour or acidic items, can cause heartburn or lead to the formation of gas in the body. Some people are lactose intolerant too.
Can any tea be milk tea? ›Even though any tea can be used to make milk tea, bold, robust black tea works best if you're using half & half and brown sugar.
What can you not mix with chamomile tea? ›Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): Chamomile may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin.
What tea is good with milk and honey? ›Honey milk tea is a mouth-watering treat that is made by combining black, green, or oolong tea with honey and milk to create a creamy sweet beverage perfect for any time of the day. This drink is popular in many parts of the world and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Can you put honey in tea with milk? ›Do you put milk in tea with honey? You can, but it's not necessary. If you do choose to add milk, we recommend doing so after the tea has steeped and the honey has been added. This will prevent the milk from curdling.
Who should not drink jasmine tea? ›Summary Jasmine tea is generally safe, but people who are sensitive to caffeine or those at risk of iron deficiency may need to watch their intake.
What does jasmine tea with milk taste like? ›Jasmine milk tea is creamy, floral, and delicately sweet. Try this version made with dairy-free milk and boba for a fun and unique drink!
What does oolong milk tea taste like? ›
Milk Oolong tea is a Taiwanese tea known for its creamy and buttery taste. Real Milk Oolong tea provides a sweet flowery scent and a taste of sweet butter and milk through gently roasted and rolled tea leaves.
What is the best selling milk tea flavor? ›Black Milk Tea or Hong Kong Milk Tea
Without a doubt, this is the most popular boba tea flavor. Being the all time classic and one of the first flavors of bubble tea, it's safe to assume that it's super easy to create this drink for yourself at home too.
The answer is: In a formal setting, milk is poured after the tea. You may have heard or read that milk precedes the tea into the cup but this is not the case. You do not put milk in before tea because then you cannot judge the strength of the tea by its color and aroma.
Is tea better with water or milk? ›Tea can brew in milk (or pretty much any other liquid)
All steeping really does is transfer the goodness from the tea leaf to the water (or other liquid). Water just happens to be the preferred liquid due to its neutral taste and abundance in modern society.
Given its delicacy, the porcelain would often crack due to the high water temperature. Therefore, people started adding milk to cool down the cup. Another popular theory is that milk was used to balance the natural bitterness of tea, giving it a smoother, more delicate flavour.
Is Earl Grey best with milk or lemon? ›Traditionally, Earl Grey tea is served with a slice of lemon and sugar to taste. According to YouGov, a massive 85% of British Earl Grey and English breakfast tea drinkers enjoy their tea with milk. In the US, they like to add milk and sugar to their Earl Grey tea.
What is Earl Grey with milk called? ›What is a London Fog? It is a hot tea drink that is made with earl grey black tea and vanilla. It is topped with frothed milk which is where the “fog” name comes from. There are other fog-named drinks with slight variations to the recipe depending on the location.
What black tea to use for milk tea? ›Since the brewed tea will be diluted in flavor from the milk, sweetener, and ice, you want a bold and robust tea. I recommend using Assam, Chinese breakfast tea (Chinese black tea), or Ceylon.
What is the best combo of bubble tea? ›- Black Milk Tea With Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearls.
- Taro Milk Tea With Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearls.
- Happy Strawberry Tea With Kiwi Popping Bobas.
- Raspberry Fruit Tea With Mango Popping Bobas.
- Matcha Tea With Strawberry Pieces.
- Vanilla Milk Tea With Blueberry Pearls.
The short answer is that you can drink Earl Grey with milk if you do it correctly. And yes, it's delicious. Keep reading to learn how to properly prepare a cup of Earl Grey with milk.
What flavor is classic milk tea? ›
What Does Classic Milk Tea Taste Like? The classic milk tea is a classic for a reason: it's sweet, creamy, and absolutely delicious! The flavor combination of black tea with the creaminess and sweet molasses of brown sugar is an amazing combination everyone should try at least once!
What is classic milk tea? ›Classic Milk Tea
The one that started it all. Black tea is shaken with frothy milk, crushed ice, and a few generous handfuls of marble-sized, caramelized tapioca pearls. There are versions with different milks and various teas, but the classic still satisfies.
Black Milk Tea or Hong Kong Milk Tea
Without a doubt, this is the most popular boba tea flavor. Being the all time classic and one of the first flavors of bubble tea, it's safe to assume that it's super easy to create this drink for yourself at home too.
Best Snacks for Tea
For example, simple finger sandwiches with fresh bread, light creamy cheese or avocado and salmon are a great choice, especially with green tea. Fruit salads go well with lighter white, oolong or green teas. Scrumptious scones with clotted cream go very well with traditional black tea blends.
You can't go wrong with a honeydew milk tea, taro milk green tea, chai tea, jasmine milk tea or matcha milk green tea. One thing to note, some boba shops have customizable menus that include soy, almond or whole milk. Otherwise, many boba shops carry a non-dairy creamer.
Does boba go in milk tea? ›The classic “boba milk tea” order is a black tea with milk and boba. Some drinks, however, stray away from the conventional green and black tea base. Taro milk tea, another popular choice, is made from the tropical taro root.
What is the best boba flavor for kids? ›What's the best flavor of bubble tea for kids? Any fruit flavored boba teas are the best for kids. This includes strawberry boba tea, mango, peach and dragon fruit. If they're not into fruit, then brown sugar or salted caramel are also great boba tea flavors for children!
What is the healthiest topping for bubble tea? ›Choose a Grass Jelly Topping
The best part is that 15g of grass jelly only contains around 15 calories, whereas you're looking at a couple of hundred calories for a serving of tapioca pearls. Whilst the slippery texture can take getting used to, you will be able to enjoy your drink keeping its consistency for longer.
Tea Addicts' Zheng recommends Hokkaido milk tea with egg pudding. The caramel, milky flavor of the drink mixed with the creamy texture of the topping makes for a sweet beverage.
Is oolong tea good with milk? ›Oolong tea can be consumed mixed with a dash of milk and holds many benefits as well. From weight loss to skin rejuvenation, milk oolong tea is a South Asian delicacy that is milky, with a creamy taste and the right zing of caffeine.
What is earl grey with milk called? ›
What is a London Fog? It is a hot tea drink that is made with earl grey black tea and vanilla. It is topped with frothed milk which is where the “fog” name comes from. There are other fog-named drinks with slight variations to the recipe depending on the location.