港式奶茶 Hong Kong Milk Tea, Made With 3 Tea Types From Different Countries

Hong Kong milk tea is known for its repeated brewing process using a tea sock. But this isn’t the only step that lends the drink its signature richness. A calculated addition of evaporated milk and sugar transforms the tea into a silky, energizing drink that isn’t overly heavy or sweet.

While recipe-testing, I received most of my guidance from the oldest existing cha chaan teng in Hong Kong, called Lan Fong Yuen. The owners make their milk tea using a blend of 6 different types of tea leaves! They say that it makes the resulting milk tea taste so much richer. I certainly agree. For my recipe, I’ve used 3 of my favorite bold-flavored black teas: Golden Tips Assam tea, Azores Orange Pekoe tea, and Raw Puer tea.

If you’re looking for a certain taste of Hong Kong milk tea from your childhood or perhaps a past visit to Hong Kong, I recommend practicing the brewing steps in this recipe first. With this as a starting point, you’ll have a better feel for the tea varieties, ingredient ratios, and brewing times you’ll need to adjust to produce that perfect nostalgic taste!