Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea cappucino
Tea is important to Japanese society and also the country’s most preferred beverage. The Japanese regard it so highly that they also have a conventional tea ceremony for it! They believe the rite produces a bond in between the host and the guest invited for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings internal peace to both host and guest.
In addition to its famous matcha tea, Japan is likewise popular for its variety of milk tea – 2 of them being the Okinawa as well as Hokkaido milk tea. The primary difference in between them is their components. Okinawa milk tea makes use of a specific brown sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea makes use of rich, luscious milk from within its area.
This article will certainly elaborate much more on comparing these two sorts 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 lot of variations across the world. Remarkably, also the strange bubble tea is an example! Usually, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a wonderful and also milklike flavor owing to its base tea, which is imperial milk tea (a blend that includes more milk than the standard formula).
Its special active ingredient is the kokuto, a brownish sugar belonging to the southern area of Japan. Kokuto is prepared distinctly contrasted to routine white sugar. It is made by cooking sugarcane juice, an extremely healthy and balanced sugar with a high web content of vitamins and minerals, without losing flavor.
Some people also specify that kokuto is the healthiest form of sugar worldwide. Black tea of the best (like Assam or Ceylon) is used to prepare this beverage. Okinawa Milk Tea can be appreciated in any manner – hot, cool, or offered 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 one more unique Japanese tea named after the region of its origin. Hokkaido is the second biggest island in Japan as well as a well-known tourist place. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, widely called Nidanshi Milk, is a timeless drink prominent among tourists and citizens alike.
This tea frequently gets confused with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. Nonetheless, what is special regarding the beverage is its approach of prep work. Black tea of high quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is utilized with sweetener and the special Hokkaido milk, which offers it its velvety flavor.
Milk from Hokkaido is special from other milk as the island is on the northern most factor of Japan. Additionally, it has the largest grasslands and the most effective weather, making it an all-natural and healthy location with the cleanest air– excellent for elevating cattle. For this reason, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker and creamier than routine milk.
Although these two are different sort of tea, Hokkaido and Okinawa Milk Tea usually get perplexed with each other. Nevertheless, if you are a lover that would certainly want to attempt both these variants particularly, there are methods which you can tell these beverages apart.
1. Methods of Preparation
Both the types of tea are prepared likewise, but two details points set them apart. First, Hokkaido Milk Tea is prepared with special Hokkaido milk in the same way you prepare tea. Nonetheless, with Okinawa milk tea, you prepare the kokuto till it ends up being less dense as a sweetener before adding it to the beverage.
2. Preference
Both beverages have memorable, pleasant flavors when it involves taste. They can also be made to taste like each other.
Hokkaido Milk Tea has an abundant, luscious structure and is really thick as a result of the excellent quality of the milk. Considering that the black tea used for preparing it is additionally the finest, the leaves add a strong, roasted taste to the drink. Overall, you might find the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like sugar with a small tinge of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is also typically pleasant, 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 created by kokuto. You could find the taste to be somewhat toasted on the whole.
3. Beginning
As recommended by their names, both the beverages are native to Japan. Hokkaido Milk Tea is native to Hokkaido – the 2nd largest Island in Japan, which is famous for its top quality as well as freshness of the seafood. Okinawa Milk Tea originates from Okinawa – a vacationer spot popular for its distinct cuisine and beaches.
4. Price
Both the drinks might have similar components, yet the rarity of the active 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 changed by routine brownish sugar.
The cost per 8oz cup 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 details, Hokkaido Milk Tea gets on the extra costly side.
Pouring Milk Into Glass
4. Nourishment
Although both kinds of tea are similar, they use different components belonging to a particular location, making their dietary accounts different. To help you understand the nutritional worth 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 acquire that although Hokkaido Milk Tea is pleasant. However, it is much healthier as a result of how organic as well as fresh Hokkaido milk is. For that reason, it is definitely a healthier choice between both.
Last Thoughts.
There is a lot to find in Japan – especially when it pertains to remarkable food. Both the Hokkaido and Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you check out the nation. You can even attempt making the recipe in the house. These refreshing Japanese teas will certainly stimulate and also de-stress you and also offset a quick, filling up treat.