This recipe for Oolong Tea Latte is simple to make and features an aromatic, partially oxidized tea paired with milk.
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What is oolong tea?
Oolong, meaning "dark dragon" in Chinese is a type of semi-oxidized tea.
The tea leaves are sun-dried and partially oxidized or fermented to a certain degree before curled and twisted as loose tea.
There are two types of oolong tea leaves: ball-shaped (rolled) and twisted, long leaves.
Oolong can be characterized in between green tea and black tea.
Tieguanyin is one of the more well-known types of oolong tea.
What does oolong tea taste like?
Oolong teas can vary vastly in their processing, and thus their flavor.
Lighter oolong teas can taste fragrant and fruity.
Darker oolong teas can taste nutty and woody, similar to hojicha.
Temperature for preparing oolong tea
Water temperature should be 80-95C/ 180-205 F.
Steep the oolong tea for 3-5 minutes.
Does oolong tea have caffeine?
Yes, similar to matcha, oolong does contain caffeine.
Why you'll love this recipe
This oolong tea recipe is simple and easy to prepare.
It's a great way to change up it up from your hojicha latte, matcha latte, or earl grey tea latte.
Ingredients you'll need
- oolong tea: you can use tea bags, loose oolong tea, or oolong tea powder
- milk: or any non-dairy alternative or milk substitute; almond milk or soy milk
- hot water: boiled and cooled to a temperature of 80-95C/ 180-205 F
- sweetener: you can use brown sugar syrup, honey, rose syrup, lychee syrup, agave, maple syrup, or any sweetener you like
- ice (if serving cold)
- whipped cream: optional
How to make oolong tea latte
Using tea bags/loose leaf tea
Bring water up to a boil and let it cool for a few minutes.
Place two oolong tea bags into a heat-safe mug or glass.
Pour the hot water over the tea bags and let it steep for 3-4 minutes.
Remove the tea bags.
Stir in sugar (if using, to taste).
If serving hot
Heat up milk in a microwave or over the stovetop, until steaming hot.
Use a hand-held milk frother to froth or foam up the milk.
Pour the milk, with its foam into the tea, and give it a stir.
Enjoy the oolong milk tea latte.
If serving iced
Add ice cubes to a tall glass.
Pour in the oolong tea.
Top off with milk.
Add whipped cream, if desired.
Using oolong tea powder
Add oolong tea powder and sugar (if using) into a mug.
Pour in hot water and use a frother to froth the tea.
Alternatively, you can use a matcha chasen (bamboo whisk0 to froth the tea.
Place ice cubes into a tall glass.
Pour the oolong tea into the glass.
Top off with milk.
Add whipped cream, if desired.
Optional additions
You can customize your oolong tea latte however you like.
Try adding:
- tapioca pearls (boba pearls)
- grass jelly
- egg custard
Other tea latte recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Oolong Tea Latte (Hot & Iced)
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon (2g) oolong tea powder or 2 oolong tea bags
- 5 g granulated sugar optional, or to your taste
- 60 ml hot water
- 125 ml milk or non-dairy alternative
- ice
- whipped cream optional
Instructions
Iced:
- Add oolong tea powder and sugar (if using) into a mug.
- Pour in hot water and use an electric milk frother to froth the tea.
- Place ice cubes into a tall glass.
- Pour the oolong tea into the glass.
- Add whipped cream, if desired.
- Stick in a straw, give it a stir and enjoy immediately.
If using oolong tea bags:
- Place two oolong tea bags into a heat-safe mug or glass.
- Pour the hot water over the tea bags and let it steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags.
- Stir sugar (if using, to taste) into the tea and proceed below if serving hot, or above at step 4 if iced.
Hot:
- Heat up milk in a microwave or over the stovetop, until steaming hot.
- Use a hand-held milk frother to froth or foam up the milk.
- Pour the milk, with its foam into the tea, and give it a stir.
- Enjoy the oolong milk tea latte.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Dawn
Yum! Love how you can serve it hot or cold too. And whipped cream is a must if you ask me! 😉
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Another awesome drink idea!
You can open your own coffee / tea shop - I bet you will be to offer a new fabulous drink every week!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
YUM... this looks so delicious and I love that you can make it either iced or hot. I'll be choosing iced going forward, it's supposed to be 93 degrees for Easter here!
David @ Spiced
Oooo - what a fun idea! I enjoy darker oolong teas, and the thought of turning one of those into a latte is so cool. I second Ben's comment...you should open your own coffee/tea shop!