What Is Pudding Milk Tea? 3 Great Recipes You Can Try

Are you looking for a lighter dessert that is easy on the waistline? Then, pudding milk tea is for you! So, what is pudding milk tea? Keep reading to find out.

What is pudding milk tea
Pudding is a delicious, sweet gelatin-style dessert

Pudding is a delicious dessert that people crave because usually, soft, comforting, and is not overbearing it terms of taste and serving size. This pudding adds a unique twist to milk teas.

Pudding in milk tea shops has a custard-like flavor and is made from egg yolks, cream, and sugar, but it is firmer because gelatin is added — similar to a very soft flan. A very popular trend among milk tea shops is to use an egg custard layer as a popular boba topping option. As the custard dissolves into the drink, it imparts a velvety, savory-sweet flavor.

You may also be interested in reading our guide on what is the best bubble tea flavor.

What Kind Of Pudding Is In Milk Tea?

The pudding in your milk tea is not your typical pudding. The pudding in your milk tea is typically made with sugar, whole milk, and lactose-free milk, as well as non-dairy creamer. You might also be interested in learning is Javy real coffee.

What Does Pudding Milk Tea Taste Like?

It’s definitely a different experience from tapioca pearls, which are very chewy and starchy. The texture of the pudding varies quite a bit from place to place, with some being very dense and eggy while others are more like Jell-O.

The texture is using creamy and smooth, not unlike jelly with a sweet flavor. You’ll often find this treat contains sugar, eggs, and milk, and is topped with bubble tea or boba pearls. They have a light chew and go well with creamier, more indulgent milk teas

The Nutrition Of Pudding

Pudding milk tea flavors include vanilla, chocolate, rice, tapioca, and butterscotch. However, you should keep in mind that there are benefits and drawbacks of drinking pudding milk tea in terms of nutrition.

1. Calcium

Milk is a good source of calcium. This mineral is vital for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body. It can be found in teeth, red blood cells, and bones. Calcium also plays a role in nerve impulse transmissions, muscle contractions, and hormone secretions.

bones need calcium
Calcium is one of the nutritional benefits of pudding milk tea

2. Vitamins And Minerals

Pudding milk tea provides a few vitamins and minerals. However, it contains small amounts of magnesium and vitamin D, which are essential nutrients. They work collaboratively with calcium to ensure our bones and tooth enamel are strong.

You can also find the following nutrients in pudding milk tea:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Magnesium
  • Riboflavin

3. Protein

This pudding contains protein, thanks to milk and eggs. Protein aids muscle contraction and red blood cell reproduction. It also promotes hair, nail, and skin health. If you have a sweet tooth, check out our dessert café explainer.

4. Carbohydrates

Most kinds of pudding milk tea contain carbohydrates. Sugar-free pudding milk tea has fewer carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are abundant in pudding milk tea flavors like banana, butterscotch, and pistachio. 

The body uses carbohydrates for energy, but unused carbohydrates can become fat. 

5. Fat

The pudding mix and the milk contain saturated fat. You should limit saturated fat because it raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease.

6. Sodium

Although pudding milk tea is sweet, it contains a lot of sodium. Excess sodium can lead to edema and high blood pressure. Edema is defined as swelling of the feet, legs, and arms, so monitor your sodium intake closely.

7. Calories

You should avoid regular pudding milk tea if you’re watching your weight. Pudding milk tea contains a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain. If you’re watching what you eat, there are low-fat and fat-free varieties – as well as those made with skim milk.

Japanese Pudding Milk Tea Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings 1

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Ramekins or similar containers
  • Reusable teabag or infuser

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ⅓ tbsp hojicha tea leaves or another kind of green tea
  • 15 ounces milk or non-dairy alternative
  • 1 ⅔ tbsp sugar
  • 1 ⅔ tbsp kudzu jelly powder

Instructions
 

  • Add the milk to a pot and simmer.
  • Take the pot off the heat and add the tea leaves. Steep for 10 minutes, and then scoop out the tea leaves. This step is easier if you steep the tea in a reusable teabag or infuser.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and put it back on the heat.
  • Whisk the mixture until the texture begins to thicken.
  • Pour the mixture into ramekins.
  • Store in the fridge until stiff.

Egg Custard Milk Tea Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Strainer
  • Saucepan
  • Cups
  • Glass
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • Hong Kong Milk Tea (Ceylon black tea and milk)
  • 2 tbsp large tapioca pearls
  • 2 tbsp small tapioca pearls
  • 2 tbsp diced grass jelly
  • ice cubes
  • 1 cup whole milk (divided)
  • 1 tsp gelatin powder
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Add the gelatin to a quarter cup of milk and set it aside.
  • Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl.
  • In a small saucepan, simmer a quarter cup of milk. This is a new serving of milk, not the gelatin mixture.
  • Pour the warmed milk into the egg mixture and whisk.
  • Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, stirring it for about two minutes on low heat.
  • Pour the gelatin mixture into the pot and stir.
  • Once the custard has thickened, set it aside and prepare the tea.
  • Add the large and small tapioca pearls to a glass.
  • Add a couple of ice cubes.
  • Pour the milk tea over the ice cubes.
  • Top with grass jelly and egg custard pudding. Serve, and enjoy!

fresh natural homemade vanilla custard pastry cream
Egg custard pudding

Earl Grey Pudding Milk Tea Recipe

Prep Time 12 hours

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Strainer
  • Jar
  • Bowl or mug

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk or non-dairy alternative
  • 2 Earl Grey tea bags or loose leaves
  • 2 tbsp condensed coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp agar-agar powder

Instructions
 

  • Put the tea, milk, and condensed coconut milk in a small pot. Simmer the ingredients on medium heat.
  • Strain the mixture into a bowl to remove the tea leaves once the milk turns brown.
  • Pour it back into the pot.
  • Add agar-agar to the mixture and whisk.
  • Bring it to a boil and then remove from the heat right away.
  • Pour the mixture into a bowl or mug.
  • Refrigerate overnight or for at least three to four hours until the pudding has set.

You may also be interested in reading our guide on the equipment you need to make milk tea at home.

Author

  • Aisling O'Connor

    Aisling is an Irish food and drinks writer and journalist fueled by coffee and herbal tea. She followed up her journalism degree with nutrition studies. Find Aisling on LinkedIn.