What Ingredients Make Up Earl Grey Milk Tea?

If you want to make a delicious cup of earl grey milk tea, you need just a few simple things. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:

  • Earl Grey tea bags
  • Boiling water
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Regular milk or any milk you like
  • Sugar or your favorite sweetener
  • Optional: a splash of vanilla or boba pearls

You get a smooth drink with hints of citrus and floral notes. Try different milks or sweeteners to make it your own!

Key Takeaways

  • Earl Grey milk tea needs only a few things: Earl Grey tea bags, hot water, sweetened condensed milk, and any milk you like. – Try using different kinds of milk and sweeteners to make a special taste that you enjoy. – Make sure to use the right steeping time and temperature to get the best taste from your Earl Grey tea.

Ingredients for Earl Grey Milk Tea

When you make earl grey milk tea at home, you only need a handful of ingredients. Let’s break down each one so you know exactly what to use and how to make the best cup possible.

Earl Grey Tea Bags

You can’t have earl grey milk tea without the tea itself! Earl Grey tea is famous for its bold black tea base and a hint of citrusy bergamot. For one serving, you’ll want to use one tea bag. If you’re making more, just add one tea bag per cup. Here’s a quick guide:

Serving SizeTea Bags Needed
11
22

You can use different types of Earl Grey, like Keemun, Ceylon, or Darjeeling. Each one brings its own flavor twist to your cup of earl grey tea with milk.

Tip: Some regions love to use bold Earl Grey tea for a stronger taste, especially in boba or bubble tea versions.

Boiling Water

Water might seem simple, but it makes a big difference in your milk tea. The right temperature helps you get the most flavor from your tea bag. Check out this table for the best steeping temperatures:

Tea BaseOptimal Temperature (°C)Steeping Time
Keemun Earl Grey90-953 minutes
Ceylon Earl Grey90-953 minutes
Darjeeling Earl Grey85-903 minutes

The type of water you use also changes the taste. Here’s what you should know:

  • Hard water (lots of minerals) can make your tea taste sharp or metallic.
  • Soft water (few minerals) might make your tea taste flat.
  • Water with a medium to high mineral content gives your earl grey with milk a fuller, rounder flavor.
  • People often prefer tea made with mineral-rich water because it tastes better.
  • Distilled water can make your brewed tea taste lifeless.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Sweetened condensed milk is what gives earl grey milk tea its creamy sweetness. For one cup, add about 2 tablespoons. This ingredient is rich and thick, so you don’t need much to get a lot of flavor.

  • Each tablespoon adds about 60-70 calories, so keep that in mind if you’re watching your intake.
  • Even a small amount can make your milk tea taste much richer.

If you want to try different ingredients and substitutions, you can swap out sweetened condensed milk for other options, but nothing matches its classic creamy taste.

2% Milk or Non-Dairy Milk

You can use 2% milk, whole milk, or any milk of choice. If you prefer non-dairy, you have lots of options:

Each milk of choice brings a different texture and flavor. For example, soy milk has a delicate taste that pairs well with the citrus notes in earl grey tea with milk. Some people like the richer feel of 2% milk, while others enjoy the lighter taste of oat or almond milk. This is where you can really play with ingredients and substitutions to make your perfect cup.

Sugar or Sweetener

Sweetener is optional, but most milk tea recipes include it for extra flavor. The average recipe uses about 3 tablespoons of brown sugar syrup, but you can adjust this to your taste.

If you want a lower-calorie drink, try these popular sugar substitutes:

Sugar SubstituteKey Characteristics
SteviaCalorie-free, 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, plant-based
Xylitol40% fewer calories than sugar, low glycemic index, plant-based
Agave NectarLower glycemic index than sugar, natural sugar alternative

You can use any sweetener you like, or skip it if you want your earl grey tea with milk less sweet. This is another spot where ingredients and substitutions let you make the drink your own.

Note: In some countries, people love to add chewy boba, creamy half and half, or even simple syrup to their earl grey milk tea for a unique twist.

Now you know the essential ingredients for earl grey milk tea. With just a few simple items, you can make a cozy cup of earl grey with milk at home. Try different milk tea recipes and experiment with your favorite ingredients and substitutions to find your perfect blend!

How to Make Earl Grey Milk Tea

Ready to learn how to make earl grey milk tea at home? You’ll find it’s easier than you think! Here’s a simple guide that walks you through each step.

Steep the Tea

  1. Start by boiling fresh, filtered water. Pour it over your Earl Grey tea bag or loose leaf tea in a cup or teapot.
  2. Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes. This brings out the bold flavor and citrus notes. If you want a stronger taste, go for the full 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the tea bag or strain the leaves. Don’t let it sit too long, or your milk tea might taste bitter.

Tip: Using loose leaf tea gives you a richer flavor in your earl grey tea with milk.

Add Milk and Sweetener

  1. Warm your milk of choice—whole milk, almond, oat, or soy all work well. Heating the milk helps prevent curdling when you mix it with hot tea.
  2. Pour the warm milk into your cup. Add sweetened condensed milk or your favorite sweetener, like brown sugar syrup or honey.
  3. Stir gently. You’ll see the tea turn creamy and smooth.
Milk TypeTextureFlavor Pairing
Whole MilkRich & silkyClassic
Oat MilkSmoothNutty
Almond MilkLightDelicate

Mix and Serve

  1. Give your earl grey tea with milk a final stir to blend everything together.
  2. If you want an iced version, pour the tea over Earl Grey ice cubes for extra flavor.
  3. Serve right away and enjoy your homemade milk tea!

Remember, don’t add too many extras. You want the natural taste of earl grey milk tea to shine!

Earl Grey Bubble Tea Variations

If you want to take your earl grey bubble tea to the next level, you have lots of fun options. You can add chewy boba, try different milks, or top your drink with something special. Let’s see how you can make your own unique version of this tasty milk tea.

Tapioca Pearls

Tapioca pearls, or boba, give earl grey bubble tea its classic chewy texture. Here’s how to make earl grey bubble tea with boba at home:

  1. Boil 480 ml of water for every 32 grams of tapioca pearls.
  2. Add the pearls and stir until they float.
  3. Lower the heat and cook for 12-15 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, cover, and let them sit for another 12-15 minutes.
  5. Drain and place the pearls in a bowl. Pour sugar syrup over them and let them cool.

Once you have your boba ready, just add them to your earl grey tea with milk. You now have a real earl grey bubble tea!

Alternative Milks

You can swap out regular milk for something new in your bubble tea recipe. Oat milk works well because it keeps the flavor balanced. It won’t hide the taste of earl grey milk tea. Almond milk is another good choice. It has a mild flavor and a lighter texture, so your earl grey bubble tea feels smooth and refreshing. Try to avoid coconut milk, since it can cover up the taste of your earl grey tea latte.

Optional Toppings

Want to make your earl grey bubble tea even more special? Try these toppings:

  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • A drizzle of vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed cookies
  • A sprinkle of cinnamon

You can also add a splash of vanilla extract to your earl grey tea latte for extra flavor. Every topping lets you make your milk tea your own. With so many choices, you can create a bubble tea recipe that fits your taste. Have fun and see which version of earl grey bubble tea you like best!

You only need a few ingredients to make earl grey milk tea at home. Check out this simple table:

IngredientMeasurement
Earl Grey Tea Bags2 bags
Milk1 cup
Sugar1 cup
Water1 cup

You can find everything for your milk tea drink at most grocery stores. Earl Grey tea comes in many brands, so you have lots of choices. Try new toppings or milks and make your own version!

FAQ

Can I use loose leaf Earl Grey tea instead of tea bags?

Yes, you can use loose leaf tea. Just measure one teaspoon per cup. You’ll get a richer flavor and more aroma.

What’s the best non-dairy milk for Earl Grey milk tea?

Oat milk works great. It keeps your drink creamy and lets the tea flavor shine. Almond milk gives a lighter taste.

Tip: Try different milks to find your favorite!

How do I make Earl Grey milk tea less sweet?

Use less sugar or skip sweetened condensed milk. You can add a sugar substitute like stevia. Taste as you go to get it just right.

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