Okinawa vs. Hokkaido Milk Tea
Hojicha milk tea latte
Tea is important to Japanese society and the nation’s most prominent drink. The Japanese respect it so very that they also have a conventional tea ceremony for it! They believe the ceremony produces a bond between the host and the visitor invited for tea. At the same time, the tea ceremony brings internal peace to both host and guest.
Aside from its well-known matcha tea, Japan is also popular for its range of milk tea – two of them being the Okinawa and Hokkaido milk tea. The major difference in between them is their ingredients. Okinawa milk tea utilizes a specific brown sugar from that city, while Hokkaido milk tea utilizes rich, creamy milk from within its region.
This post will certainly specify much more 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 creamy beverage that has a great deal of variations across the globe. Surprisingly, also the strange bubble tea is an example! Normally, the Okinawa Milk Tea has a wonderful as well as milky flavor owing to its base tea, which is imperial milk tea (a mix that includes more milk than the common formula).
Its special ingredient is the kokuto, a brownish sugar belonging to the southern area of Japan. Kokuto is ready clearly compared to routine white sugar. It is made by food preparation sugarcane juice, an extremely healthy and balanced sweetener with a high material of vitamins and minerals, without shedding flavor.
Some people even state that kokuto is the healthiest type of sugar in the world. Black tea of the highest quality (like Assam or Ceylon) is utilized to prepare this beverage. Okinawa Milk Tea can be appreciated in any manner – warm, cold, or served with pudding pearls in the form of boba tea.
What is Hokkaido Milk Tea?
Bubble milk tea in a plastic mug
Hokkaido Milk Tea is another unique Japanese tea named after the region of its beginning. Hokkaido is the second largest island in Japan as well as a well-known visitor area. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, popularly called Nidanshi Milk, is a timeless beverage prominent among vacationers and also locals alike.
This tea often obtains perplexed with boba or the Okinawa Milk Tea. Nonetheless, what is special about the beverage is its approach of preparation. Black tea of top quality (Assam tear or Earl Grey) is made use of with sugar and also the special Hokkaido milk, which gives it its velvety taste.
Milk from Hokkaido is special from other milk as the island gets on the northern most factor of Japan. In addition, it has the biggest grasslands as well as the very best weather condition, making it an all-natural as well as healthy and balanced place with the cleanest air– excellent for increasing livestock. Thus, the milk from Hokkaido is thicker and also creamier than routine milk.
Although these two are various type of tea, Hokkaido and also Okinawa Milk Tea usually get perplexed with each other. However, if you are a lover who would intend to attempt both these variants specifically, there are methods which you can tell these drinks apart.
1. Approaches of Preparation
Both the types of tea are prepared similarly, yet 2 particular points established them apart. First, Hokkaido Milk Tea is prepared with special Hokkaido milk in the same way you prepare tea. However, with Okinawa milk tea, you prepare the kokuto till it ends up being much less thick as a sugar prior to adding it to the beverage.
2. Taste
Both beverages have unforgettable, sweet tastes when it comes to taste. They can also be made to taste like each other.
Hokkaido Milk Tea has a rich, luscious appearance and is very thick because of the high quality of the milk. Since the black tea made use of for preparing it is additionally the finest, the fallen leaves add a strong, roasted taste to the drink. Overall, you could find the Hokkaido Milk Tea to taste like sugar with a small shade of vanilla.
On the other hand, Okinawa tea is additionally normally sweet, yet its taste is dominated by black tea. Although the structure may additionally be thick, it will not be as creamy as Hokkaido Milk Tea, as the molasses are developed by kokuto. You might discover the flavor to be somewhat toasted overall.
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 well-known for its excellent quality and freshness of the seafood. Okinawa Milk Tea originates from Okinawa – a traveler place well-known for its distinct cuisine as well as beaches.
4. Cost
Both the beverages might have similar components, but the rarity of the components which make them the drinks they are affects the expense of the tea. Hokkaido milk and also its powder are pricey contrasted to kokuto, which can be changed by routine brownish sugar.
The cost per 8oz cup of Okinawa Milk Tea is around $1.12, while the cost of Hokkaido Milk Tea for the exact same is $1.88. Consequently, as can be drawn from this info, Hokkaido Milk Tea is on the extra expensive side.
Putting Milk Into Glass
4. Nutrition
Although both kinds of tea are similar, they make use of various components belonging to a particular area, making their dietary accounts various. To assist you comprehend the nutritional worth of both these beverages, we have actually 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 derive that although Hokkaido Milk Tea is sweet. However, it is much healthier as a result of just how natural and fresh Hokkaido milk is. Therefore, it is absolutely a much healthier option between both.
Last Thoughts.
There is a whole lot to find in Japan – especially when it comes to impressive food. Both the Hokkaido as well as Okinawa milk teas are a must-try if you go to the nation. You can also attempt making the dish in your home. These refreshing Japanese teas will stimulate and de-stress you and make up for a fast, loading treat.