Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea latte
Tea is essential to Japanese society and also the country’s most preferred beverage. The Japanese regard it so very that they also have a standard tea ceremony for it! They think the ceremony creates a bond between the host and the visitor welcomed for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings internal tranquility to both host and also visitor.
In addition to its popular matcha tea, Japan is also well known for its range of milk tea – 2 of them being the Okinawa as well as Hokkaido milk tea. The primary difference in between them is their active ingredients. Okinawa milk tea makes use of a details brown sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea makes use of abundant, velvety milk from within its region.
This write-up will certainly elaborate much more on comparing these two 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 creamy drink that has a great deal of variations across the world. Interestingly, also the peculiar bubble tea is a sample! Typically, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a pleasant and milky flavor owing to its base tea, which is imperial milk tea (a blend that includes more milk than the conventional formula).
Its special component is the kokuto, a brown sugar native to the southerly region of Japan. Kokuto is ready clearly contrasted to routine white sugar. It is made by food preparation sugarcane juice, an extremely healthy and balanced sweetener with a high content of nutrients, without losing flavor.
Some individuals also specify that kokuto is the healthiest type of sugar in the world. Black tea of the highest quality (like Assam or Ceylon) is utilized to prepare this drink. Okinawa Milk Tea can be appreciated in any manner – hot, cold, or served with pudding pearls in the form of boba tea.
What is Hokkaido Milk Tea?
Bubble milk tea in a plastic mug
Hokkaido Milk Tea is another unique Japanese tea called after the region of its origin. Hokkaido is the second largest island in Japan and a renowned tourist spot. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, popularly called Nidanshi Milk, is a traditional beverage popular amongst vacationers as well as residents alike.
This tea typically obtains perplexed with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. Nevertheless, what is one-of-a-kind concerning the drink is its method of prep work. Black tea of excellent quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is used with sweetener and also the unique Hokkaido milk, which provides it its velvety taste.
Milk from Hokkaido is special from other milk as the island is on the northern most point of Japan. In addition, it has the biggest grasslands as well as the most effective weather, making it a natural and also healthy location with the cleanest air– best for elevating livestock. Thus, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker as well as creamier than routine milk.
Although these two are various kinds of tea, Hokkaido and Okinawa Milk Tea often get perplexed with each other. Nonetheless, if you are a fanatic who would intend to try both these variants particularly, there are ways in which you can tell these beverages apart.
1. Techniques of Prep work
Both the types of tea are prepared in a similar way, however 2 certain things set them apart. Initially, Hokkaido Milk Tea is prepared with special Hokkaido milk in the same way you prepare tea. Nevertheless, with Okinawa milk tea, you prepare the kokuto until it becomes less dense as a sugar prior to adding it to the beverage.
2. Preference
Both beverages have memorable, sweet tastes when it pertains to taste. They can additionally be made to taste like each other.
Hokkaido Milk Tea has an abundant, luscious structure and also is really thick as a result of the top quality of the milk. Because the black tea used for preparing it is additionally the finest, the fallen leaves add a solid, baked flavor to the drink. Generally, you might locate the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like sugar with a minor shade of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is also normally pleasant, yet its taste is controlled by black tea. Although the structure may also be thick, it will not be as creamy as Hokkaido Milk Tea, as the molasses are created by kokuto. You could discover the flavor to be somewhat toasted in general.
3. Origin
As recommended by their names, both the drinks are belonging to Japan. Hokkaido Milk Tea is native to Hokkaido – the 2nd largest Island in Japan, which is well-known for its high quality and also quality of the fish and shellfish. Okinawa Milk Tea comes from Okinawa – a traveler place well-known for its special food as well as beaches.
4. Cost
Both the drinks might have comparable active ingredients, yet the rarity of the components that make them the beverages they are impacts the cost of the tea. Hokkaido milk as well as its powder are pricey compared to kokuto, which can be replaced by normal brownish sugar.
The cost 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 is on the extra pricey side.
Pouring Milk Into Glass
4. Nourishment
Although both kinds of tea are similar, they make use of different components native to a particular location, making their dietary profiles different. To assist you understand the dietary value of both these drinks, we have actually prepared the following 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. However, it is much healthier because of how organic and also fresh Hokkaido milk is. Therefore, it is most definitely a healthier option between the two.
Final Thoughts.
There is a great deal to discover in Japan – especially when it involves outstanding food. Both the Hokkaido and Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you go to the country. You can also attempt making the recipe in your home. These revitalizing Japanese teas will energize as well as de-stress you and also make up for a fast, filling treat.