Randy Chandler
Cheese foam is a popular boba shop topping that is made by whipping together cream cheese, milk, sugar, and salt. The resulting foam is then added to iced tea or milk tea for a unique drinking experience. While the concept of cheese in tea may seem unusual, it has gained global popularity for its bold, sweet and salty flavour, and its creamy texture. Cheese foam is commonly found in bubble tea shops around the world, and can also be made at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Sweet and Savoury |
| Texture | Creamy, Fluffy, Light, Velvety |
| Ingredients | Cream Cheese, Milk, Sugar, Salt |
| Calories | 160 per serving |
| Preparation Time | 5 minutes |
| Ease of Preparation | Easy |
| Customization | Can be customized with different types and amounts of sugar and salt |
| Availability | Widely available in bubble tea shops |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese foam is a popular boba shop topping
The creamy, salty-sweet vibe of cheese foam complements tea's natural bitterness, creating a very balanced and interesting taste. It also enhances the texture of the drink, adding a layer of velvety consistency that feels very nice and smooth in your mouth. For many, both the aesthetic and flavour make it a must-try experience. Cheese tea can be enjoyed independently or paired with various sweets to make it a meal. A serving of cheese foam adds about 160 calories, while a serving of boba and tea has about 300.
Cheese foam is usually served as a crown over iced teas or milk teas. It can be made in under five minutes with only five ingredients. The recipe includes heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, and salt, which are mixed with cream cheese. The cream cheese should be at room temperature to allow for easy mixing with the other ingredients. The cold heavy whipping cream allows the mixture to foam up easily. The final texture should be thick and foamy, with medium-soft peaks.
Cheese foam boba is widely available in many bubble tea shops around the world, including Happy Lemon, Gong Cha, and Sharetea. While it may sound strange to someone who has never tried it, cheese foam has taken the world of bubble tea by storm. It originated in Taiwan and has gained global popularity for its creamy texture and bold taste.
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It's made with heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, and cream cheese
Cheese foam is a popular topping for boba tea, adding a slightly savoury flavour to the sweetened tea. It is made with heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, and cream cheese, and can be made in under 5 minutes. The cream cheese should be at room temperature to ensure it is easy to mix with the other ingredients. The heavy whipping cream should be cold to allow the mixture to foam up easily. The milk can be any type of cow's milk, or a milk alternative such as coconut milk, but it should be noted that milk alternatives will result in a less creamy foam. Sugar is the main sweetener in the recipe, and granulated white sugar is recommended to maintain the structure of the foam. However, other sugars can be used, such as vanilla sugar, powdered sugar, or brown sugar. The brown sugar will colour the foam, however. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to taste, with more sugar added to make the foam sweeter. Finally, a pinch of salt is added to enhance the flavour. This can be adjusted to taste, but it should be noted that sea salt or Himalayan salt can be overpowering, so it should be added in small increments.
The ingredients are mixed and whipped until smooth and creamy, creating a light and fluffy texture. The foam can be served immediately on top of a cold drink, or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cheese foam can be paired with various sweets, such as a sweet bun, croissant, or shortbread, or any other pastry usually enjoyed with tea. It can also be added to coffee or hot chocolate.
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The drink is served with a special lid to avoid a foam moustache
Cheese tea, or cheese foam tea, is a unique drink that combines sweet and savoury flavours. It is made by topping iced tea with a layer of foamy salty-sweet cream cheese. The tea is usually green or black tea, and can be served with or without milk.
The drink originated in Taiwan around 2010, and has since become popular in other parts of Asia, including Malaysia, China, and Japan. It is also gaining popularity in Western countries, particularly in cities with large Asian populations such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
The creamy, salty-sweet foam adds a rich and interesting flavour to the tea, and its smooth, velvety texture enhances the drinking experience. The foam is typically made with a base of whipped cream and milk or cream cheese, and can be customised with different flavours and toppings. Some popular variations include cheesecake cream, creme brulee, white chocolate cream, and tiramisu.
The drink is typically served with a special lid, similar to a coffee lid, which allows for easy sipping and prevents the drinker from getting a "foam moustache". This unique drinking experience, along with the intriguing combination of flavours, has made cheese tea a popular trend among tea enthusiasts and those looking to explore new and adventurous drink options.
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It's a versatile topping that pairs well with many teas
Cheese foam is a versatile topping that can be added to a variety of teas, enhancing both their flavour and texture. The unique combination of sweet and salty notes in the foam complements the natural bitterness of tea, creating a well-balanced and interesting taste profile. While it may sound like an unusual addition to tea, cheese foam has gained popularity, particularly among bubble tea enthusiasts, for its ability to transform a simple tea into an indulgent, flavourful beverage.
The versatility of cheese foam lies in its ability to pair well with various teas, from classic black tea to earthy matcha and fruity infusions. It can also be customised to suit different taste preferences. For a sweeter foam, one can increase the amount of sugar used, while adding a pinch of salt enhances the salty notes. This customisability ensures that cheese foam can be tailored to complement the specific tea it tops, creating a harmonious flavour combination.
The method of consumption also plays a role in the overall experience of drinking tea with cheese foam. As the foam prohibits the use of a straw, sipping the beverage from the top of the cup at a 40- to 45-degree angle is recommended. This technique ensures that one can fully enjoy the creamy, tangy overlay of the foam, creating a layered drinking experience where the rich foam and the tea blend together in each sip.
Cheese foam's versatility extends beyond its ability to pair with different teas. It can also be enjoyed as a standalone treat or paired with various sweets, such as pastries, to make it a more substantial meal. The combination of the salty-sweet foam with baked goods creates a delightful contrast, appealing to those who enjoy a traditional tea-and-pastry pairing but seek a twist of innovation.
While the exact ingredients and preparation methods may vary, the core components of cheese foam remain consistent. It is typically made with whipped cream, milk or cream cheese, sugar, and salt, resulting in a light and fluffy texture that contrasts the bitterness of tea. This versatility in preparation allows tea shops and enthusiasts alike to experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create their unique version of this trendy topping.
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It's a global phenomenon, with shops in the US, China, and Japan
Cheese foam is a global phenomenon, with shops in the US, China, and Japan. It is a popular topping for boba drinks, adding a savoury element to the sweetened tea. The drink is made by topping tea with a mixture of whipped cream cheese, milk, sugar, and salt. The trend is thought to have started in Taiwan in 2010, where vendors topped tea with a foam made from powdered cheese, whipping cream, salt, and milk.
In the US, cheese tea shops can be found in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In New York, shops such as Little Uluh in the East Village and Partea in Union Square offer cheese-foam-topped tea. In Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, teens and people in their early 20s queue for up to an hour for cheese tea at Heytea. In San Francisco's Chinatown, Steap sources mascarpone from a neighbouring pizzeria to create its signature foam top. Little Fluffy Head Café in Los Angeles, founded by consultant and entrepreneur Jenny Zheng, offers dozens of beverages topped with a creamy cheese foam.
In Asia, cheese tea is popular in China, Malaysia, and Taiwan. In China, some tea franchises sell an average of 1,000 cups of cheese tea per day. Heytea, which has 15 locations in New York, first became popular in China before expanding to other parts of Asia, Australia, and the UK. In Taiwan, where cheese tea is thought to have originated, the US is only now catching up with the variety of toppings available. In Malaysia, cheese tea shops recommend drinking the beverage straight from the edge of the cup, rather than using a straw, to fully experience the creamy, thick texture of the cream cheese foam.
Japanese beverage company Kirin has developed plans to create bottled cheese tea, and the drink is reportedly very successful in Japan.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese foam is a topping for boba drinks, made from a mixture of milk, cream cheese, whipping cream, and sugar. It is then sprinkled with salt to finish.
First, cream the cream cheese, milk, sugar, and salt together in a small bowl until smooth. Then, beat the heavy whipping cream in a separate bowl until thick and frothy. Finally, combine the two mixtures and serve on top of your chosen drink.
This is subjective. Some people enjoy the combination of sweet and savoury flavours, whereas others are more sceptical about the addition of cheese to their drinks. However, it has gained global popularity for its creamy texture and bold taste, and is particularly loved for creating a layered drinking experience.
