Many commercially available milk teas are made by combining black tea with non-dairy creamer. While convenient, this can put a heavier burden on your body. In fact, you can use milk powder to make black tea just as flavorful, and it’s much healthier! All you need is black tea, milk powder, and sugar or honey to brew a delicious milk tea right at home. Here is how to make milk tea with milk powder, along with a few tips to keep in mind:
Dissolve the milk powder first: The water temperature for mixing milk powder is different from that for brewing black tea. The water for milk powder should not be too hot, otherwise it won’t dissolve properly and will have a powdery texture. Check the recommended mixing temperature for your milk powder, dissolve it, stir well, and set aside. Never pour milk powder directly into the brewed black tea, as it won’t taste right.
Brew the black tea: Brew the black tea using water between 95°C and 100°C, adjusting the strength to your personal preference. If you are using high-quality loose-leaf tea and have high standards for the brew, you can use a bit more leaf and steep for 3 to 5 minutes before removing them. If you are using lower-quality tea leaves or standard store-bought tea bags, steep for 10 minutes before removing. Remember that steeping tea for too long will make it bitter and astringent.
Prepare simple syrup: If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add some simple syrup or honey. Prepare the syrup separately—do not add it directly to the tea leaves or milk powder, as it won’t dissolve well. If using honey, wait until the black tea and milk have cooled below 50°C, or use it when making iced milk tea, otherwise high temperatures may destroy the beneficial properties of the honey.
Finally, combine the prepared milk and black tea in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3, then add the desired amount of simple syrup. And there you have it—a delicious, affordable, and healthy cup of milk tea!