Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea latte
Tea is indispensable to Japanese society and also the nation’s most prominent beverage. The Japanese respect it so highly that they also have a typical tea ceremony for it! They believe the ceremony creates a bond between the host as well as the guest welcomed for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings inner peace to both host as well as visitor.
Apart from its popular matcha tea, Japan is also well known for its variety of milk tea – two of them being the Okinawa as well as Hokkaido milk tea. The main distinction in between them is their ingredients. Okinawa milk tea uses a certain brownish sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea uses abundant, velvety milk from within its area.
This article will elaborate extra on distinguishing between these 2 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 velvety drink that has a great deal of variations across the world. Remarkably, even the peculiar bubble tea is an example! Usually, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a sweet as well as milky flavor owing to its base tea, which is imperial milk tea (a mix that includes even more milk than the standard formula).
Its special component is the kokuto, a brownish sugar belonging to the southern region of Japan. Kokuto is ready definitely contrasted to normal white sugar. It is made by cooking sugarcane juice, a very healthy and balanced sugar with a high content of vitamins and minerals, without losing flavor.
Some individuals even state that kokuto is the healthiest type of sugar in the world. Black tea of the finest (like Assam or Ceylon) is made use of to prepare this drink. Okinawa Milk Tea can be enjoyed in any manner – warm, cool, or offered with tapioca pearls in the form of boba tea.
What is Hokkaido Milk Tea?
Bubble milk tea in a plastic cup
Hokkaido Milk Tea is one more special Japanese tea called after the region of its origin. Hokkaido is the second largest island in Japan and a famous traveler spot. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, famously called Nidanshi Milk, is a classic beverage prominent among vacationers and citizens alike.
This tea usually obtains confused with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. Nonetheless, what is distinct regarding the beverage is its approach of prep work. Black tea of top quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is used with sugar and the unique Hokkaido milk, which gives it its creamy flavor.
Milk from Hokkaido is distinct from other milk as the island is on the northernmost point of Japan. In addition, it has the biggest meadows and also the most effective climate, making it an all-natural and healthy area with the cleanest air– ideal for elevating livestock. For this reason, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker and creamier than normal milk.
Despite the fact that these 2 are various kinds of tea, Hokkaido and also Okinawa Milk Tea commonly obtain puzzled with each other. Nevertheless, if you are a fanatic who would intend to attempt both these variations specifically, there are methods which you can tell these drinks apart.
1. Methods of Preparation
Both the sorts of tea are prepared similarly, yet 2 certain things set them apart. Initially, Hokkaido Milk Tea is prepared with special Hokkaido milk in the same way you prepare tea. However, with Okinawa milk tea, you cook the kokuto till it ends up being much less dense as a sweetener prior to including 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 an abundant, creamy texture and is very thick because of the high quality of the milk. Because the black tea utilized for preparing it is also the finest, the fallen leaves add a solid, roasted taste to the beverage. Generally, you might find the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like caramel with a mild shade of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is likewise generally wonderful, however its taste is dominated by black tea. Although the appearance may also be thick, it will certainly not be as luscious as Hokkaido Milk Tea, as the molasses are produced by kokuto. You may discover the taste to be slightly toasted on the whole.
3. Beginning
As recommended by their names, both the beverages are belonging to Japan. Hokkaido Milk Tea is native to Hokkaido – the second largest Island in Japan, which is famous for its excellent quality and also quality of the seafood. Okinawa Milk Tea comes from Okinawa – a visitor spot well-known for its one-of-a-kind cuisine and beaches.
4. Cost
Both the drinks may have similar active ingredients, yet the rarity of the active ingredients that make them the beverages they are influences the cost of the tea. Hokkaido milk as well as its powder are expensive compared to kokuto, which can be replaced by regular brown sugar.
The cost per 8oz mug of Okinawa Milk Tea is around $1.12, while the rate of Hokkaido Milk Tea for the exact same is $1.88. Therefore, as can be drawn from this details, Hokkaido Milk Tea gets on the much more expensive side.
Putting Milk Into Glass
4. Nutrition
Although both sorts of tea are similar, they utilize different active ingredients belonging to a particular location, making their nutritional profiles various. To help you recognize the dietary worth of both these beverages, we have 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. Nevertheless, it is much healthier as a result of exactly how organic as well as fresh Hokkaido milk is. Consequently, it is definitely a healthier selection in between both.
Last Thoughts.
There is a whole lot to discover in Japan – particularly when it pertains to amazing food. Both the Hokkaido and Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you see the country. You can even try making the recipe at home. These refreshing Japanese teas will certainly energize and also de-stress you as well as make up for a fast, loading snack.