Lavender milk tea is a unique blend of sweet and floral flavours that will satisfy your taste buds. It's an excellent option if you are looking for a new way to enjoy your daily brew. And with its mild floral taste and creaminess, many people love it! It also has a natural calming effect that helps you feel relaxed.
Given the benefits and deliciousness of this infused beverage, we decided to create a recipe that you can easily make at home. Following our recipe will allow you to customise your drink based on your preferences. For example, you can decide which tea to use and whether you like it stronger or not. Plus, you can add as many boba toppings as you want.
Aside from that, homemade is also more affordable than buying this floral fantasy of a cuppa from cafes. After much research and internal taste-testing, we will share our delicious recipe. So keep reading for a soothing beverage in a matter of minutes.
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What is lavender milk tea made of?
This popular drink is made of lavender buds, tea, and milk. The base is usually made with black or green tea. However, you can also use other infusions, such as white, herbal or oolong. The milk adds a creaminess to the drink and introduces the richness and a subtle sweetness.
Moreover, you can also add tapioca pearls to your brew to make it sweeter and more exciting! Although this is not a requirement, it definitely contributes to varying textures.
Furthermore, adding simple ice cubes is enough to turn your warm concoction into an iced floral drink. It's a perfect refresher during the sweltering summer heat.
What does lavender milk tea taste like?
Lavender milk tea tastes sweet and floral. The floral notes come from the flower buds, while the sweetness is usually derived from the milk, sugar, or honey. The drink also adds a slight bitterness, which helps balance the sweetness and bring out the floral taste. As a result, it is not overly sweet but has enough sweetness to make it enjoyable.
The flavour of this beverage can also vary depending on the type of leaves used. For example, if you use green tea leaves, the flavour will be lighter and more delicate. On the other hand, if you decide on a black leaves alternative, you will give your cup a bolder and more potent taste.
How many calories are in 1 cup?
A cup of this drink has around 120 to 150 calories. The exact number of lavender milk tea calories will also depend on the ingredients you decide to use. For example, with the addition of boba or sweetener will increase the number of calories.
Lavender milk tea ingredients
To make lavender milk tea, you will need the following ingredients:
- Lavender buds
- Black tea
- Sweetener (optional)
- Milk
- Tapioca pearls or boba (optional)
- Ice (optional)
Lavender buds
Using food-grade flower buds is an excellent choice if you want your brew to be more customisable or if you want to control your drink's fragrance. However, you can use lavender tea bags if you can't find the buds in your area. These bags are also more convenient and accessible. However, if you're looking for a more convenient option, you can use lavender milk tea powder.
Please note that if you use the premade powder, the flavours and sweetness are no longer customisable. To add another level to the overall flavour profile, mix in some chamomile to create a chamomile lavender milk tea.
Black tea
Aside from a black brew, you can use any other type of tea, including fruit-based ones. However, we recommend using green, black, and earl grey leaves for the best flavour combinations.
Sweetener (optional)
For this ingredient, you can use any such sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup, or sugar. You can also use sugar-free alternatives like monk fruit, erythritol, and stevia. However, if you use honey or maple syrup, ensure to blend it properly, so it will not make your drink thicker than normal. Honey will also add distinctness to the overall taste - which is often quite harmonious with the overall floral taste of the cup.
Milk
You can use any variation of milk, e.g., almond, soy, coconut, or dairy. However, using whole dairy is the best choice, as the creamier options go better with this beverage. Alternatively, we recommend using cashew or almond milk if you prefer a dairy-free substitute.
Using Lavender Milk Tea Powder
Using milk tea powder is a popular alternative to buds or bags for many people. It is easy to make, and the convenience of using a premade mix makes it an excellent choice for busy lifestyles.
The biggest pro of using this powder is that it is easy to make. It is made from dehydrated buds ground into a fine powder. This allows for a much quicker and easier preparation. All you need to do is follow the instructions on the packet, and you can have a delicious cup of this soothing beverage in minutes.
Unlike the buds, measuring the amount of powder needed for a single cup is easier. The powder also has a longer shelf life than buds, allowing it to be used for a much longer period of time. Furthermore, the powder contains a higher concentration of the active compounds in the flower, providing a more pronounced flavour and aroma.
On the other hand, there are some cons to using this powder. First, getting the right balance of flavours and sweetness can be challenging. However, you need to follow the instructions on the packet precisely to ensure the drink tastes better.
Another drawback is that the powder usually contains a lot of sugar and other additives, which can be unhealthy if consumed excessively.
Lavender milk tea boba recipe
If you're looking for a delicious and refreshing beverage, you can't go wrong with lavender milk tea boba. Not only do tapioca pearls make the drink more flavorful, but they also add a touch of sweetness to it.
To make your tapioca pearls, boil some water in a small saucepan. After that, reduce the heat, stir in the tapioca pearls, and simmer for 5 minutes. Then, strain the pearls before adding them to a small bowl and mix them with some brown sugar syrup. Place aside and allow to cool fully. Finally, you can add it to your beverage.
Boba is a great way to add extra flavour to your drink. If you need help deciding which type of tapioca pearls to use, you can try either store-bought or homemade ones. Either way, they'll be a great addition to the boba drink.
Tapioca pearls vs popping boba
Tapioca pearls are a better option for creating this boba drink than popping boba or any other boba toppings. Note that adding tapioca pearls to your lavender milk tea ingredients sweetens the drink.
Tapioca has a more natural taste, so it is often used for this type of drink. It also has a more consistent texture, providing a chewy and soft experience with each sip. In addition to this, tapioca pearls are much more affordable than popping boba, making it a much more cost-effective choice. Preparing tapioca pearls is much easier than popping boba, as you just need to boil them in water for a few minutes.
If you want to explore other variations of this recipe, you can try making your own earl grey milk tea or rose milk tea! For a stronger tea flavour, you could also combine the buds with an earl grey milk tea kit. Using a kit is a super convenient way to achieve a quick earl grey brew!
Lavender Milk Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon lavender buds
- 1 tablespoon black tea
- 2 cups whole milk
Instructions
- Combine the milk and lavender buds in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Leave on medium heat setting until scalded.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Then, let the mixture steep for 2 minutes before you add your black tea. After that, let it sit again for 2 minutes.
- Strain the drink into cups before serving to remove excess bud particles. To enjoy an iced lavender milk tea, add about 2 cups of ice!
Notes
- You can use any tea, depending on your preference. Green tea leaves are best if you want a lighter flavour.
- We recommend using a heavy-bottomed saucepan because it spreads the heat equally when brewing your drink.
- You can use other alternatives instead of whole dairy (e.g., almond, soy, coconut, etc.).
- Add ½ to 1 cup of tapioca pearls for a boba variation.
- You may add any sweetener of your choice. Incorporate the sweetener during step 1, along with the other ingredients. Add sweetener to taste.
Nutrition
Calories have been calculated using an online calculator. Nutritional information offered on Honest Food Talks is for general information purposes and are only rough estimations.
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