Bubble, cheese & fairy floss: Milk the fun side of tea

An afternoon cuppa might be an age-old tradition, but the milk tea culture in Asia has reached gram-worthy new heights. From the classic to the 'gram worthy, here are our favourite ways to enjoy this classic drink.

What's your all-time tea concoction? Source: Flickr

With tea culture being thousands of years old, it's no wonder that it would eventually evolve into the bubble tea that we know today. Invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, this summertime treat has become its own monster, with unlimited variations of flavour, toppings and colours.  

The standard process is simple: basic brewed tea (black or green) is put into a shaker with flavouring (syrups, milk or powders) and ice, and shaken to mix and chill. It's then poured into a plastic cup with 'toppings' - tapioca pearls, jellies, red bean, and even custard has made an appearance on some menus! - and placed into a nifty machine to seal with plastic.

After that comes the fun bit - you try your darnedest to poke a straw through the lid without spilling your drink all over the sidewalk! 

Whether you enjoy the classic bubble tea or one of its newer incarnations, there's no denying that the obsession with this colourful treat isn't going to disappear anytime soon. Light bulb tea, anyone?

Foam teas

Think foam is just something that fine dining chef put on dinner in the 90s? Think again! Fine milk foams are used to top off teas to give it a creamy finish.

Bonus: cheese foam teas

Yes, cheese. On tea. 

Your personal favourite? Cheese foam on a light jasmine green tea. Remember to get it without a lid, though - the best way to enjoy it is to sip the tea through the foam and enjoy your cheese-stache!

King-T

Shop 18/127-133 Burwood Rd, Burwood NSW 2134

Ombre tea

No longer just a hair or cake trend, the ombre fad has extended to our favourite cuppa! Hong Kong milk tea, matcha, and taro 'teas' are layered with milk to create a pretty gradient to go with your afternoon pick-me-up! #sbscolourtherapy

Yin yang teas

Originally used to describe a coffee/tea mix, the new yin yang milk teas refer to two separate flavours of drink, in a single serving cup! Enjoy it separately, mixed, or shared with a friend: the choices are endless when it comes to this one.

Galaxy tea

Move aside, ombre! Why have a simple two colour mix, when you have the entire galaxy at your disposal? The Insta-fad of universe-everything has translated to our favourite drink as well, with colourful fruit teas replacing their milky cousins to create this beautiful effect.

Fusion tea

Think a latte can only be made with Western-style teas? How does an oolong latte sound? Classically Chinese teas are getting a Western-style milky infusion, bringing a whole other dimension to the afternoon cuppa.

Plant tea

What's a milk tea if it doesn't look like a plant? From the creators of the original bubble tea, may we present to you...plant teas! Cookie crumbs get piled onto a large cup (or pot) or milk tea, creating the illusion of drinking a plant. Getting your 5-a-day has never been so sweet.

Fairy floss

Pashmak, or fairy floss, makes everything better, right? Delicate woven sugar is an eye-popping addition to any dessert and drink. Plus it gives you more time to sit on your pearls and tea.

So, what is your all-time tea flavour concoction?

Lead image by @mariahfleming via Flickr.

Luke Nguyen's Food Trail brews up some Hong Kong-style tea and treats. Visit the program page for recipes, videos and more.