A few years ago, people were mainly hooked on coffee, fruit shakes and/or not-so-moderately priced mocha-java-macchiato-espresso-frappucino-lava-whatever. But now a relatively new taste sensation has found its way into the hearts and taste buds of the Thomasian community.. Milk teas!
Upon setting foot on or around the vicinity of the campus, it is virtually impossible NOT to see at least one person holding a milk tea drink in their hand. In retrospect, teenagers were not that keen on drinking tea as most of us preferred the stronger kick of coffee. Presently, however, several students claim to be addicted to milk tea.
According to teas.com.au, the practice of mixing milk with tea stems its roots from its British colonial days. Tea was exported from the Orient which made it very expensive. People who can’t afford drinking pure and undiluted tea will resort to adding milk as a cheap and tasty condiment at the time. Since then, different cultures developed their own version of milk tea.
Although students say they crave for it, they cannot specifically say what it is about milk teas that they love. In a nutshell it is delicious, refreshing and well, delicious! One student has substituted her caffeine fix to milk tea because she gets the same feeling when she drinks coffee. With tapioca drinks, she gets to drink both her favourite beverages – milk and tea.
It’s hard to become sick of the taste of milk tea, with its invigorating flavour and luscious tapioca pearls. Aside from the savoury taste, one can also get the benefits from drinking milk and tea. Because it has a sweeter flavour and is served with tapioca, it is certainly a friendlier option to those who would like to become avid tea drinkers.
Sugar would probably be the biggest concern of tea drinkers. But Simple Line, one of the most patronized milk tea brands on campus, offers their customers levels of sugar content in their drinks.
“Milk tea is the new water!” claims one avid drinker of milk tea. Although no other drink can beat the elixir of life, milk tea has definitely become a Thomasian favourite. Adding milk to your drink would mean adding carbs and simple sugars, however, when it mainly comes down to it milk tea is a healthier beverage alternative than the likes of soft drinks or milk-fat-and-sugar-laden coffee drinks.
By Michelle Maglasang
