Could you have thought of a different name? That was my first thought when I heard about cheese tea. My thought was not too favorable until I educated myself about the product. Don’t run away from cheese tea, once you learn about it you may be seeking it out in your own community. I did! There are still some things you need to know about cheese tea. Let’s discuss cheese tea further.
Once I realized someone did not spread shredded cheddar cheese on top of my Earl Grey my tea spirit did rest. So what is cheese tea and do you really want to try it?
Things to consider before buying and consuming cheese tea
When cheese tea first hit the American market I thought it was a fad. It would last a few months, at most a year, and dissolve away. Around the same time, boba or bubble tea became popular as well and the two were a match made in heaven.
I’d avoid cheese tea only if you had an allergenic or lactose intolerant to the contents. There are a couple of other precautions as well that you will find at the bottom of this article. There’s no reason not to try and every reason to try it.
Some things you may want to consider when purchasing your cheese tea are:
Ingredients – I stick by the rule that a product must be at least Non-GMO but always inquire if a product is organic.
Freshness – You want to make sure your product is produced with the freshest natural products available.
Environment – Cleanliness is king. Make sure whom you are buying from has a clean establishment. Clean utensils and provide clean work and eating space for its clients and workers.
Presenting the product
Cheese tea has changed since the time it surfaced in the markets of Taiwan around 2010. Back then the tea was made of powdered cheese mixed with salt and topped with whipped cream. The mixture was simple to prepare and the ingredients were easy to keep on hand. The tea was foamy on top and your cup of tea on the bottom.
In 2012 a company by the name of HeyTea from Guangdong, China started to make tea with real cream cheese and fresh milk. This was the beginning of what we know today as cheese tea. Hey Tea’s updated version caught on and people were in line for hours to try it.
I decided to check my local area for Cheese Tea, while there is none locally I did find a few prospects in St. Louis. I’ve had the honor of trying cheese tea prior to this article. I am delighted to know it’s close at hand if I ever want to have a cup or share the celebrity tea with friends.
The tea is created by whipping together cream cheese, milk (or sweetened condensed milk). This creates a foam that is placed over the tea and then it is sprinkled with a dash of salt.
Different cheeses can be used as well. Mascarpone and Cheddar blended with milk, creme, salt and sugar can also be used.
The taste sensation is delightful and fulfilling. Both sweet and salty. The texture of the foam mixing with the sip of tea is a sensation all it’s own.
Oh, and cheese tea is a cold beverage!
There is a specific way to drink cheese tea. Hold your cup at a 45-degree angle. Sip making sure to take in the frothy cheesy topping followed by the tea. You will sense two layers of taste. Never drink it with tea, you will miss out on the sensations and true reason cheese tea exists.
The drink is like boba or bubble tea but has an interesting sweet/salty/savory finish created by the cheese. Most shops will provide a lid that allows the perfect amount of froth and tea. The lid allows the drinker to enjoy the tea without the milky mustache left behind.
Benefits and downsides of cheese tea
While there are no studies to substantiate the health benefits or downside of cheese tea. There are things we know about the ingredients used, especially the tea aspect of cheese tea.
Tea is high in antioxidants. Full-fat dairy both have health benefits as well. The drink however is loaded with sugar and additives which create a downside to the cheesy beverage. Treat cheese tea as exactly that, a treat.
The most beneficial and main ingredient is the part that gets the least mention and that is the tea. Tea is a powerhouse of beneficial ingredients, The teas most used in cheese tea are black and green tea.
Green tea is the least processed of all teas is full of catching and antioxidants. These fight free radicals and protect our cellular structure.
Black tea is a tea rich in antioxidants that help reduce blood sugar, high blood pressure, inflammation and…. MORE
Cream cheese and Whipped cream are both full-fat products that are saturated fats. These were once taboo a few years ago but studies like this one
Show that saturated fats are not the culprit once made out to be. In fact, it seems the opposite may be true. Full dairy products linked to reducing obesity which could be a precursor to heart disease and diabetes.
In fact, full-fat dairy products like cream cheese have been linked to a reduced risk of obesity
and metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and heart disease
This study in which more than 1,000 people with the highest intake of full-fat dairy were approximately 50% less likely to be obese than those whose intake was lower.
With the powerhouse of tea and the healthy benefits of full-fat dairy, you could say that cheese tea would be beneficial to your health. Because of the high sugar content, I’d still suggest making cheese tea a treat and not add it to your daily tea enjoyment.
Downsides
Cheese tea has some downsides we need to consider.
One of the main considerations of drinking cheese tea is an allergic reaction or intolerance. Up to ¾ of the world’s population are in some way lactose intolerant.
If you have to avoid dairy products then you need to avoid cheese tea.
Sugar is something I think our bodies do not need, it’s a treat. Sugar is linked with many health risks including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Limit your sugar intake to enhance your health.
Cheese tea is high in calories considering its sugar and full-fat content. Drinking large amounts of cheese tea can lead to weight gain and then other diseases that can follow.
Natural ingredients and additives – make sure to check the ingredients of the products in your cheese tea and look for additives and my favorite “natural flavors”. Look for whole ingredients and in the very least ingredients, you can pronounce.
Shop where you trust they are making quality decisions on your behalf.
How to create your own cheese tea
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 6 cups strongly brewed tea
- 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
- Ice cubes
Directions
- In a large bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, milk, and condensed milk. Mix in heavy cream. Cover and refrigerate 15-20 minutes.
- Fill ¾ glass with tea and ice; pour in cheese mixture until topped off. Top with heavy cream “froth.” Sprinkle with salt.
Plant-based option from Hojicha.co
Ingredients:
Cheesy Layer
- 1 can (400 ml) coconut milk, chilled overnight
- ¾ teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
Hojicha
- 8 grams loose leaf hojicha
- 250 ml of filtered water
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Directions:
- Place 1 can of coconut milk upside down in the fridge and chill overnight
- Remove the can from the fridge and gently flip back over (right side up)
- Open the can, and pour the liquid out (reserve for another recipe)
- Scoop out the hardened coconut cream into a bowl
Add :
- ¾ teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup into the bowl
Beat the coconut cream mixture using an electric mixer on medium speed.
Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Once smooth and creamy, set aside.
Place a stainless steel tea infuser into a large glass or mug, and add 5 grams loose leaf hojicha.
Heat filtered water to 90°C, and pour 250 ml over the hojicha in circular motions.
Let the hojicha steep for one minute, and then remove the infuser.
Add 1 teaspoon maple syrup to the prepared hojicha and stir.
Gently scoop the whipped coconut cream onto the warm hojicha.
Sip at an angle to best experience the distinct flavors.
If you’d like to try the cheese tea cold, place the whipped coconut cream in the fridge while you flash- or slow-chill your hojicha. When ready to assemble, add a splash of water and beat the whipped cream until it becomes soft and creamy again.
Conclusion
Cheese tea is unique and if you are able to enjoy a cup if even just once please do. Share your experience.
While a frothy somewhat sugary tea beverage maybe just a treat. There are several health benefits we can count on. Tea is healthy and saturated fats have now been shown as beneficial. That sugar holds us at bay, but a small amount of sugar now and again won’t harm us. Everything in moderation.
Cheese tea is an experience. One you should at least try barring any allergies or intolerances. It may be a fad but cheese tea is going to be around for a while and a delicacy we need to embrace before it’s gone.
