What Is Cheese Tea? The Taiwanese Drink That Took the World by Storm

 

Have you ever heard of cheese tea? If not, you're probably wondering why anyone would put cheese on top of tea. Surprisingly, this unique drink has become incredibly popular in many parts of Asia and has slowly made its way to cities around the world.

Cheese tea first became popular in Taiwan before spreading to countries such as Singapore, China, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Today, many bubble tea shops also offer their own version of this unusual drink.

Despite the name, cheese tea doesn't contain slices of cheese floating in your cup. Instead, it's topped with a creamy, lightly salted cheese foam made from cream cheese, milk or cream, and a small amount of salt. The combination creates a rich, smooth topping that contrasts beautifully with the tea underneath.

Most cheese tea is served cold over ice using green tea, black tea, jasmine tea, or oolong tea. The slightly salty foam balances the natural bitterness of the tea, creating a flavour that's both sweet and savoury.

Can You Make It at Home?

Absolutely! While every café has its own recipe, a simple homemade version is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of your favourite chilled tea

• 100 g cream cheese

• 60 ml whipping cream

• 2 tablespoons condensed milk

• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Brew your favourite tea and let it cool completely.

2. Beat the cream cheese until smooth.

3. Add the whipping cream, condensed milk, and a pinch of salt.

4. Whisk until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

5. Pour the chilled tea into a glass filled with ice.

6. Spoon the cheese foam on top and enjoy without stirring too much, so you taste both layers together.

Personally, I love discovering food and drinks from different cultures. Even if a recipe sounds unusual at first, you never know—you might end up finding your new favourite treat!

Would you be brave enough to try cheese tea?

Love, Shavida