Brewing MethodsBrewing

How to Brew Tea with Milk: The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Milk Tea

April 21, 2025

6 Mins Read

This guide will walk you through everything you need to make perfect milk tea. We’ll cover the best types of tea to use, step-by-step brewing methods, and tips to customize your cup.

Whether you prefer classic chai or want to try something new, you’ll find the answers here. Ready to upgrade your tea game?

Key Takeaways

• Black teas like Assam and Darjeeling work best for milk tea due to their robust flavors.
• You can brew tea directly in milk by simmering them together for about 10 minutes on low heat.
• The ideal ratio starts at 4 parts tea to 1 part milk, but you can adjust to your taste.
• Whole milk creates the richest flavor, but plant-based alternatives also work well.
• Hong Kong-style milk tea simmers for 30 minutes to 1 hour and contains 272 calories per serving.

What You Need to Brew Tea with Milk

Brewing the perfect cup of milk tea requires specific ingredients and tools. The right combination will help you create a delicious drink with ideal flavor and mouthfeel.

1. Quality tea leaves or tea bags – Black teas like Assam or Darjeeling work best for milk tea due to their robust flavors.
2. Milk options – Whole milk creates the richest flavor, but you can use oat milk, condensed milk, or evaporated milk for different taste profiles. The type of milk affects both creaminess and viscosity.
3. Sweeteners – Sugar, honey, or flavored syrups add sweetness to balance the strong tea base. The amount depends on your personal taste preferences.
4. Tea kettle or pot – A good vessel for heating water or directly brewing tea in milk helps maintain proper temperature throughout the process.
5. Measuring tools – Teaspoons for loose tea (1-2 per cup) and measuring cups for milk ensure the right tea-to-milk ratio for consistent results.
6. Strainer – Essential for loose-leaf tea to separate leaves from your drink after steeping. This prevents a grainy texture in your final cup.
7. Timer – Tracking steep time prevents bitter flavors from over-extraction, especially important when brewing directly in milk.
8. Optional spices – Cardamom, cinnamon, or other spices create variations like masala chai or flavored milk tea blends.
9. Heat source – Stove, electric kettle, or microwave for heating milk or water to the proper temperature based on your tea variety.
10. Mug or teacup – The vessel for enjoying your creation affects both temperature retention and the overall drinking experience.

Now let’s explore the step-by-step process of brewing tea directly in milk to create your perfect cup.

Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Tea Directly in Milk

Brewing tea directly in milk creates a rich, smooth flavor that differs from adding milk to brewed tea. This method works especially well for making traditional chai tea and other milk-based tea drinks.

1. Pour one cup of fresh milk into a small saucepan.
2. Add one heaping teaspoon of loose tea leaves or one tea bag to the cold milk.
3. Place the saucepan on low heat and warm the mixture gently.
4. Stir the mixture often to prevent the milk from forming a skin on top.
5. Allow the milk and tea to simmer for about 10 minutes, but never let it reach a full boil.
6. Add sugar to taste while the mixture is still hot.
7. Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer if you used loose leaves.
8. Pour the milk tea into your favorite mug and enjoy it hot.
9. Adjust the tea-to-milk ratio as needed, starting with 4 parts tea to 1 part milk.
10. Try different types of tea such as Assam black tea, breakfast blends, or chai spice mixes.
11. Test various kinds of milk including whole milk, half-and-half, or plant-based options.
12. Monitor the color change from white to a caramel shade as the tea steeps.

Now that you know how to brew tea directly in milk, let’s explore some expert tips to perfect your milk tea technique.

Tips for Perfecting Your Milk Tea

Perfect milk tea requires attention to detail and quality ingredients. Black teas like Assam or Ceylon create the strongest base for traditional milk tea, while oolong offers a more subtle flavor.

The type of milk matters too – full-fat milk produces a richer cup compared to skim options. For extra richness, try Hong Kong-style milk tea which simmers whole milk, sugar, cream, and salt until thickened (30 minutes to 1 hour), creating a luxurious texture with 272 calories per serving.

Sweeteners transform your tea experience dramatically. Sugar works well for basic sweetness, but honey adds floral notes and maple syrup brings warmth. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger can lift your milk tea to new heights.

The brewing time affects strength – steep black tea for 5 minutes in simmering water, then let it rest another 10 minutes for full flavor development. Strain carefully to remove all tea particles for the smoothest drink.

Each cup becomes a personal creation reflecting your taste preferences.

Conclusion

Brewing tea with milk opens up a world of rich flavors that water alone cannot create. You now have all the tools to craft your perfect cup, whether you prefer strong Assam with a splash of milk or a full-bodied chai simmered directly in creamy dairy.

Try different tea types and milk varieties to find your ideal match. The beauty of milk tea lies in its flexibility – adjust ratios until you discover your personal favorite. Your tea journey doesn’t end here – each cup offers a chance to refine your technique and explore new taste combinations.

For more insightful tips on tea brewing, check out our detailed guide How to Brew the Best Tea.

FAQs

1. What is the best type of tea to use for milk tea?

Assam tea and Earl Grey work great for milk tea because they have strong flavors that blend well with milk. Indian chai is another excellent choice, especially when you want a spiced flavor profile. Green tea can also make a refreshing milk tea, though its delicate taste may get lost if you add too much milk.

2. When should I add the milk to my tea?

Add the milk after steeping the tea in hot water. This allows the tea to develop its full flavor first. British tea drinkers often debate this point, but adding milk last lets you control how much you’re using based on the tea’s strength.

3. Can I make bubble tea at home?

Yes, you can make boba tea at home by cooking tapioca balls and adding them to your milk tea. Simmer the tapioca for 5 minutes until soft, then mix with your favorite milk tea recipe for a delicious cup of bubble tea.

4. What kinds of milk work best for milk tea?

Regular cow’s milk works well for most tea types, but you can also use evaporated and condensed milk for a richer taste. Half milk and half water creates a balanced flavor, while plant-based milks offer lighter alternatives that won’t overpower the flavor of the tea.

5. How long should I steep tea for milk tea?

Steep black teas like Assam for 3-5 minutes before adding milk. Herbal teas such as rooibos may need longer steeping times of 5-7 minutes. The tea should look dark and smell fragrant when ready for milk.

6. Can all teas be enjoyed with milk?

Not all teas taste good with milk. Green tea and yerba mate often taste better without milk or with just a splash. Delicate teas from the camellia sinensis plant may lose their subtle notes when milk is added. Matcha is an exception that blends beautifully with milk.

References

1. https://www.teabloom.com/blog/how-to-brew-tea-with-milk/?srsltid=AfmBOoqBZxkbrJHupmcNwSp_8Y0gL9QQw7YQ93scGnewXmMw_HXZMDIt (2018-06-22)
2. https://www.myteadrop.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-milk-tea?srsltid=AfmBOop8Kbr-h1raOK0cK8ayHWaLDUMihdsDdB30kl1BRlRNIU8O0Wk-
3. https://theteahouseonlosrios.com/blogs/news/how-to-mix-tea-with-milk-a-step-by-step-guide?srsltid=AfmBOopBhTmmsHxG64pgwvUmBy6ZGnBWNi7laVbFEwob4sEb–MZkqjv (2024-02-21)
4. https://www.thekitchn.com/milk-tea-recipe-23612343 (2024-01-18)
5. https://cupsnchai.com/blogs/how-to-make-milk-tea/