Everyone knows about “café au lait,” but what about milk and tea? Do they go together? What are the “rules” for what you can add to tea? What types of milk go best? It is 2020 after all, and this is no longer a question of just dairy milk. There’s almond, soy, oat, goat, cashew, rice, coconut, hemp milk, and many more! If you’ve never heard of half of those, don’t worry. They’re not for everyone, but who knows, maybe you’d enjoy one or two in your tea. Here’s what you need to know about the best tea and milk combinations.
Black Tea
Think about black tea just like you’d think about coffee — milk works great! The trick for a tea that goes well with milk is the strength. A stronger tea will always balance out the milk better than a weaker tea. Furthermore, creamer milks will go better with teas. Thus, whole dairy milk is your best bet. If you’re dairy free then you should opt for either almond or cashew milk which replicates the creaminess of whole dairy milk.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea can be enjoyed with or without milk according to the drinker’s preference. Some love it as is and others enjoy it with honey and milk. Whole dairy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, and soy milk are all on the table, so be sure to try it a couple of different ways to learn your preference. If you enjoy it sweetened with milk, it can make a nice holiday treat!
Green Tea
Green tea is not a tea that is taken with milk either. It is generally considered too astringent and “grassy” for milk. Furthermore, drinking green tea with milk can also change some of the benefits it provides. This is because it inhibits the chemical makeup and the bioavailability of the catechins. By adding milk, you ultimately decrease the antioxidants. Leaving it be will allow you to take advantage of all these health benefits.
Earl Grey Tea
Traditionally, Earl Grey tea does not take any milk. In England, it is commonly sweetened and then lemon is added. In the United States, drinkers may occasionally add milk, but most still prefer to drink it plain.
English Breakfast Tea
English breakfast tea is one that can accommodate milk if you prefer! This is one that often draws debate because some drinkers prefer it with and some without. However, if you do add it, you should look to those creamier milks like whole milk and almond or cashew.
Herbal and Fruit Teas
There are a wide variety of fruit and herbal teas, so this group encompasses a fairly wide category that do not require any milk or sugar. For most, it would seem to be a bit of an odd combination if you did (think of adding milk to orange juice!).
So, What’s The Verdict?
Milk in tea is always up to the drinker’s preference, and some individuals always take their tea black. If you are going to take milk in your tea, you should make sure it’s a strong tea so that the milk doesn’t drown out the flavor and ensure that it is a creamy consistency like whole dairy milk or almond/cashew milk.
