Can You Steep Tea in Milk? Easy Guide - I Live for Greens (2024)

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Milk is a great option for steeping tea because it will help balance out the bitterness in strong teas. However, you don’t want to scald your milk so be careful when taking milk to a high temperature.

In this easy guide we will walk you through the process of steeping tea in milk and help you decide if this practice is right for you.

Can You Steep Tea in Milk? Easy Guide - I Live for Greens (1)

Table of Contents

What is steeping tea and why do it?

Steeping tea is the process of soaking tea leaves or bags in hot water to release their flavor. This is how you make a cup of tea!

There are many different ways to steep tea, and steeping in milk is just one method. Some people steep their tea in milk because it mellows out the flavors of strong teas, like black tea. Steeping tea in milk can also change the color and texture of your brew, making for a richer cup of tea.

I personally love the taste of tea steeped in milk, and we often will do this when making boba tea, such as Tiger Milk Tea. (If you haven’t tried this – you are missing out!)

The benefits of steeping tea in milk

Steeping tea in milk has a few benefits:

1. It can change the flavor of your tea – usually for the better! Milk helps to mellow out strong flavors and can make a cup of tea taste less bitter. If you choose a weaker tea you won’t taste it as much, but it will still give you a nice mellow tea.

2. It can change the color of your tea – milk-steeped tea is usually a bit lighter in color than water-steeped tea.

3. It can change the texture of your tea – milk-steeped tea is usually smoother and creamier than water-steeped tea.

4. It can provide a boost of protein and calcium – if you are using dairy milk, that is. Soy milk, almond milk, and other plant-based milks will not have the same effect unless they are fortified (which many are).

How to steep the perfect cup of tea in milk

Steeping tea in milk is similar to steeping tea in water, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

1. Heat your milk to just below boiling. If you let it boil, the milk will start to separate and you’ll end up with a cup of tea with chunks of milk in it. Not ideal.

2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of loose tea leaves or 1 tea bag per cup of milk.

3. Steep for 3-5 minutes. This will depend on how strong you like your tea and what type of tea you are using. I generally steep black teas for 3-5 minutes, green tea or oolong tea for 2-3 minutes, white tea for 1-2 minutes, and herbal tea for 5-7 minutes.

4. Strain the tea leaves or remove tea bag and enjoy!

The best type of milk for steeping tea

Can You Steep Tea in Milk? Easy Guide - I Live for Greens (2)

The best type of milk for steeping tea is really up to you. I personally like to use whole milk because it gives the tea a nice richness, but you can use any type of milk you like.

Whole Milk

Whole milk is a great choice because it has a high fat content, which makes for a delicously creamy cup of tea. You can use full-fat cow’s milk or even goat milk to steep your tea.

Reduced Fat Milk

Reduced fat milk, also known as 2% milk, is a good choice if you are looking to cut down on calories but still want a rich cup of tea.

Nonfat Milk

Nonfat milk, also known as skim milk, is the best choice if you are looking to make a low fat cup of tea. Nonfat milk will still give you a creamy cup of tea, but it won’t be as rich as whole milk or reduced fat milk.

Soy Milk

Soy milk is a great choice for those who are looking for a dairy-free option. Soy milk is also very versatile – you can use it to make sweet tea or unsweetened tea. It also has a higher protein content than a lot of other nondairy milks!

Almond Milk

Almond milk is another dairy-free option that works well for steeping tea. Almond milk has a nutty flavor that can change the flavor of your tea, so keep that in mind when choosing this milk.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a delicious dairy-free option, but it has a very strong coconut flavor that can overwhelm the flavor of your tea. If you choose to use coconut milk, I would recommend using it with a milder tea so the flavor of the coconut milk doesn’t overpower the flavor of the tea.

Pretty much any nondairy milk can be used to steep your tea. Just be aware that these types of milk can scald faster than dairy milk, so keep a close eye on your nondairy milk and stir frequently.

Tips for perfecting your cup of tea steeped with milk

1. Use whole milk for a richer cup of tea, or an extra creamy nondairy variety (we love Chobani Extra Creamy Plain Oat Milk for most everything nondairy).

2. If you find your tea is too milky, try using less milk next time. You can always steep your tea in a combination of milk and water.

3. If you find your tea is not milky enough, try using a milk with a higher fat content (or even cream) next time.

4. Experiment with different teas to see which ones you like best steeped in milk. I personally love black teas, especially Assam and Earl Grey, steeped in milk.

5. Don’t let your milk boil! Bringing milk to a rolling boil will make it separate and give your tea a weird texture. I think milk is disgusting when it separates.

7. Steep for the recommended time (see above) or to your desired strength – brewing for too long will make your tea bitter.

Recipes that Use Milk-Steeped Tea

Can You Steep Tea in Milk? Easy Guide - I Live for Greens (3)

There are plenty of recipes that use milk-steeped tea as an ingredient. Some of these teas are traditionally steeped in water and have added milk, but you can steep these directly in milk.

Chai Tea Latte: This popular latte is made by steeping black tea in milk and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.

Golden Milk: Golden milk is a turmeric-infused milk that is said to have many health benefits. It’s easy to make at home by steeping turmeric, ginger, and black pepper in milk.

Matcha Latte: Matcha is a powder made from ground green tea leaves. It’s traditionally prepared by whisking the powder with hot water, but you can also make a latte by whisking the powder with hot milk.

Iced Tea Latte: Iced tea is usually made by steeping tea in water and then adding ice, but you can also make it by steeping tea in milk and then adding ice. This method results in a richer, creamier iced tea.

Tiger Milk Bubble Tea: Tiger milk is a type of bubble tea that is made by steeping black tea in milk and adding boba pearls and a swirl of brown sugar syrup that makes the sides of the glass look like tiger stripes.

Really, any type of milk tea that usually steeps in water and then adds milk can be simply steeped in milk. I’ve tried several this way and they’ve always turned out delicious.

I really enjoy the creaminess you get from just using milk in your tea without water. It’s definitely a different experience – and one that I love! We use different kinds of milk tea along with tapioca pearls for some great bubble tea at home.

Common Questions about Steeping Tea in Milk

How long should you steep tea in milk?

The same amount of steep time you use for your tea in water. For most teas this will be somewhere between 1 to 5 minutes, but some herbal teas may have you steep for longer – up to 10 minutes or more. Different types of tea need different steep times. Steep a tea bag in milk longer than loose leaf tea.

Can you put a tea bag in milk?

Yes, you can use a teabag when steeping tea in milk. Just be aware that the bag may not completely infuse the milk with flavor, so you may want to steep for a longer period of time, and I recommend using a strong tea with milk for best results. With weaker teas you might need an extra tea bag unless your tea has a strong flavor.

What kind of milk can you use to steep tea?

You can use whole regular milk, 2%, skim, soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and really any other type of milk. Just be aware that some types of milk will scald faster than others, so keep a close eye on your milk and stir frequently. Almost any milk of your choice will work for whole leaf tea, loose tea blends and tea bags. Adjust the amount of tea and brewing time as needed.

Can you steep tea in cold milk?

Yes, you can steep cold brew milk tea in cold milk, but it will take longer for the tea to infuse the milk with flavor. I would recommend steeping for at least 5 minutes, or even up to 10 minutes, if you’re using cold milk. Some cold brew teas even need to be refrigerated overnight, just like when you brew tea with cold water. Iced milk tea is also delicous.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! You can steep tea in milk, and it can actually be quite delicious. Just be careful not to let your milk boil, and you’ll be well on your way to a rich and creamy cup of tea.

Now that you know all about steeping tea in milk, go forth and experiment! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Can You Steep Tea in Milk? Easy Guide - I Live for Greens (2024)

FAQs

Can you steep green tea in milk? ›

Tea can brew in milk (or pretty much any other liquid)

All steeping really does is transfer the goodness from the tea leaf to the water (or other liquid). Water just happens to be the preferred liquid due to its neutral taste and abundance in modern society.

What happens if you steep tea in milk? ›

The benefits of steeping tea in milk

It can change the flavor of your tea – usually for the better! Milk helps to mellow out strong flavors and can make a cup of tea taste less bitter. If you choose a weaker tea you won't taste it as much, but it will still give you a nice mellow tea.

How long do you steep green tea for milk tea? ›

That's why it's crucial to understand how long tea leaves should be steeping in water. Although the duration ranges depending on cultures and customer preferences, delicate teas such as green tea generally have shorter brewing times around 8-10 minutes.

Can you take green tea with milk? ›

Milk does decrease the health benefits of green tea, but there are still good elements of tea you get even when adding milk to your green tea. Choose soy milk over cow's milk, matcha over loose leaf sencha to get maximum benefit. But over all, it is not “BAD” for you if you drink green tea with milk.

Is it harmful to boil tea in milk? ›

While adding milk to your tea may look like the perfect option for you, it may just be unhealthy. Adding milk to tea may not have severe reactions, but it may hamper your system. According to Macrobiotic Health Coach Shilpa Arora, "Milk makes tea acidic.

Does milk reduce the effect of green tea? ›

In one human trial with green tea, although ECGC, green tea's most-researched compound, was not completely blocked, it was reduced about 30 percent. However, the milk did not decrease the absorption of all types of catechin polyphenols found in green tea.

Which tea is best with milk? ›

Milk generally goes well with all pure teas or blends that have chocolaty, creamy, smoky, nutty, toasty, malty, vanilla and spicy notes. Some teas with fruity or citrusy notes may pair well with milk too, for example Earl Grey. Try to match flavor notes in your tea with milk flavor.

How do you steep tea with milk? ›

How To Brew Tea Directly In Milk:
  1. Pour 1 cup of milk into a small pot.
  2. Add 2 heaping teaspoons of loose tea directly to the milk.
  3. Simmer (do not let boil) on a stovetop on low heat for 10 minutes.
  4. Strain and enjoy a delicious cup of smooth and silky tea!

What happens if you drink a lot of milk tea? ›

Drinking tea, especially milk based tea can make you feel nauseated, this is due to the presence of tannins, which irritates the digestive tissue and leads to bloating, discomfort, stomach ache.

Can you steep tea in milk instead of water? ›

Steeping tea in milk is a great way to enjoy big tea flavor, but it does not yield the same results as a strong brew in water. Why not? Heating milk to 212°F is not recommended. Temperatures above 181° can scald and scorch the milk and change its flavor.

What happens if you steep green tea too long? ›

Steep the tea for too long, and you'll end up with an unpleasantly strong, bitter cup. Steep the tea for too short a time, and you'll have a weak, flavorless cup of tea. Making matters even more complicated, different teas require different steep times in order to bring out their best flavor.

Is it better to steep green tea in hot or cold water? ›

Benefits of Cold Brewing Green Tea

Cold brewing tea extracts less caffeine into the tea — Using cold water extracts less caffeine overall into the brew. Less bitter than hot-brewed tea — Aside from caffeine, cold brewing tea also releases less catechins and tannins into the brew, which makes the tea less bitter.

What tea Cannot be mixed with milk? ›

In general, never add milk to Japanese green teas or oolong as it is too complex. White teas are also too delicate. Fruit teas are tricky as they're strong enough, but the sweetness is sharp, resulting in a sour taste when combined with milk.

Why you should not add milk to tea? ›

Tea, especially black and green varieties, is rich in compounds that act as antioxidants and may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, among other benefits. Some studies suggest that adding milk to tea may inhibit the activity of these compounds, while others have observed the opposite effect.

Can milk tea cause high blood pressure? ›

Moderate doses improve immunity, cognition, nervous system function, circulation, and cardiovascular health. However, milk tea's calming effects can lead to either high blood pressure from the increased heart rate it induces or low blood pressure from the heart rate it regulates.

Why you shouldn't boil milk? ›

Boiling milk is known to significantly lessen milk's nutritional value. Studies have found that while boiling milk eliminated bacteria from raw milk, it also greatly reduced its whey protein levels.

Who should not drink green tea? ›

People with peptic ulcers or acid reflux should not consume green tea excessively. A 1984 study concluded that tea is a potent stimulant of gastric acid, which can be reduced by adding milk and sugar. 2.

Does tea with milk increase blood sugar? ›

The reason behind it is that the animal milk that we use to prepare tea contains some IGF molecules which increase sugar. After that, if a person adds sugar to the tea, it further raises the level of sugar and the drink becomes unhealthy for a diabetes patient. If you're diabetic, you may want to avoid milk-based teas.

How much milk do I put in green tea? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1-2 Tbsp. green tea (loose leaf tea) – 1 tsp. if using tea powder (or 2 tea bags)
  2. 1 Cup water.
  3. A splash of milk of choice.
  4. sweetener of choice (optional)
Apr 19, 2022

Is milk tea healthier than coffee? ›

Both tea and coffee have their own benefits and drawbacks. However, in any case, tea is a healthier choice than coffee. But this does not mean that you go ahead and have 5-6 cups every day. If you want to stay healthy, do not consume more than two cups of tea in a day.

Is tea with milk healthy? ›

5 health benefits of having tea with milk

Provides strength to the body: Tea is rich in antioxidants, and milk is rich in calcium, potassium, and vitamins D and B12, which are important for healthy bones and muscles.

Can green tea lower your blood pressure? ›

The overall outcome of the meta-analysis suggested that green tea consumption significantly decrease systolic blood pressure (SBP) level by −1.98 mmHg (95% CI: −2.94, −1.01 mmHg; P < 0.001).

Can you infuse tea in cold milk? ›

Start by making cold brew milk tea. Fill a jar with almond milk and add Earl Grey tea bags or loose tea. Close the lid and refrigerate overnight, or for 12 to 16 hours. After that time, remove tea bags, or strain cold brew tea if using loose Earl Grey.

Do you add milk before or after steeping tea? ›

The answer is: In a formal setting, milk is poured after the tea. You may have heard or read that milk precedes the tea into the cup but this is not the case. You do not put milk in before tea because then you cannot judge the strength of the tea by its color and aroma.

Can you just add milk to tea? ›

Any bold black tea would be a good candidate for adding milk, but we recommend that all teas should be tasted without any additives first, to get a good idea of the flavor. If after tasting you decide to add milk, great! You should enjoy teas any way you like them. But be sure to taste them without milk first.

Is it OK to drink milk tea everyday? ›

According to a medical study, drinking milk tea too often can result in diabetes and other health issues. The following are some negative consequences that you might experience: Anxiety.

Is 1 cup of milk tea a day good for you? ›

A known booster of energy, drinking several cups of milk tea may result in increasing your blood pressure and have your heart racing. Hence opt for 1-2 cups per day and to make sure better absorption of antioxidants, opt for black tea without milk or add some lemon juice to improve the taste.

How many cups of milk tea a day is healthy? ›

Most people can drink 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses. Most of the known side effects associated with drinking tea are related to its caffeine and tannin contents. Some people are more sensitive to these compounds than others.

Can you brew tea with milk instead of water? ›

Yes, you can use milk and tea powder to make tea. But you would need to add a lot more tea powder to get the color and flavor. Diluting 1 part milk with 1 part water will give good quality tea.

Why does my tea look weird when I add milk? ›

First, your milk could be a bit on the old side, which would mean that your milk was already curdling on its own. The second option is that something in your tea is acidic, and is reacting with your milk, causing it to curdle. Some obvious offenders would be strong lemon teas, or other citrusy blends.

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