Ingredients needed for Assam milk tea include Assam black tea, water, full-fat fresh milk, and a sweetener. The golden ratio of Assam black tea to fresh milk is 1:1. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can also add a little condensed milk. Here is how to make Assam milk tea:
Ingredients
- Water…200 ml
- Full-fat milk…200 ml
- Assam tea leaves…2 g
- Sugar…(Optional)
- Condensed milk…(Optional)
- Tapioca pearls…(Optional)
- Heavy cream…(Optional)
How to Make Assam Milk Tea
- Prepare 200 ml of hot water at 90–95°C, add 2 g of Assam tea leaves, steep for about 2 minutes, and strain out the leaves.
- Pour the brewed black tea into the full-fat milk.
- Add sugar, condensed milk, tapioca pearls, or other ingredients to enhance the flavor.
Tips for Delicious Assam Milk Tea
- Full-fat milk tastes richer and better than skim milk. You can also add condensed milk or cream for a smoother texture, but keep in mind health and calorie intake.
- Brew the tea a bit stronger, since you’ll be adding fresh milk.
- There is no fixed ratio for black tea and fresh milk. We find the golden ratio of tea to fresh milk is 1:1, though some prefer slightly more milk. Feel free to experiment to find your preference.
- Add sugar and condensed milk just before drinking, otherwise the flavor may change over time.
- You can add tapioca pearls to turn it into Assam bubble milk tea.
The Perfect Assam Milk Tea
- We recommend using loose-leaf tea rather than tea bags, as loose leaves generally offer better flavor. Tea bags often contain broken or crushed leaves, which can release bitter and astringent flavors.
- After adding fresh milk to the Assam black tea, continue to gently heat it over low heat until warm (avoid overheating to a boil, as this will ruin the rich and mellow flavor). This enhances the milky aroma and mouthfeel.
- You can add sweeteners such as sugar, condensed milk, or honey according to your preference. Condensed milk is the top choice for flavor, followed by honey.
- If you prefer a stronger milky flavor, you can add heavy cream to make rich milk tea, though you may want to consider the calorie count.