Coffee Milk Tea, called Yuen Yang (Ying Yang) in Chinese, is simply what it sounds like: coffee, milk, and tea. The coffee vs. tea debate is as common as the vanilla vs. chocolate, with fervent devotees on both sides. As hard as I’ve tried, I don’t favor one over the other and drink both coffee and tea almost every day. I wonder what that says about me? Indecisive, un-opinionated (ha, my brother is laughing out loud somewhere), equal opportunistic? It probably doesn’t mean anything other than my body can handle a lot of caffeine.
Maybe I’m just greedy? That makes sense because that also explains my gravitation to Coffee Milk Tea (and Black & White Cookies), the combination of the two favorites. Yup, I want it all.
Coffee Milk Tea is commonly sold at Chinese bakeries (for about $1) and made extra sweet and creamy, going past the normal amount you usually put in tea or coffee. More like having a hot chocolate, it borders dessert, and it deserves such praise.
But, if you’re making it at home, you can adjust to your own tastes. You don’t need to be very precise in measurements. Basically Coffee Milk Tea is half coffee, half black tea, with a milk (milk, heavy cream, or condensed milk) and sweetener. This is another one of those times where the recipe is not necessary but I’ll throw one in anyway for those who find comfort in it.
Coffee Milk Tea
~for one
- 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup strongly brewed black tea*
- sweetened condensed milk or heavy cream and sugar, to taste
Instructions -
Combine coffee and tea in a heat proof cup. Add sweetened condensed milk or heavy cream and sugar to taste.
*For the black tea, you can use loose leaf or tea bags. For loose leaf, Assam works best. For tea bags, use English Breakfast or something general like Lipton regular.
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What an interesting drink combining coffee tea and milk! I would love it with condensed milk, sounds yummy!
One of my friends tried this in high school and loved it. The coming together of two great flavors! Maybe I’ll start combining my Coke and Pepsi. Hahaha
well, that’s the most obscure and random name i’ve ever heard.
seriously though, if only all foods and beverages were named so obviously! we could be partaking of carbonated water caramel color and orange juice sugar. good times.
Very interesting…I am intrigued! Beautiful pictures – I will have to give this a go!
Great recipe! Have you tried the ’stocking milk tea’ as well?
Hee hee, I’ve only enjoyed this with boba, and it’s delicious! I’ve never considered making it at home. I’m like you – I love both drinks and I also think I drink both every day!!!
Love this! I always order this at HK cafes.
I’ve never had this–sounds yummmy!
Mark, I guess that could give you the added caffeine boost too.
Grace, hahahahaa, some cocktails could have long names.
Kim, no, what is stocking milk tea???
Jen, I guess we’re too high energy chicks!
You make milk tea by using stocking silly
It’s very popular in HK.
Interesting combination… need to try this when I need energy boost
Kim, no way! I did not know.
My father put condensed milk in his coffee every morning of his life! And on his toast.
I am a tea drinker. Don’t like coffee at all….so while this drink sounds fascinating, I’ll have to pass on this one. However, I am sending your recipe to my sister who loves both!
I drink both coffee and tea just about every day as well! To be fair, I really just can’t live without coffee…but I do like tea a lot! Definitely have to try this. I wonder why I never thought to combine the two before…
Barbara, let me know what sis thinks.
Hi! Love your blog, I have been following a lot for more than a year but this its the first time I post something…
I make a lot this recipe at home, but I do it differently, I brew the tea (usually Earl Grey) directly in whole milk, add shots of espresso (can be substituted by instant coffee)and some molasses sugar… Its exactly the same taste I loved at the HK style restaurants in Taipei… You should try it!
Cocinillas, thanks for leaving a comment! =) Your way sounds like the real deal. The method I’ve posted just looks like how they do it in the cheaper bakeries.