Hong Kong-style milk tea, made from a strong blend of Ceylon black tea and evaporated milk, is traditionally brewed using a stocking-like cloth and a technique recognized by the Hong Kong government as an intangible cultural heritage. It is a quintessential part of lunch in Hong Kong tea culture. Our favourite version is from the original cha chaan teng at Lan Fong Yuen in Central, Hong Kong.
The Black & White brand from the Netherlands is widely regarded as the most authentic for use in Hong Kong-style milk tea. Here, we have the Black & White Classic Hong Kong-style Milk Tea, a ready-to-drink version with its iconic branding, though curiously, produced in South Korea.
The beverage had an opaque dark tan hue with a fragrant black tea aroma and a mellow sweetness. When consumed chilled, it offered an intense black tea flavour with a rich and smooth mouthfeel. Each sip delivered a thick creaminess that spread gradually across the palate. The dairy notes of the evaporated milk became prominent in the second half of the sip, followed by the return of the black tea notes for an aromatic finish, leaving a lingering astringency in the aftertaste. Its only downside was the tea and milk components separated somewhat quickly during drinking, requiring regular stirring to maintain homogeneity. Nevertheless, the flavour was akin to a well-executed Hong Kong-style milk tea, comparable to the freshly prepared version from Lan Fong Yuen, and worth repurchasing.
This Black & White Classic Hong Kong-style Milk Tea contained 260 mL. It was produced in South Korea and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2024.