Enjoy Your Royal Cup! The Quintessential English Breakfast Tea

A Taste of History: Hong Kong's Love Affair with Milk Tea

Hong Kong-style milk tea (奶茶), is more than just a beverage; it's a cultural icon. Its story is interwoven with the history of Hong Kong itself, reflecting the fusion of Eastern and Western influences. But where did this unique drink come from?

The story begins with the British colonial era. The British introduced their tea-drinking habits to Hong Kong, but the strong, often bitter, flavor of traditional English tea wasn't an immediate hit with the local palate. Hong Kong people started to create Hong Kong style milk tea around after World War 2.

5 Reasons Behind the Rise of Black Tea in Hong Kong

British Influence: As a British colony, Hong Kong was exposed to British culture, including their tea-drinking habits.
Affordability: Black tea was a relatively inexpensive beverage, making it accessible to the working class.
Local Adaptation: Hong Kongers adapted the British tea tradition to their own tastes, using evaporated or condensed milk for a richer, creamier flavor.
Cultural Fusion: The blending of British tea culture with local preferences resulted in a unique and distinctive beverage.
Innovation: The use of a special cloth bag for filtering the tea grounds, known as a 'silk stocking,' contributed to the tea's smooth texture.

Hong Kong's history as a British colony played a crucial role in the development of Hong Kong-style milk tea. The British introduced tea-drinking to the region, but the locals adapted the tradition to their own tastes and preferences. The use of evaporated or condensed milk, as opposed to fresh milk, and the unique filtering method are all testaments to this cultural fusion.

Grand Breakfast 512: Your Royal Milk Tea Recipe

Ready to brew your own cup of Hong Kong history? Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

2 Grand Breakfast 512 Teabags
2 cups water
Evaporated milk or condensed milk, to taste
Sugar, to taste (optional)

Boil water in a saucepan.
Add the Grand Breakfast 512 black tea to the boiling water.
Simmer for 5-8 minutes, depending on desired strength.
Strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve or a 'silk stocking' tea filter.
Add evaporated milk or condensed milk to taste.
Add sugar, if desired.
Stir well and enjoy!