I first tasted it in Hong Kong and then whenever I come across “milk tea” on a menu, definitely I will have that as my beverage, seeking relentlessly which restaurant serves the best milk tea that is close to what I had in HK. Right now, I have Chowking’s Nai Cha and Hap Chan’s Hong Kong Milk Tea as my faves.

Hong Kong-style milk tea, often known as dai pai dong milk tea, is a beverage originating from Hong Kong. It consists of black tea sweetened with evaporated milk (not condensed milk), and is usually part of an afternoon meal in Hong Kong tea culture. Although originating from Hong Kong, it is also frequently found overseas in restaurants serving Hong Kong cuisine and Hong Kong-style western cuisine. In Malaysia it is called Teh See.

Procedure on how to make it:

1. Boil some water for the black tea leaves.
2. Put the tea in a silk bag in the water once it is boiling.
3. Keep at a low boil for 30 minutes or longer.
4. The longer it boils the richer/smoother the taste.
5. Pour the hot tea in ceramic cup and add cold sweetened condensed or evaporated milk.
6. Sugar is optional. Put in honey to make it even sweeter.

I don’t deny my coffee addiction. I particularly love Starbucks coffee. As for our online Christmas exchange gifts, I asked for a coffee press in my wishlist and I got it last December and I’ve been pressing coffee almost everyday to perk me up. I usually consume just 1-2 cups a day, depends on the workload I have at work. I don’t usually drink coffee during the weekends unless I really want to be awake on a Saturday morning after a movie night with my boys on a Friday night. I bought these ground coffee samplers from Starbucks last December so I can use my coffee press right away…

Already tried the 3 samplers and so far among, Italian Roast (extra bold), Guatemala Antigua (medium) and Espresso Roast (bold), the last is my very fave. I have yet to try, Sumatra (extra bold), Cafe Verona (bold) and Starbucks 2009 Christmas Blend. Starbucks coffee is love! And I’m glad I learned drinking brewed coffee instead of just the usual frapps which give me so much calories.

As you all know, I’m into tea already, hot or warm is what I drink after meals. I quit drinking cold drinks after meals, it’s been almost 3 weeks now and I’m actually doing fine. One of my wishlist this Christmas is a French Tea Press and I want to blog about how to pick the right press for you.

1. Decide on the size and style tea press you need. Tea presses range from individual press-style travel mugs to large, practical tea presses that may serve a dozen cups of tea or more. Designs vary, including the practical Bodum tea press with a simple plastic and metal plunger and a plain cylinder-shaped carafe, to the elegant Bodum Chambord Coffee/Tea French Press with stainless steel pot rest.
2. Visit the English Tea Store online to look at a variety of tea presses. Shop around at local stores as well, including department stores and discount housewares retailers, such as Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.
3. Check out Liquid Planet for its large selection of coffee and tea presses. They offer a variety of “Desk Press” individual mug tea press choices. These personal mugs come in a variety of colors and are excellent for daily use at home or on the job.
4. Find a tea cozy to keep the tea press warm after steeping the tea. Look for a Koffee Kozee, made especially for tea/ coffee press-style carafes, from Koffee Kompanions online.

If I ever I don’t get this, I will definitely buy one for myself. It’s really hard to drink loose tea from just my mug!

I love Iced Tea. I can try any flavor. Even if it’s rainy season in my side of the world, I still want cold drinks every meal. So I’m sharing what I saw online…

• 2 tea bags (black or herbal)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 plums, sliced
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme

Procedure:

• 1In a large saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, and let steep for 10 minutes. Discard the bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
• 2Stir in the honey, plums, and thyme. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cool, about 1 1/2 hours. Serve over ice.
• 3For an instant cocktail: Stir in 1/2 cup bourbon before serving.