When it comes to the topic of tea with milk, opinion is often very much divided: Many tea enthusiasts drink their tea straight and would never dream of adding milk or cream. Others – and by no means just the Brits – prefer to refine black tea with a little milk, even though this might neutralise any potential health effects of specific substances.
We think everyone should drink tea however they like it. With milk, cream, sugar or sweetener, a dash of lemon juice or simply straight. Nevertheless, or precisely for that reason, we address the controversial topic of tea with milk in this article, refer to its history and taste and give a few tips on which types of tea are suitable and which aren’t.
There are so many answers to this question, such as: to protect the porcelain or to make a tasty hot drink with less expensive tea leaves. However, it’s probably more likely that so many connoisseurs drink tea – just like coffee – with milk because that’s simply how they like it.
And why do the British drink tea with milk? Probably for the same reason, but the British tend to take the taste question more seriously as there are two fractions: the MIFs (milk in first) and the TIFs (tea in first). We’re not sure whether it really does make a fundamental difference, but in the UK the order is highly controversial and often discussed very passionately.
There are so many answers to this question, such as: to protect the porcelain or to make a tasty hot drink with less expensive tea leaves. However, it’s probably more likely that so many connoisseurs drink tea – just like coffee – with milk because that’s simply how they like it.
And why do the British drink tea with milk? Probably for the same reason, but the British tend to take the taste question more seriously as there are two fractions: the MIFs (milk in first) and the TIFs (tea in first). We’re not sure whether it really does make a fundamental difference, but in the UK the order is highly controversial and often discussed very passionately.
A study conducted by cardiologists at the Charité hospital in Berlin revealed that adding milk to black tea increases its health benefits. This comes from the tannins in tea, which not only cater for the slightly bitter taste, but as antioxidants they prevent arteriosclerosis by widening the arteries. The milk protein casein hinders that all when it binds with the tannins, which in turn neutralises the positive health benefits. However, other studies suggest that milk only delays the absorption of tannins, i.e. it takes longer until the body can metabolise them.
So, if you drink black tea primarily or only because of its positive health benefits, then you should think about whether you really do need to add milk or cream and instead drink the tea black. However, if tea for you is all about the pleasure and taste, then you should not let that stop you rounding off your tea with milk or cream to taste.
It’s up to you whether you put milk in the cup first and then the brewed tea or vice versa. The British Standards Institute (BSI) recommends first steeping tea for 3 to 5 minutes and then transferring it directly to a cup or teapot.
However, when it comes to the East Frisian tea ceremony, you first place a lump of rock sugar into your cup, then pour in the hot tea and finish by adding a splash of cream in a circular motion – as stirring is taboo for the Frisians.
We recommend using fresh milk with 1.5% or 3.5% fat content and to heat it to room temperature before adding it to the tea. A small milk jug that can accommodate enough milk for a whole teapot does the job perfectly.
Let the tea steep for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on taste and type, and then transfer the brewed tea to a clean glass or porcelain teapot preheated with hot water. Or use a tea egg or infuser so you can easily remove the tea leaves from the brewed tea. Don't forget: the longer the tea steeps, the more intense the aroma becomes and the more tannins are released.
A study conducted by cardiologists at the Charité hospital in Berlin revealed that adding milk to black tea increases its health benefits. This comes from the tannins in tea, which not only cater for the slightly bitter taste, but as antioxidants they prevent arteriosclerosis by widening the arteries. The milk protein casein hinders that all when it binds with the tannins, which in turn neutralises the positive health benefits. However, other studies suggest that milk only delays the absorption of tannins, i.e. it takes longer until the body can metabolise them.
So, if you drink black tea primarily or only because of its positive health benefits, then you should think about whether you really do need to add milk or cream and instead drink the tea black. However, if tea for you is all about the pleasure and taste, then you should not let that stop you rounding off your tea with milk or cream to taste.
It’s up to you whether you put milk in the cup first and then the brewed tea or vice versa. The British Standards Institute (BSI) recommends first steeping tea for 3 to 5 minutes and then transferring it directly to a cup or teapot.
However, when it comes to the East Frisian tea ceremony, you first place a lump of rock sugar into your cup, then pour in the hot tea and finish by adding a splash of cream in a circular motion – as stirring is taboo for the Frisians.
We recommend using fresh milk with 1.5% or 3.5% fat content and to heat it to room temperature before adding it to the tea. A small milk jug that can accommodate enough milk for a whole teapot does the job perfectly.
Let the tea steep for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on taste and type, and then transfer the brewed tea to a clean glass or porcelain teapot preheated with hot water. Or use a tea egg or infuser so you can easily remove the tea leaves from the brewed tea. Don't forget: the longer the tea steeps, the more intense the aroma becomes and the more tannins are released.
In principle, you can drink any black, non-flavoured tea with milk to enhance the taste. You can even serve green tea with milk, for instance as chai latte enriched with more spices and aromas.
But when it comes to flavoured teas and fruit teas, you should be more cautious and check the packaging to see whether the manufacturer recommends drinking that specific tea with milk. Because many aromas can taste very different when combined with tea or the acids in tea can even make milk flocculate, as is the case with fruit teas. However, one exception is Earl Grey, a flavoured black tea, which is often drunk in the UK at tea time, preferably with milk.
The following teas go well with milk:
• Assam
• Ceylon
• Chai
• Earl Grey
• Rooibos and Honeybush
In principle, you can drink any black, non-flavoured tea with milk to enhance the taste. You can even serve green tea with milk, for instance as chai latte enriched with more spices and aromas.
But when it comes to flavoured teas and fruit teas, you should be more cautious and check the packaging to see whether the manufacturer recommends drinking that specific tea with milk. Because many aromas can taste very different when combined with tea or the acids in tea can even make milk flocculate, as is the case with fruit teas. However, one exception is Earl Grey, a flavoured black tea, which is often drunk in the UK at tea time, preferably with milk.
The following teas go well with milk:
• Assam
• Ceylon
• Chai
• Earl Grey
• Rooibos and Honeybush
Adding milk does in fact change the taste of tea. Strong black tea in particular loses its edge when a little milk is added, it tastes smoother and more well-rounded. However, it is not our intention to give the impression that milkless tea doesn’t taste good – take for instance the Arab world where black tea has been drunk strong with lots of sugar and without milk for thousands of years.
So we recommend: try both versions with your favourite tea. See what it tastes like without milk and how the taste changes when you add a splash of milk to your cup. This will help you find your preference and you might even start drinking specific teas with milk while enjoying others straight.
Traditional tea time is often celebrated between 4 and 5 pm in Great Britain, but it is then called Afternoon Tea or Low Tea (as it was customary to serve tea on a low table in the living room). Because for a true Brit, tea time is anytime.
Adding milk does in fact change the taste of tea. Strong black tea in particular loses its edge when a little milk is added, it tastes smoother and more well-rounded. However, it is not our intention to give the impression that milkless tea doesn’t taste good – take for instance the Arab world where black tea has been drunk strong with lots of sugar and without milk for thousands of years.
So we recommend: try both versions with your favourite tea. See what it tastes like without milk and how the taste changes when you add a splash of milk to your cup. This will help you find your preference and you might even start drinking specific teas with milk while enjoying others straight.
Traditional tea time is often celebrated between 4 and 5 pm in Great Britain, but it is then called Afternoon Tea or Low Tea (as it was customary to serve tea on a low table in the living room). Because for a true Brit, tea time is anytime.