Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea cappucino
Tea is indispensable to Japanese culture and the country’s most prominent drink. The Japanese respect it so highly that they even have a standard tea ceremony for it! They believe the rite produces a bond between the host as well as the guest invited for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings internal tranquility to both host and guest.
In addition to its well-known matcha tea, Japan is likewise well known for its variety of milk tea – two of them being the Okinawa as well as Hokkaido milk tea. The major difference between them is their active ingredients. Okinawa milk tea uses a specific brown sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea utilizes rich, creamy milk from within its region.
This article will clarify extra on distinguishing between these 2 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 beverage that has a lot of variations throughout the globe. Surprisingly, also the strange bubble tea is an example! Normally, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a pleasant and also milky flavor owing to its base tea, which is imperial milk tea (a blend that includes more milk than the standard formula).
Its unique active ingredient is the kokuto, a brown sugar native to the southern region of Japan. Kokuto is prepared distinctly contrasted to regular white sugar. It is made by food preparation sugarcane juice, a very healthy sugar with a high material of minerals and vitamins, without shedding flavor.
Some individuals also state that kokuto is the healthiest kind of sugar worldwide. Black tea of the finest (like Assam or Ceylon) is made use of to prepare this drink. Okinawa Milk Tea can be appreciated in any manner – hot, chilly, 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 another special Japanese tea named after the area of its origin. Hokkaido is the second biggest island in Japan and also a well-known visitor place. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, popularly called Nidanshi Milk, is a traditional beverage popular among visitors as well as citizens alike.
This tea commonly obtains perplexed with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. However, what is special regarding the beverage is its technique of prep work. Black tea of top quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is used with sugar and also the special Hokkaido milk, which offers it its velvety taste.
Milk from Hokkaido is distinct from various other milk as the island is on the northern most factor of Japan. Moreover, it has the largest grasslands and the most effective climate, making it a natural and healthy and balanced place with the cleanest air– best for raising cattle. For this reason, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker as well as creamier than routine milk.
Although these two are different type of tea, Hokkaido and also Okinawa Milk Tea commonly get confused with each other. Nevertheless, if you are a fanatic who would want to attempt both these variations particularly, there are methods which you can tell these drinks apart.
1. Techniques of Preparation
Both the types of tea are prepared similarly, but 2 details points established them apart. First, 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 up until it becomes much less thick as a sugar prior to adding it to the drink.
2. Taste
Both beverages have unforgettable, pleasant tastes when it involves taste. They can likewise be made to taste like each other.
Hokkaido Milk Tea has a rich, luscious texture and also is really thick because of the high quality of the milk. Because the black tea made use of for preparing it is also the finest, the leaves add a solid, roasted taste to the drink. Generally, you could discover the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like sugar with a mild tint of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is also generally pleasant, yet its taste is dominated by black tea. Although the appearance might likewise be thick, it will not be as velvety as Hokkaido Milk Tea, as the molasses are developed by kokuto. You may discover the flavor to be somewhat toasted generally.
3. Origin
As suggested by their names, both the beverages are belonging to Japan. Hokkaido Milk Tea is native to Hokkaido – the 2nd largest Island in Japan, which is well-known for its top quality and quality of the fish and shellfish. Okinawa Milk Tea originates from Okinawa – a tourist place famous for its unique cuisine as well as beaches.
4. Price
Both the drinks may have similar ingredients, however the rarity of the active ingredients that make them the beverages they are influences the expense of the tea. Hokkaido milk and also its powder are costly compared to kokuto, which can be replaced by regular brownish sugar.
The expense 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. As a result, as can be drawn from this details, Hokkaido Milk Tea gets on the much more costly side.
Pouring Milk Into Glass
4. Nourishment
Although both sorts of tea are comparable, they use various active ingredients native to a specific area, making their dietary accounts various. To aid you comprehend the dietary value of both these drinks, we have prepared the complying with 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. Nonetheless, it is much healthier because of just how organic as well as fresh Hokkaido milk is. As a result, it is definitely a much healthier choice between both.
Final Thoughts.
There is a lot to find in Japan – specifically when it comes to remarkable food. Both the Hokkaido and Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you check out the country. You can even try making the dish in the house. These refreshing Japanese teas will certainly energize and de-stress you and also offset a fast, filling snack.