Indulging yourself in a delightful combination of food and beverage after a long day is something all of us dream about at the end of the day. Nothing beats having that warm feeling after you’ve had your fill. When it comes to tea, whether you’re a true expert or a casual drinker doesn’t matter; you’re probably aware of how milk tea drinks are sweeping the beverage industry with increasing demand.
This demand has brought many different tea varieties to the market. Among those that have gained quite a following is vanilla milk tea. It has an unforgettable flavor that’s easy to replicate in your home.
What Is Vanilla Milk Tea?
You’re probably aware that vanilla is a common flavoring for baked goods and beverages, thanks to its sweet flavor that makes any food taste like a dessert. While they are flavorful, vanilla complements the taste of tea, milk, and any sweetener.
When it comes to making vanilla tea, there are different tea combinations you can create. This includes:
- Vanilla and Black Tea: Mixing vanilla and black tea will give you a creamy vanilla flavor, balanced with the rich taste of black tea. It is unique because the vanilla and black tea, combined with jasmine blossoms, will give you an in-depth floral taste. This vanilla milk tea is best served hot or chilled.
- Vanilla and Green Tea: Did you know you can make your green tea tastier by adding vanilla extract? The creamy sweetness of vanilla perfectly complements the grassy taste of green tea. When you use a vanilla bean, you can consume this vanilla milk tea on its own without any sweetener.
What Does Vanilla Milk Tea Taste Like?
Since there are many combinations that you can come up with for vanilla milk tea, the taste would change according to the tea base you use. For example, you can use green tea or white tea for a lighter flavor.
On the other hand, choosing dark teas will give you an almost nutty flavor, especially once you add the milk. Milk will even the flavor out for black tea blends or highly concentrated flavors.
Vanilla Milk Tea Benefits
Vanilla milk tea is a delicious and refreshing beverage made from vanilla beans. It has been around for centuries, but it’s only recently that people began to realize its many health benefits. There are many different brands of vanilla milk tea on the market, each with its own unique flavor. Some have less sugar than others, and other additives, like stevia or honey, may be added if you want something sweeter than plain unflavored vanilla bean extract (or even if you don’t).
Vanilla milk tea helps reduce mental and physical fatigue.
Vanilla milk tea can help reduce mental and physical fatigue. It is believed that the caffeine in vanilla milk tea keeps you alert, preventing you from getting tired. This can be great if you have an important meeting or something else that requires focus. But it’s also a good idea for those who want to stay refreshed at night after work.
Vanilla milk tea also contains taurine, which helps with mental acuity by improving your mood and memory retention, even though it may not seem like it at first glance since we’re talking about a drink made of almond milk! Studies show Taurine is beneficial when it comes down to how well people remember things.
Vanilla milk tea can help the body with improving metabolism.
Vanilla milk tea is an excellent drink for people trying to lose weight because it contains caffeine. Caffeine can help increase the amount of energy you have and also help with metabolism.
Vanilla milk tea is good for heart health.
Vanilla milk tea is good for your heart. It contains antioxidants, which help keep arteries healthy and prevent blood clots.
Vanilla milk tea also has caffeine, which can improve your circulation and increase energy levels. This means that you’ll be able to exercise longer than usual after drinking it. As you know, regular exercise is good for the heart!
Vanilla milk tea prevents tissue damage.
Vanilla milk tea contains antioxidants that help to keep your skin healthy by protecting it from free radicals that cause wrinkles and other signs of aging. Antioxidants are good for the body because they prevent tissue damage and cancer. They also help to slow down aging and prevent heart disease and even diabetes.
Vanilla milk tea may help prevent muscle pains and cramps.
Vanilla milk teas contain amino acids, which are important for muscle growth and repair. They also contain magnesium, which helps relax muscles after a workout. They can also help reduce the risk of cramping by providing potassium in the form of electrolytes throughout your body during exercise or when you’re working out at the gym.
Vanilla milk tea is filled with nutrients and antioxidants.
The antioxidants in vanilla milk tea are essential for the body’s overall health. Antioxidants help fight free radicals that can damage the skin and cause cancer. The antioxidants in vanilla milk tea also help the body use vitamins A and E, vitamins C and D, as well as other important vitamins such as B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B6 (pyridoxine).
It’s no wonder why vanilla milk tea has been consumed for centuries. It is considered an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which help the immune system and increase bone density in those who drink it regularly. This drink also contains potassium, which gives your body the energy it needs throughout the day!
Vanilla Milk Tea Ingredients
Yield: 2 cups
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Here’s what you need:
- Loose-leaf black tea (2 teaspoons, heaping): You can choose any tea base for your vanilla milk tea, but the most basic one, particularly for those new to making any homemade milk tea, is black tea. Unlike green tea, black tea can be infused longer without it tasting bitter.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): You can choose to use vanilla extract. You can also use a vanilla bean if you prefer that fresh and creamy vanilla flavor.
- Milk (2 cups): You can use any type of milk for this vanilla milk tea recipe. For a creamier flavor, use full-cream milk. You can use almond milk if you want a healthier option.
- Sweetener (to taste): You can use brown sugar or honey. If you have maple syrup, you can use that, as well.
- Tapioca pearls (4 tablespoons, optional): No matter how you want to enjoy your tea (hot or cold), you can add tapioca pearls for added texture.
- Water (for steeping): The usual ratio of water to tea is ideally eight ounces of water to a teaspoon of loose-leaf tea, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. You can adjust the amount of water depending on how concentrated you want your tea to be. If you want the tea to have a light taste, add more water and steep it for three minutes. If you want a full-bodied tea, lessen the water and infuse it for up to five minutes.
- Ice cubes (optional): You can enjoy it hot or cold!
How to Make Vanilla Milk Tea
Ready to learn how to make vanilla bubble tea, your new go-to weekend beverage? Just follow our vanilla milk tea recipe below!
Cook the pearls.
Boil about ¼ cup of water over medium heat. When it starts to boil, add the tapioca pearls. Notice the pearls will sink to the bottom of the pot. Stir them lightly so they don’t stick to the pot. Stirring also prevents them from clumping together.
The boba pearls will float and are noticeably bigger once cooked. Remove the pot from the heat. Set it aside with the lid in place.
Infuse the black tea
Next, boil the water for your tea. Place your loose-leaf black tea inside a tea infuser and drop it inside the pot. Let it steep for three to five minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. After steeping, pour the tea into a cup. Add the vanilla extract.
Sweeten the tapioca pearls
Go back to your tapioca pearls and drain the water. Wash them with cold water to allow the pearls to maintain their chewy texture. Then coat them with your sweetener of choice.
Warm the milk
Before adding the milk to your tea, warm it for 45 seconds. Pour it slowly into your tea. You can also boil your milk in a saucepan until it froths.
Assemble the vanilla boba tea
Add the tapioca pearls to the bottom of your glass. Add the ice cubes (if preferred), followed by the milk tea and the sweetener of choice.
FAQs
Is it okay to put vanilla extract in tea?
Yes! Adding vanilla extract to any tea adds a whole new dimension to the drink. The flavor of vanilla will allow the rich, bold flavor of black teas to come out. For lighter tea varieties, adding vanilla gives it that sweet, creamy taste that makes it feel like you are eating and drinking a dessert in one!
Why do the British put milk in tea?
There are many different versions as to why people in the UK started to add milk to their teas. The more popular would be to preserve the integrity of the teacup. You’ve probably noticed that teacups are thinner than those used for coffee. The reason for this is to allow the tea (often coming from a roiling boil) to reach a drinkable temperature faster. The thinness makes them more delicate and prone to breakage due to the high water temperature.
Another theory is that milk balances the tea’s bitterness to give it a smooth, delicate taste.
