Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea latte
Tea is integral to Japanese culture as well as the country’s most popular drink. The Japanese respect it so very that they even have a typical tea ceremony for it! They think the ceremony creates a bond in between the host and also the visitor welcomed for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings inner tranquility to both host and visitor.
Aside from its renowned matcha tea, Japan is additionally popular for its selection of milk tea – 2 of them being the Okinawa and Hokkaido milk tea. The primary distinction between them is their components. Okinawa milk tea utilizes a certain brownish sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea utilizes rich, creamy milk from within its region.
This article will certainly elaborate a lot more on distinguishing between these two types 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 drink that has a lot of variations across the globe. Remarkably, even the strange bubble tea is an example! Usually, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a pleasant and also milky taste owing to its base tea, which is royal milk tea (a mix that includes even more milk than the basic formula).
Its unique active ingredient is the kokuto, a brownish sugar native to the southerly area of Japan. Kokuto is ready noticeably compared to normal white sugar. It is made by food preparation sugarcane juice, an extremely healthy and balanced sweetener with a high web content of vitamins and minerals, without shedding flavor.
Some people also state that kokuto is the healthiest type of sugar on the planet. Black tea of the highest quality (like Assam or Ceylon) is used to prepare this beverage. Okinawa Milk Tea can be enjoyed in any manner – warm, cold, 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 one more special Japanese tea called after the area of its beginning. Hokkaido is the 2nd largest island in Japan and a renowned tourist area. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, widely called Nidanshi Milk, is a classic drink popular amongst travelers as well as residents alike.
This tea often obtains perplexed with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. Nevertheless, what is one-of-a-kind concerning the drink is its approach of preparation. Black tea of high quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is utilized with sweetener and also the unique Hokkaido milk, which gives it its creamy flavor.
Milk from Hokkaido is one-of-a-kind from other milk as the island gets on the northernmost factor of Japan. Moreover, it has the largest grasslands and the most effective weather condition, making it an all-natural and healthy and balanced area with the cleanest air– best for elevating cattle. Hence, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker as well as creamier than regular milk.
Even though these two are different type of tea, Hokkaido and also Okinawa Milk Tea usually get confused with each other. Nonetheless, if you are an enthusiast that would want to attempt both these variations especially, there are methods which you can tell these drinks apart.
1. Methods of Preparation
Both the sorts of tea are prepared similarly, however 2 certain things established them apart. Initially, Hokkaido Milk Tea is prepared with unique Hokkaido milk in the same way you prepare tea. Nonetheless, with Okinawa milk tea, you prepare the kokuto till it comes to be less thick as a sugar before including it to the beverage.
2. Taste
Both beverages have unforgettable, sweet tastes when it comes to taste. They can additionally be made to taste like each other.
Hokkaido Milk Tea has a rich, luscious structure and also is very thick as a result of the premium quality of the milk. Given that the black tea made use of for preparing it is additionally the finest, the fallen leaves add a strong, baked taste to the beverage. Generally, you could discover the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like caramel with a minor tint of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is also normally sweet, but its flavor is dominated by black tea. Although the structure might also be thick, it will not be as velvety as Hokkaido Milk Tea, as the molasses are developed by kokuto. You might find the taste to be somewhat toasted in general.
3. Beginning
As suggested by their names, both the beverages are belonging to Japan. Hokkaido Milk Tea is belonging to Hokkaido – the 2nd biggest Island in Japan, which is famous for its high quality as well as freshness of the fish and shellfish. Okinawa Milk Tea originates from Okinawa – a visitor place popular for its special cuisine as well as beaches.
4. Price
Both the drinks might have comparable components, yet the rarity of the components which make them the beverages they are impacts the expense of the tea. Hokkaido milk and its powder are expensive contrasted to kokuto, which can be replaced by normal brownish sugar.
The price per 8oz mug of Okinawa Milk Tea is around $1.12, while the cost of Hokkaido Milk Tea for the same is $1.88. Consequently, as can be drawn from this info, Hokkaido Milk Tea is on the more costly side.
Pouring Milk Into Glass
4. Nutrition
Although both sorts of tea are similar, they utilize different active ingredients native to a certain area, making their dietary profiles various. To help you comprehend 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 pleasant. Nonetheless, it is much healthier because of just how organic and also fresh Hokkaido milk is. For that reason, it is certainly a healthier selection in between the two.
Last Thoughts.
There is a great deal to find in Japan – especially when it comes to outstanding food. Both the Hokkaido and also Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you go to the country. You can also try making the recipe in your home. These revitalizing Japanese teas will certainly energize and de-stress you and offset a fast, filling up treat.