Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea cappucino
Tea is essential to Japanese culture as well as the nation’s most popular drink. The Japanese regard it so extremely that they even have a standard tea ceremony for it! They think the rite creates a bond between the host and also the guest welcomed for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings inner peace to both host as well as guest.
Besides its well-known matcha tea, Japan is additionally popular for its selection of milk tea – two of them being the Okinawa as well as Hokkaido milk tea. The primary difference between them is their active ingredients. Okinawa milk tea utilizes a certain brownish sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea utilizes rich, velvety milk from within its region.
This short article will clarify more on distinguishing between these 2 kinds of milk tea.
What is Okinawa Milk Tea?
Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea
Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Pearls
The Okinawa Milk Tea is a velvety beverage that has a great deal of variants across the world. Interestingly, also the strange bubble tea is a sample! Normally, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a sweet as well as milky flavor owing to its base tea, which is royal milk tea (a mix that adds more milk than the conventional formula).
Its special active ingredient is the kokuto, a brownish sugar belonging to the southern region of Japan. Kokuto is prepared definitely contrasted to normal white sugar. It is made by cooking sugarcane juice, a very healthy and balanced sugar with a high content of minerals and vitamins, without losing flavor.
Some individuals also state that kokuto is the healthiest type of sugar worldwide. Black tea of the best quality (like Assam or Ceylon) is utilized to prepare this beverage. Okinawa Milk Tea can be appreciated in any manner – warm, cool, or served with tapioca pearls in the form of boba tea.
What is Hokkaido Milk Tea?
Bubble milk tea in a plastic mug
Hokkaido Milk Tea is another special Japanese tea called after the region of its beginning. Hokkaido is the second biggest island in Japan and a popular visitor spot. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, widely called Nidanshi Milk, is a classic drink preferred amongst travelers and citizens alike.
This tea typically gets confused with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. Nonetheless, what is one-of-a-kind regarding the beverage is its method of preparation. Black tea of high quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is utilized with sugar and the special Hokkaido milk, which offers it its creamy taste.
Milk from Hokkaido is one-of-a-kind from other milk as the island gets on the northern most factor of Japan. Furthermore, it has the biggest meadows and also the best weather, making it a natural and also healthy and balanced area with the cleanest air– ideal for raising cattle. Thus, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker as well as creamier than normal milk.
Even though these 2 are different kinds of tea, Hokkaido and also Okinawa Milk Tea usually get confused with each other. Nonetheless, if you are an enthusiast who would want to attempt both these variants specifically, there are ways in which you can inform these drinks apart.
1. Methods of Prep work
Both the types of tea are ready in a similar way, however two particular things established them apart. Initially, Hokkaido Milk Tea is prepared with unique Hokkaido milk in the same way you prepare tea. Nevertheless, with Okinawa milk tea, you cook the kokuto until it ends up being less thick as a sweetener before adding it to the drink.
2. Taste
Both beverages have memorable, sweet flavors when it concerns taste. They can also be made to taste like each other.
Hokkaido Milk Tea has a rich, velvety texture and also is very thick due to the excellent quality of the milk. Since the black tea made use of for preparing it is also the finest, the leaves add a solid, baked taste to the beverage. Generally, you might discover the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like caramel with a minor tinge of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is additionally generally sweet, yet its flavor is dominated by black tea. Although the structure may likewise be thick, it will not be as velvety as Hokkaido Milk Tea, as the molasses are produced by kokuto. You may discover the flavor to be slightly toasted in general.
3. Origin
As suggested by their names, both the beverages are native to Japan. Hokkaido Milk Tea is native to Hokkaido – the 2nd biggest Island in Japan, which is famous for its excellent quality and quality of the fish and shellfish. Okinawa Milk Tea originates from Okinawa – a visitor spot famous for its unique food and also beaches.
4. Rate
Both the beverages might have comparable ingredients, yet the rarity of the ingredients which make them the beverages they are influences the expense of the tea. Hokkaido milk and its powder are pricey compared to kokuto, which can be replaced by routine brown sugar.
The price per 8oz mug of Okinawa Milk Tea is around $1.12, while the cost of Hokkaido Milk Tea for the exact same is $1.88. For that reason, as can be drawn from this info, Hokkaido Milk Tea gets on the extra costly side.
Putting Milk Into Glass
4. Nutrition
Although both kinds of tea are similar, they utilize various active ingredients belonging to a specific area, making their dietary profiles various. To help you understand the nutritional value of both these beverages, we have actually prepared the adhering to table.
NutrientOkinawa Milk TeaHokkaido Milk Tea
Calories294100
Fat 10 g1g
Calcium400 mg313 mg
Carbohydrates110 g33 g.
Cholesterol6 mg0 mg.
From the table, we can derive that although Hokkaido Milk Tea is sweet. Nevertheless, it is much healthier due to how organic as well as fresh Hokkaido milk is. As a result, it is definitely a healthier choice between both.
Last Thoughts.
There is a whole lot to discover in Japan – particularly when it pertains to outstanding food. Both the Hokkaido and Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you visit the nation. You can even attempt making the dish at home. These refreshing Japanese teas will certainly invigorate and de-stress you and offset a quick, loading treat.