The (Royal) Milky Way

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Born and raised in Colorado where my caffeine cravings were soothed with a Bakhti Chai, I had to find a new source when I came to Japan. Vending machines and stores were bursting with more kanji-covered drinks than temples in Kyoto, but not a chai to be seen!

I tried them one by one, finding my undeveloped tongue unimpressed with green tea, barley tea, and oolong tea. Not being adult enough to stomach coffee I was faced with bottles, bottles everywhere but not a drop to drink for my sugar-powered self.

Then came the fateful find at a 7-Eleven in the middle of Osaka: ロイヤルミルクティー or Royal Milk Tea:

Beauteaful
Beauteaful!

Not to be confused with ‘tea with milk’ like the folks drink in our Bristol office, Japanese milk tea is a whole new world over here. Comprised of more milk than tea, the lowered caffeine content is complemented by an infusion of sugar to create the perfect sweet nectar of life.

Now you may think milk tea doesn’t sound that special, but here in Japan it serves a cultural purpose. Throughout the year, new ‘limited edition’ flavours emerge to accentuate the changing of the seasons. Like fleeting cherry blossoms, these special milk tea memories grace us with their presence for just a few weeks before disappearing. Here are some of the yearly highlights to watch out for:

Spring

Cherry blossom
This cherry blossom milk tea provides an energy boost when taking on the hanami (flower-viewing) crowds. It also goes great with green tea biscuits.

Summer

When summer comes around, this refreshing mint milk tea brings cool relief in the humid months.
When summer comes around, this refreshing mint milk tea brings cool relief in the humid months.

Autumn

Different to the pumpkin spice craze in other countries, the more subtle Japanese kabocha pumpkin brings a unique taste to this fall favourite.
Different to the pumpkin spice craze in other countries, the more subtle Japanese kabocha pumpkin brings a unique taste to this fall favourite.

Winter

With strawberries at their peak, winter cheer is felt with this berry blend and more rich options like vanilla and baked chocolate.
With strawberries at their peak, winter cheer is felt with this berry blend and more rich options like vanilla and baked chocolate.

Though not quite seasonal, September 2015 was a dream come true with the introduction of chai milk tea!

I highly recommend fellow sweet-toothed travellers to check out the convenience store drink section for this ‘traditional’ treat! If you get hooked, instant packs are available at the convenience stores to take home:

These make great souvenirs for friends, sharing is caring!
These make great souvenirs for friends, sharing is caring!

Instant Royal Milk Tea

So move oolong matcha, there’s a new celebri-tea in town!

Originally from Colorado, Halley is now based in Nagoya, Japan – where she currently leads a team of InsideJapan travel consultants.

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