After a long day that is often both tiring and trying, a relaxing cup of tea is what many seek. While coffee serves as a wakeup call, tea is what eases your mind from the anxieties of the day and helps you lay back. And although some people like their tea without milk, others can’t make do without a splash of milk.
If you’ve had a lifestyle change and decided to go vegan, cow’s milk is one of the many animal-based food products you’ve had to leave behind. Or if you’ve recently found out that you’ve become lactose intolerant, leaving dairy behind might not be a choice for you, but a compulsion.
If either of the above conditions applies to you, know that you’re not alone. Chances are that you’ve already discovered nondairy milk substitutes like coconut, soy, rice or almond milk. Among these, almond milk is by far the most preferred choice for consumption in its original form.
Plain, unsweetened almond milk has a unique taste. It has a mild flavor that is nutty and ever-so-slightly sweet. This makes almond milk a great choice as a nondairy whitener for teas and coffees. Depending on your preference, you can either make your tea entirely out of almond milk or you can add a splash of it to whiten your tea.
Here are two methods to make the best almond milk tea.
Method 1: Almond Milk Tea
Things you’ll need:
- Hot almond milk – 1 cup
- Tea bag
Step 1. Pour hot almond milk into your teacup
Pour 1 cup of boiling hot almond milk into your teacup. You can easily heat some up in a microwave or saucepan.
Step 2. Add the tea bag and let it steep
Add your favorite tea bag to the milk and let it steep for 5 minutes or so.
Step 3. Remove the tea bag and enjoy your tea
After about 5 minutes, if your tea has acquired the desired color, remove the tea bag.
Your almond milk tea is ready. Enjoy your cuppa as it is or sweeten it before having it. Honey and sugar are obvious choices. Vegans can also use bee-free honey or agave nectar to sweeten their tea.
Method 2: Light Almond Milk Tea
Things you’ll need:
- Almond milk – ½ cup
- Hot water – ½ cup
- Tea bag
Step 1. Put a tea bag in your teacup
Put a tea bag of your choice in your teacup.
Step 2. Pour in hot water and let your tea steep
Pour ½ cup of hot water into the teacup. Temperature-wise, the water should be just shy of boiling hot. Let the tea bag steep for about 3 minutes. Individual preferences vary according to the color and strength of the tea. The steeping time can be adjusted accordingly.
Step 3. Remove the tea bag
Remove the tea bag after 3 minutes, or sooner if you’re satisfied with the color of the tea and the aroma wafting from it.
Step 4. Add the almond milk and enjoy
Lastly, add ½ cup of almond milk to your teacup. The milk can be warm or at room temperature. Almond milk whitens and gives texture and additional flavor to the tea. If you like your tea with a little milk, this method is good for you.
This tea is lighter than the tea made entirely from milk. Enjoy it hot and unsweetened, or sweeten it with honey, sugar or agave nectar before drinking.
Additional Tips
- If buying almond milk, go for plain unsweetened almond milk instead of sweetened and flavored to use as a nondairy whitener. It gives your tea a better flavor. Added flavorings may end up overpowering your tea.
- If the store-bought almond milk is pinching your pocketbook, you can easily make almond milk at home.
- If you suffer from nut allergies or just want to weigh your options, there are other alternatives to choose from including good old soy milk, coconut milk or even rice milk. You’ll need to experiment a bit to find which flavors you like the best.
- When making a single cup of tea, warm your teacup beforehand. This prevents your tea from cooling down the moment you pour it. Fill an inch or two of the teacup with piping hot water and swirl it around to warm your cup. Discard the water just before you pour in your tea.
Summary of How to Make Almond Milk Tea:
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