Classic milk tea or bubble tea is usually made with black tea, but we are using some new and interesting ingredients for new flavors and tastes. Oolong tea and jasmine green tea are the rising stars in the world of boba.
Oolong milk tea, as shown in the name, is made with a tea base of oolong tea, milk of choice, syrup, and boba pearls.
Oolong milk tea is a traditional Chinese tea, somewhere between black and green tea. It has a middle-level roasted aroma but is not as strong as black tea.
Compared with black tea, bubble tea with oolong milk tea and jasmine green tea is more popular among the younger generation.
Oolong tea
There are two large groups of oolong tea- dark oolong, which is more similar to dark tea, and the other one is green oolong which is lighter and similar to green tea. I use a flavored oolong tea base this time. It is called peach oolong tea.
Tips about brewing oolong tea
Unlike black tea, which requires boiling water, the ideal water temperature for oolong tea is 185°F to 205°F (85°C to 96°C), which is slightly higher than green tea.
You can boil the water and then let it rest for about 1 minute, waiting for the temperature to drop to the right scoop.
How to make oolong tea at home
The first step in making oolong bubble tea is to cook your boba or tapioca pearls. Read the package instructions and find the required cooking time. Check our guide about how to cook boba pearls for more information. The process usually includes 3 steps:
- Cook the boba pearls in hot, boiling water (at least ten times) for the time required on the package.
- Soak it in the water. Turn off the fire and cover the lid. Let them stay for the required time (usually the same as the cooking time).
- Rinse in running water to remove the stickiness, then mix with syrup or sugar. You can also simmer the boba pearls with brown sugar for a caramelized taste.
I use peach-flavored tapioca pearls for this oolong milk tea, but you can use regular black pearls.
Brew the oolong tea: Add 90 degrees C hot water to the tea leaf and steep for 4 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let the liquid down.
Assemble: Place the brown sugar tapioca pearls at the bottom of your glass, then add ice cubes (optional), milk, and brewed oolong tea. Stir and enjoy!
Other interesting bubble tea to try
Oolong milk tea – Oolong boba
Ingredients
tea base
- 2 oolong tea bags or 2 tsp. oolong tea leaves , I use peach oolong tea this time.
- 300 ml water
Boba pearls
- 1/4 cup uncooked boba pearls
- water for boil the boba pearls
- 1 tbsp. syrup
Assemble
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp. syrup or honey , divided
- ice cubes as needed
Instructions
Brew the tea
- Add 90 degree C hot water to tea leaf and steep for 4 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let the liquid down.
Cook the boba pearls
- Bring 8 times of water to a boiling and then place tapioca pearls. Read the instruction on the package (find the requiring time). It may be 20 minutes or 5 minutes. Cover the lid, turn off the fire and let it rest for another required time.
- Rinse the boba pearls under running water. Then mix the boba pearls with syrup.
Assemble.
- Add around 3 tablespoons of boba pearls. Add ice cubes, then pour in oolong tea base. Then add syrup and milk.
- Stir well before enjoying.
Video
Nutrition
If you are a boba lover, check out our other interesting bubble tea.