Patrick Oconnell
Cheese tea is a beverage that has gained popularity in various parts of the world, especially in Asia and the United States. It is a unique twist on the traditional cup of tea, and its distinct flavour has left people wondering what it tastes like. The drink is prepared by topping tea with a foamy layer of milk, sweet or salty cream cheese, and whipping cream, resulting in a sweet yet savoury finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Taiwan |
| Year of origin | 2010 |
| Original ingredients | Powdered cheese, whipping cream, milk, green or black tea |
| Current popular ingredients | Cream cheese, milk, green or black tea |
| Flavour | Sweet, salty, tangy, savoury |
| Texture | Frothy, foamy, creamy |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Serving suggestions | No straw, sipped from the top of the cup at a 40- to 45-degree angle, or with a special lid |
| Accompaniments | Tapioca pearls, fruit infusions |
| Popularity | Popular in Taiwan, China, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and some parts of the United States |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cheese tea is a sweet and savoury drink
Cheese tea is a unique drink that combines the sweetness of tea with the savoury notes of cheese. It is a growing trend that originated in Taiwan's night markets around 2010 and has since spread across Asia and the United States. The drink is particularly popular in China, with some tea franchises selling an average of 1,000 cups of cheese tea per day in major cities.
Cheese tea, also known as "naigai cha" in Taiwan, is a beverage consisting of cold, fruity iced tea topped with a layer of salted, whipped cream cheese. The tea is typically green or black tea, which can be served with or without milk, and is topped with a foamy cap of cream cheese, milk, and a sprinkle of salt. This combination of flavours creates a sweet and savoury drink with a creamy texture that has been compared to crème brulee or a Creamsicle.
The key to enjoying cheese tea lies in the method of consumption. It is recommended to sip the drink from the top of the cup at a 40- to 45-degree angle without using a straw. This ensures that you get the right amount of the tangy cream overlay with each sip and allows the sweet foam and tea to mix in your mouth, creating a full-bodied, savoury experience. Some specialty lids have been designed to facilitate this ideal sipping angle and prevent a "foam moustache".
While cheese tea may sound unusual to those unfamiliar with it, it is a delightful combination of flavours that has captivated tea enthusiasts around the world. The drink has evolved from its early days in Taiwan, where vendors used powdered cheese, to the more refined versions found in China and other parts of Asia, where real cream cheese and fresh milk are used. As it continues to gain popularity, cheese tea may soon become a staple on the menus of tea houses and coffee chains worldwide.
The Pickle and Cheese Conundrum: Why Do We Love It?
You may want to see also
It's made with green or black tea
Cheese tea is a drink that originated in Taiwan's night markets around 2010. It is made by topping iced tea with a foamy layer of milk, cream, and cheese. The tea used is typically green or black, and the cheese layer can be made with cream cheese, mascarpone, or small amounts of cheese, creating a sweet or savoury finish.
In its early days, Taiwanese vendors made cheese tea by blending powdered cheese and salt with whipping cream and milk over cold tea. However, when the trend spread to China's Guangdong province in 2012, the tea was refined by using real cream cheese and fresh milk instead of powdered cheese. This created a cloud-like, sweet foam-like topping for the tea.
The tea is served without a straw, as this would mix the tea and foam layers, preventing the full flavour experience. Instead, it is recommended to sip the tea from the edge of the cup, allowing the foam and tea to mix in your mouth for a full-bodied, tangy, and sweet flavour.
Cheese tea has gained popularity across Asia and is now making its way to the United States, where it is predicted to be the next big tea trend. It has already gained prominence in cities like San Francisco and New York, and some tea franchises in major Chinese cities sell an average of 1,000 cups of cheese tea per day.
Cheese Intolerance: Understanding Allergic Reactions to Dairy
You may want to see also
The cheese is mixed with milk and sugar
Cheese tea is a drink that combines tea with cheese foam. The cheese foam is made by mixing cream cheese, milk, and whipping cream, and sometimes sugar. The foam can be either salty or sweet, depending on the recipe and the shop selling it. The tea is typically a traditional black or green tea, and the drink can be served hot or cold.
When the cheese is mixed with milk and sugar, the resulting foam is sweet and creamy, with a hint of saltiness from the cream cheese. The milk adds a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness, while the sugar enhances the sweetness and balances out the slight saltiness of the cream cheese. The foam is light and fluffy, creating a rich and indulgent drinking experience.
The process of making cheese tea with milk and sugar typically involves beating cream cheese and milk together until well combined. Sugar is then added to the mixture, followed by whipping cream to create a foamy, airy texture. This foam is then poured over a cup of tea, creating a layer of cheese foam that floats on top of the tea.
The combination of cheese, milk, and sugar in cheese tea creates a unique and unexpected flavour profile. The sweetness of the milk and sugar balances out the saltiness of the cream cheese, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavours. The tea adds a depth of flavour and a slight bitterness that complements the sweetness of the foam.
Cheese tea with milk and sugar can be served in a variety of ways. Some shops offer customisations, such as different types of cheese foam or the option to pre-swirl the toppings throughout the drink. It is typically recommended to sip the drink from the top of the cup at a 40- to 45-degree angle to fully enjoy the creamy, thick texture of the foam before it blends with the tea.
Brie Cheese's Ammonia Smell: Why Does It Happen?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$4.99
It's sipped from the top of the cup
Cheese tea is a unique drink that has gained popularity in various parts of the world, especially in Asia and the United States. This intriguing beverage is not just about the combination of cheese and tea; it's a carefully crafted experience, and the way it's sipped plays a crucial role in savouring its distinct flavours.
The art of sipping cheese tea is a delicate balance, and it starts with the angle of the cup. You see, cheese tea is best enjoyed without a straw. This may seem unusual, but there's a method to the madness. By sipping the tea from the top of the cup, at a precise angle of 40 to 45 degrees, you allow the creamy, tangy cheese foam and the refreshing tea to meet in your mouth. This creates a symphony of flavours, a fusion that defines the cheese tea experience.
The absence of a straw ensures you get a generous amount of the cheese foam with each sip, enhancing the savoury finish. The angle at which you sip is crucial; too shallow, and you might miss the foam, too steep, and you'll be overwhelmed by the tea. It's a delicate dance, a ritual that cheese tea enthusiasts have perfected, ensuring each sip delivers the perfect balance of flavours.
Specialty lids have been designed to assist in this unique sipping experience. These lids, reminiscent of coffee cup lids, are crafted to allow just the right amount of air for sipping. They also serve a practical purpose, shielding the drinker from the potential mess of a foam moustache. So, while it may seem unconventional to sip a beverage from the top of the cup, this method is integral to the enjoyment of cheese tea, ensuring each sip is a harmonious blend of sweet and savoury, creamy and refreshing.
Cheese tea, a drink that challenges conventions, invites you to embrace a new way of sipping, encouraging you to savour the interplay of flavours from the very top of your cup. So, embrace the adventure, tilt your cup just so, and discover why this unique beverage has captivated people from Asia to America and beyond.
The Unique Taste of Cantal Cheese Explained
You may want to see also
It's popular in Asia and the US
Cheese tea is a unique drink that has gained popularity in parts of Asia and the US. It is a beverage consisting of fruity iced teas topped with a layer of salted, whipped cream cheese. The tea is typically green, black, or white tea, and it can be customised with fruit infusions. The topping can be made with mascarpone, cream cheese, or small amounts of cheese, depending on the establishment. The drink is served cold, and the cheese cap is thick but sippable, similar to the foam on a latte or cappuccino.
Cheese tea is believed to have originated in Taiwan around 2010 and spread to China's Guangdong province in 2012, where it was refined by using real cream cheese instead of powdered cheese. It has since become popular in other parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. In major cities in China, some tea franchises sell an average of 1,000 cups of cheese tea per day. The drink is also popular in Japan, where the beverage company Kirin plans to create a bottled version.
In the US, cheese tea has gained prominence in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and New York. However, it has not achieved the same level of popularity as in Asia, as some Americans struggle with the name and concept of cheese in their tea. Cheese tea is often referred to as "milk cap," "cheese mouse," or "milk foam" in the US. Small cafes and specialty tea shops in the US are putting their twist on the frothy topping, and it is predicted that cheese tea will soon make its debut in American coffeehouse chains.
The unique combination of flavours in cheese tea leaves the drink with a sweet but savoury finish. The method of sipping it from the top of the cup at a 40- to 45-degree angle without a straw is integral to enjoying the full range of flavours. This allows the creamy texture of the dairy foam to blend with the tea mixture in the mouth for a full-bodied experience.
The Stinky Truth: Why You Smell Like Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cheese tea is a sweet and savoury drink that has a creamy texture. The tea is often made with green or black tea, with or without milk, and is topped with a foamy cap of whipped cream cheese, milk, and a sprinkle of salt.
It is recommended to sip cheese tea without a straw from the edge of the cup so that you get the right amount of foam and tea in your mouth at the same time, mixing the two for the ultimate flavour. Some shops even provide special lids that allow for an inch or so of foam and tea to mix as it's consumed.
Cheese tea, also known as naigai cha, originated in Taiwan around 2010 and was popularized by Hey Tea in China. It has since expanded to other regions, including Asia, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
