If you’re a tea lover looking for something unique to add to your collection of tea flavors, then lavender milk tea is a must-try. With its floral aroma and sweet taste, it makes for a perfect cup to enjoy at any time of the day. In this article, we’ll show you how to make lavender milk tea in 5 easy steps.
Step 1: Gather your Ingredients
To make lavender milk tea, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of loose-leaf black tea
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
- 4 cups of whole milk
- 1/4 cup honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Explanation:
Black tea serves as the base for your lavender milk tea. Culinary lavender adds the unique flavor and aroma of lavender to your tea. Whole milk is used to create a creamy texture, while honey or sugar is added for sweetness. Vanilla extract is optional but adds an extra layer of flavor to your tea.
Step 2: Steep the Tea and Lavender
In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. Add the loose-leaf black tea and dried lavender to the pot and steep for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the tea steep for an additional 5 minutes for a stronger flavor.
Explanation:
Steeping your tea and lavender is the first step to creating the flavor base of your lavender milk tea. Steeping your tea for 5 minutes releases the tea’s natural flavor, while the lavender adds a floral aroma.
Step 3: Strain and Heat the Milk
Using a strainer or tea infuser, strain the tea and lavender mixture into a separate pot. Discard the strained tea leaves and lavender. In the pot that now contains the brewed tea, add 4 cups of whole milk and 1/4 cup of honey or sugar. Heat the pot over low heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
Explanation:
Straining the tea and lavender mixture ensures that no loose tea leaves or lavender is in your lavender milk tea. Adding whole milk to the brewed tea makes your tea creamier, while the honey or sugar adds sweetness to the mix.
Step 4: Add Vanilla Extract (Optional)
After the milk has been heated for 5 minutes, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional), stir and remove the pot from heat.
Explanation:
Adding vanilla extract is an optional step, but it gives your lavender milk tea an extra layer of flavor.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Pour your lavender milk tea into cups and serve hot. You can also refrigerate it for a few hours and serve it cold. Enjoy your cup of homemade lavender milk tea!
Explanation:
Once your lavender milk tea is finished, you can enjoy a warm cup fresh off the stove or a cool glass after refrigeration.
The Health Benefits of Lavender Milk Tea
Lavender milk tea not only tastes great but has some health benefits too. Lavender is known to have calming properties and can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Additionally, tea is known to boost the immune system and has antioxidants that help fight disease-causing free radicals.
Conclusion
Lavender milk tea is a unique flavor with a floral aroma that any tea lover should try. With just 5 easy steps, you can enjoy a homemade lavender milk tea in no time. So, gather your ingredients and make yourself a cup today.
Common Questions About Lavender Milk Tea
Here are some of the most common questions and their answers about lavender milk tea:
- Q: Can I use another type of tea besides black tea?
- A: Yes, you can experiment with other types of tea, but black tea is recommended as the base for lavender milk tea.
- Q: Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried culinary lavender?
- A: Yes, you can use fresh lavender, but the amount needed may vary depending on the potency of the lavender.
- Q: Can I use soy or almond milk instead of whole milk?
- A: Yes, you can use any type of milk, but whole milk is recommended for a creamier texture.
- Q: Can I make lavender milk tea without honey or sugar?
- A: Yes, you can omit the honey or sugar, but the tea may not be as sweet.
References
1. Medical News Today. (2021). Health benefits and risks of lavender. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922
2. Tea Perspective. (n.d.). 10 scientifically proven health benefits of tea. Retrieved from https://teaperspective.com/health-benefits-of-tea/
3. Wow Tea. (n.d.). Lavender milk tea recipe. Retrieved from https://wowtea.com.au/lavender-milk-tea-recipe/