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What is Wintermelon Milk Tea? (How To Make A Perfect Cup!)

What is Wintermelon Milk Tea

Winter melon, scientifically known as Benincasa hispid or as the wax gourd, is a type of gourd that has its origins in Southeast Asia.

Fresh Wintermelon needs a warm, temperate climate in order to thrive, and despite its frosty name, it does not tolerate frost at all!

Wintermelon is commonly used as an ingredient in soups, stir-fries, and of course, winter melon tea!

Essentially a combination of milk tea with fruit syrup, this beverage is a recent flavourful phenomenon among Western boba lovers and bubble tea lovers.

At the center of the beverage is the staple Asian medicinal ingredient, wintermelon.

Commonly grown during the HOT summer days and autumn months, the source for this melon’s seasonal name comes from its long shelf life.

When stored properly, watermelon can be stored for up to four months and was commonly eaten during the cooler months of winter because of its health benefits when other vegetables and fruit were scarce.

Another reason for the winter melon’s cool name comes from its appearance.

When immature and unripe, the fruit’s surface is covered with fine, fuzzy hairs that resemble snow.

Once it begins to ripe, the hairs are lost, and it gains a shiny, waxy sheen, which helps preserve the fruit for long periods.

The flesh contained inside is also white as snow, providing further support for its unique name!

Even though it has a vegetal appearance, watermelon is, like its name suggests, a melon! as it grows on HOT summer days.

This fruit is a member of the gourd family where melons, pumpkins, and zucchinis are all members. 

Fresh wintermelon is a versatile fruit that can make either a savory soup or a delicious, sweet refreshing drink or cold drink

Wintermelon milk tea can be made by boiling and infusing the fruit itself.

Add some brown sugar, fresh milk, and tapioca pearls, and presto! You havewintermelon milk tea! 

This fruity dish originated in Southeast Asia where it is a part of the staple traditional food fare to this day and is also used in eastern medicine.

It is popular for its medicinal properties as well as unique recipes that are home to Taiwan.

What does Wintermelon taste like?

Wintermelon, also known as ash gourd or winter gourd, has a neutral, slightly sweet flavor. It has a mild, almost bland taste, similar to a cucumber or a zucchini. Its texture is crisp, juicy, and slightly crunchy, making it a popular ingredient in various dishes. Wintermelon is commonly used in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine, especially in soups and stews. It is also added to desserts and sweet drinks, such as syrup and smoothies, where it adds a slight sweetness without overpowering other flavors. It’s a versatile ingredient that can easily adapt to different flavor profiles, making it a popular choice for a wide range of culinary applications.

What is Wintermelon milk tea made of?

What is Wintermelon milk tea made of

Wintermelon tea or sweet Winter Melon Milk Tea can be easily made with winter melon of course, black tea, brown sugar (brown sugar syrup), winter melon syrup, fresh milk, ice cubes, and chewy tapioca balls. 

If you want a non-dairy alternative, you can use milk tea powder, soy milk, or almond milk in wintermelon bubble tea instead.

Ingredients:

  • 1500g winter melon
  • 250g granulated brown sugar
  • 50g rock sugar
  • Water
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • Tapioca pearls (optional, if serving as a bubble tea)

Preparation

  • Wash the winter melon carefully and then remove the skin with the help of a sharp knife.
  • Chop it into small cubes and place them in a large pot. Sprinkle the brown sugar or 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar on top of it, cover it with cling film, and leave it to soak for about 1 hour.
  • After this time, you will see a small amount of watermelon water at the bottom of the pot of water, which is what you were aiming for!
  • Now, place the whole pot on the hob and bring it gently to a boil.
  • Add the rock sugar, watermelon seeds, and skin (optional) and leave to simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, paying attention not to make all the liquid evaporate.
  • Remove from the heat and use a strainer to collect the juice in a pretty bottle.
  • With the aid of a fork or masher, mash the winter melon cubes so that you get as much juice off them as possible. Discard the pulp.
  • If you are using tapioca pearls, pour water into a second container and bring it to a boil.
  • Add the tapioca balls and let them cook until soft, then take off the heat and set aside.
  • Pour into individual glasses, then add a handful of tapioca balls and a dash of milk. If you want to serve it chilled, leave it to cool naturally, then put it in the fridge and add ice cubes just before serving.                                 

What does Wintermelon milk tea taste like?

What does Wintermelon milk tea taste like

Wintermelon by itself has a very mild and somewhat bland flavor when the fruit is still unripe.

The taste is similar to that of cucumber – refreshing and vegetal, with a slight grass-like flavor.

When aged, fresh wintermelon loses some of its taste and becomes slightly bland but still retains its refreshing properties.

The exact flavor refreshing taste of ripe sweet winter melon milk tea taste is hard to describe, but many enjoy its mild, subtle sweetness. 

Many in Southeast Asia and Taiwan often drink winter melon tea in the HOT summer days and hot summer months to cool themselves down.

Combining wintermelon juice with water and sugar, it’s an instantly refreshing drink that’s natural and healthier than sugar-packed sodas!

Is Wintermelon milk tea good?

Is Wintermelon milk tea good

Winter melon tea taste is amazing and is considered a healthy option among boba drinks (milk tea drinks) due to its medicinal properties of the melon.

This unique drink (sweet wintermelon milk tea) is rich in vitamin and antioxidant content which can aid gastrointestinal distress, maintain weight, and reduce stress.

Sweet wintermelon milk tea also lowers the overall cholesterol levels in the body.

Many boba enthusiasts have picked up the various recipes and are fervently looking to introduce them to their own countries and cultures.

The fruit thrives on the Hawaiian coast so it is now more within reach even for commercial purposes.

Combined with milk and tea, this fruity beverage is an explosion of taste likely to leave you asking for more.

The wintermelon syrup is still widely used in traditional medicine.

It is used in the form of hot soup or drinks for relief from high blood pressure.

Of course, adding milk and/or artificial sweeteners to sweet wintermelon milk tea tea would work against its health benefits.

As a high-sugar diet is generally unhealthy, it’s recommended to reduce the tablespoon granulated sugar content if you would like to enjoy this beverage regularly.

You can make the drink at home provided that you have the vegetable on hand, wintermelon puree, along with a few spices to give it a necessary kick.

The beverage can be made in more than one way.

Usually, the preparation process includes boiling, extracting juice, and straining the fruit into a cup.

After that, you simply add it to some already-prepared milk tea