The Story of Milk Tea
During the 13th century AD, Genghis Khan's army traveled to the southern region of the Yangtze River after years of warfare on the northern prairie. However, the unfavorable water and soil conditions caused many soldiers to suffer from debilitating diarrhea, which threatened their combat abilities. Fortunately, an enigmatic black withered herb was discovered in an idyllic farmhouse nestled in Anhua's mountains. This herb, when steeped in warm broth, provided immediate relief to afflicted soldiers, leading to the discovery of Anhua black tea.
Military scholars have suggested that Black tea was one of Geng Khan's mystical weapons in his quest to conquer Eurasia. This tea had remarkable properties that could alleviate gastrointestinal ailments and acclimatization challenges during his campaigns. Legend has it that his warriors brought back the tradition of drinking tea, and it is still a cherished tradition today in the western borderlands.
The Origin of Milk Tea
In the 16th and 17th centuries, during the colonial era of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, milk tea was discovered as a longstanding beverage tradition in regions such as Himalayas India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other areas nestled at the foothills of this majestic mountain range. Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia also boast a rich history of indulging in milk tea. While tea-producing nations like India and Sri Lanka can sustain themselves with their own raw materials for this delightfulction, Xinjiang and Mongolia have greatly benefited from the advent of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. This legendary route originated from ancient times' trade between horses and tea along China's southwestern frontier and encompasses three main routes: Shaanxi-Gansu road; Shankang-Tibet road - connecting Sichuan province with Tibet extending further into Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and India until finally reaching West Asia as well as East Africa's Red Sea coast.
Types of Milk Tea
Exploring the specific classifications of milk tea can be beneficial as the utilization of raw materials varies based on diverse eating habits in different regions. This an intricate connection among various milk tea types. The realm of milk tea offers a myriad of flavors, including grassland, Indian, continental, Hong Kong-style, and British milk tea.
Grassland Milk Tea
Grassland milk tea, which is also known as salty, is a highly sought-after beverage in the highland nomadic regions of China, including Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet. This tea is a unique blend of pure milk and tea leaves that is prepared by boiling and mashing the tea leaves with milk and a moderate amount of salt. The resulting flavor is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and culinary traditions of the region, as it is influenced by the local culinary customs and geographical conditions. Not only does this exceptional blend of pure milk and tea offer a delicious taste, but it also provides significant nutritional value. Therefore, it is no surprise that grassland milk tea is a popular drink in highland areas of China, where it is enjoyed for its unique and savory flavor and its cultural significance.
Chai Tea
India is famous for its diverse culture and tea-making techniques. The north prefers the "boil" method, while the south prefers the "pull" method.
Masala chai, a popular Indian drink, is renowned for its bold and spicy flavor and has its roots in the southern part of India. The infusion of aromatic ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper, and anise gives Indian chai its distinct aroma and robust spiciness. This infusion of spices has had a significant impact on milk tea globally, with Karak tea in the Middle East and flavored milk tea in Southeast Asia having a strong influence from Indian chai. Indians enjoy adding a plethora of spices to their chai, and the more spices added, the more elevated the flavor becomes.
Indian tea-making techniques are integral to Indian culture and have greatly influenced the global tea industry. The infusion of spices in Indian milk tea is unique and has inspired various milk tea beverages worldwide, making Indian milk tea popular and a testament to the country's cultural heritage.
Continental Milk Tea
The two primary constituents of Continental milk tea are Dutch milk tea and English milk tea, which were brought to Europe following the colonization of India in the seventeenth century. It is worth noting that Europeans are not known for producing tea and are not accustomed to consuming milk tea. However, they adapted the Indian milk tea by reducing the quantity of spices and incorporating maple syrup to enhance its.
Dutch milk tea is known for its strong milk flavor and mellow taste, which is a reflection of the Dutch love for dairy products. On the other hand, English milk tea has a lighter taste and is associated with the aristocrats. It is the star of the famous British afternoon tea.
Hong Kong Milk Tea
Hong Kong-style milk tea has a fascinating history that dates back to the colonial era. During the British colonization of Hong Kong, the introduced their style of milk tea to the locals. However, the taste of British milk tea was relatively light, which prompted the Hong Kong people to improve upon it. They did so by using Ceylon black tea, which is also known as Sri Lankan black tea, and crushing it before filtering it through a stocking. This unique filtering process is also the origin of the name stockings milk tea. After filtering the tea, evaporated milk is added to it. The entire process involves six steps, which include fishing tea, brewing tea, baking tea, bumping tea, and adding milk.
Taiwan Milk Tea
Taiwanese milk tea has a rich history that dates back to the sevent century when it was introduced by the Dutch in Taiwan. Over time, Taiwanese milk tea has become a popular beverage around the world, with its unique flavors and ingredients. One of the most famous types of Taiwanese milk tea is pearl milk tea, which is also known as BOBA tea. The "pearls" or "BOBA" are made from tapioca starch, which is soaked in syrup before being added to the milk tea. This process ensures that the pearls maintain their sweetness in the sweeter milk tea, creating a delicious and refreshing drink that is enjoyed by many.
Today's Milk Tea
Bubble tea's origin has been a topic of debate, but it quickly gained popularity and remains a dominant player in the milk tea industry. Milk tea has evolved beyond a simple combination of milk and tea, incorporating various tea bases, fruits, yogurt, ice cream, sugar substitutes, and other ingredients to create a harmonious blend of flavors and modern style.
Sweetland Tea
Sweetland Tea is a company that is dedicated to creating a truly exceptional and groundbreaking tea beverage. Our inspiration comes from centuries of traditional Asian tea culture, which we have incorporated into our product to deliver an unparalleled natural and invigorating taste. We prioritize the use of premium, fresh ingredients and spearhead the revolution in New-Style Tea techniques. Our innovative approach has taken the bubble tea market by storm, challenging conventional notions associated with beverages favored by previous generations. Our tea is meticulously brewed from top-grade tea leaves and infused with delightful medley of handpicked fruits. We also top our tea with velvety cheese foam, which adds a unique and delicious twist to the traditional bubble tea experience.