cheese + tea = cheese tea

October 28, 2017 4:33 PM

Apparently "macchiato-like in form", cheese tea is a beverage topped with frothy, whipped cheese. Currently popular in China and Singapore, known as zhi shì chá in Mandarin, and now available in London at Asian tea chain Happy Lemon, this style of tea comes in flavours such as matcha, oolong, jasmine and black tea. Apparently the original Taiwanese recipe used powdered cheese, but adapted over time to use fresh cream cheese for a richer taste. In Los Angeles, options include creme brûlée cream and crushed Oreos over black milk tea. Refinery29: "'The rich cheese foam makes the tea taste even better.'" How best to drink? "When you drink this way, you can feel two layers of taste - cheese followed by tea". Not recommended to make in your Teforia.
posted by Wordshore (54 comments total)

(noted several discrepancies concerning the origin(s) of cheese tea across various newspaper articles and online sources)
posted by Wordshore at 4:34 PM on October 28, 2017

First Teforia goes belly-up and now this. Coincidence? I think not.
posted by adamrice at 4:41 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.....
posted by kuanes at 4:42 PM on October 28, 2017 [4 favorites]

There is a Happy Lemon that opened up one block away from my apartment this summer! I have so far been too afraid to try the cheese tea but their iced lemon + jelly tea drink is pretty tasty and refreshing on a hot day. Maybe this post is finally the nudge I need to go and try it...
posted by btfreek at 4:48 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

There are several Happy Lemon outlets here in the silicon valley suburbs and yeah, that stuff is indeed weird. Good chain though, quality boba.
posted by GuyZero at 4:50 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Teese
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:53 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

but
why
posted by halation at 4:53 PM on October 28, 2017 [7 favorites]

I'm over here, waiting for a palatable macaroni and cheese coffee, thanks.
posted by ardgedee at 4:58 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

This is a silly thing, but on a song i wrote long ago which is finished musically but not lyrically, one of my nonsense placeholder verses is:

“Please, tell me please —
Do you like cheese in your tea?”

I’ve been singing that for years. Now you tell me it’s a real thing.
posted by D.C. at 4:59 PM on October 28, 2017 [11 favorites]

Yak butter or gtfo.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:12 PM on October 28, 2017 [13 favorites]

There's a good Dinner Party Download segment [link goes to a page with both audio and transcript, as well as photos and a gif of Rico trying the tea] about cheese tea. I admit the concept sounded heinous at first, but after listening to the segment and hearing Rico proclaim it delicious, I kind of wanted to try it.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:13 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Dessert cheeses are a thing, so I could see this being pretty tasty. I mean, it even looks a bit like whipped mascarpone.
posted by tobascodagama at 5:17 PM on October 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

Also, if that description read something like, "this style of tea comes in flavors like matcha, oolong, frankincense, mutton, ennui, and umbrella," I would not be any more surprised.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:17 PM on October 28, 2017 [13 favorites]

I love cheese and I would try this. It sounds a whole lot better than butter in my coffee.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:19 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

this style of tea comes in flavours such as matcha, oolong, jasmine and black tea

So you’re saying it comes in basically all flavors of tea then

(Oolong refers to literally any tea oxidized to any point between 0% for green and 100% for black)
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:24 PM on October 28, 2017 [4 favorites]

For me, cream cheese makes damn near anything better. It singlehandedly justifies the existence of Kraft Foods, the City of Philadelphia, AND 'supermarket' bagels. Replacing the cream in tea (or coffee or any hot beverage) with cream cheese just seems like an evolutionary step toward ultimate yumminess.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:27 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

I've had this before and I really enjoyed it. Odd to hear people talk about throwing up, it's quite nice!
posted by Carillon at 5:41 PM on October 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

We noticed cheese tea for sale in Oakland recently and I was deeply repulsed. Different strokes!
posted by latkes at 5:42 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yeah one just opened in Berkeley. It's pretty packed!
posted by kenko at 5:44 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Suddenly realised that in the kitchen I have:

- A box of Tetley tea bags.
- A can of Easy Cheese I bought from a Walmart in Iowa in the summer of 2015.

So you can probably guess what I am going to attempt to make tomorrow. Wish me luck!
posted by Wordshore at 6:15 PM on October 28, 2017 [6 favorites]

> - A can of Easy Cheese I bought from a Walmart in Iowa in the summer of 2015.

How did you manage to smuggle that through Customs? I thought the UK was strict about imported toxins.
posted by ardgedee at 6:17 PM on October 28, 2017 [4 favorites]

Wish me luck!

I'm wishing you luck, which in my opinion the best luck would be if those two items spontaneously combusted leaving you no opportunity to combine them.
posted by Daily Alice at 6:21 PM on October 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

Still keeping my local source for Egg Coffee on the down low so it doesn't get swamped.
posted by CheapB at 6:28 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

I saw an ad for this on my way home from work— it’s definitely arrived in Flushing. The only English on the ad was “cheese tea” and I thought for sure it was a shaky translation— but no! I’ll try it and report back. I’m usually pleasantly surprised by new food combinations I’ve had in Flushing— a sweet potatos garlic croissant sounds weird on paper but is actually amazing, for example.
posted by blnkfrnk at 6:49 PM on October 28, 2017 [4 favorites]

I’m usually pleasantly surprised by new food combinations I’ve had in Flushing

Sounds like someone hasn’t tried the durian pizza.
posted by betweenthebars at 7:12 PM on October 28, 2017 [5 favorites]

sweet potatos garlic croissant sounds weird on paper but is actually amazing, for example.

That doesn't sound weird--that sounds delicious!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:23 PM on October 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

I like pineapple on pizza, so durian’s not that different. It’s the limburger of tropical fruit, correct? I like stinky cheese fine.
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:27 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

Fuck it, I'm stuck at home working on Saturday night, the least I deserve is to try cheese tea. brb
posted by btfreek at 7:33 PM on October 28, 2017 [4 favorites]

There is a place near where I live and I'm tempted...someone who has tried it, please describe and compare to another food item.
posted by Toddles at 7:38 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Mmmm this is my favorite new thing. I've had it 5 times on 2 continents in the past month. I would describe the 'cheese' as more of a heavy salted cream, at least in the ones I've had. Overall, the taste is akin to salted caramel ice cream, and it drinks like a smooth, thick beer.

When the layers mix together (as tends to happen when you get to the bottom of the cup) it's nothing to write home about, though not gross. But the first few sips, when you get layers of cream and chilled tea dancing in your mouth, are just magical.
posted by mantecol at 7:51 PM on October 28, 2017 [4 favorites]

Recipes. I need recipes. It sounds wonderful, like liquid cheesecake or something.
posted by polymodus at 8:06 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

I had to put on pants and nearly got run over by a Foodora cyclist while crossing the street, but: cheese tea. I got the green tea in the smallest size because it was the cheapest option (..which was still $5.15 CAD. oof).

First impression: the cheese doesn't have much of a strong taste, maybe adds a slightly salty, yogurty tang to the sweet tea. It does give me a nice creamy mouthfeel (kind of reminds of drinking a latte through the foam). I suppose my strongest endorsement is that after two sips I removed the lid for more efficient cheese drinking, though then this introduced the problem of the ice getting into my mouth every time I tried to take a drink.

At the bottom of my cup there are now little chunks of solid cheese mixed in with the slowly melting ice, which I am feeling very ambivalent about.
posted by btfreek at 8:09 PM on October 28, 2017 [9 favorites]

no, this sounds terrible, as anyone will know if they've ever sadly tried to substitute non-liquid dairy products in their morning tea/coffee when they've run out of milk.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:09 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

OK I watched a different video, it's basically a classic "cheese mousse" that you can make yourself at home. I would try making it in this order:

Proportion to taste and consistency as appropriate:

1. Cream cheese + cream cheese powder + milk + condensed milk, mix well, making sure it's thin enough. Season with salt, sugar to taste.

2. Fold in fresh whipped cream, 1:1 is a good starting point. Use immediately (spoon/ladle on top of chilled tea).

One of the articles said they use cheddar cheese though. No idea how that would work.
posted by polymodus at 8:15 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

i do like these, but i'm suspicious of any outlets that would serve you anything tht would leave a cheesy solid mass behind, that sounds like a terrible recipe, especially if visible ice is also present (the drink should be chilled). they do taste like cheese mousse. very filling, i don't often go for it (i'll stick to gong cha's signature foam - sliiiightly lighter but it's dairy based as well).

anyway that said, i much prefer it with chilled coffee, the stronger taste goes better, it's like an afternoon coffee cake in a cup.
posted by cendawanita at 8:23 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Metafilter: mutton, ennui, and umbrella
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:31 PM on October 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

Sign me up.
posted by wintersweet at 8:52 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

no, this sounds terrible, as anyone will know if they've ever sadly tried to substitute non-liquid dairy products in their morning tea/coffee when they've run out of milk.

*conceives of having Philadelphia cream cheese coffee with a bagel, head explodes*
posted by XMLicious at 9:43 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

So is this really not too different than sea salt iced coffee, then?
posted by sleeping bear at 10:41 PM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

y'know, some people like cheese on apple pie. "Apple pie without the cheese is like a hug without a squeeze," reads the menu at one of me & my honey's favorite restaurants. Before I'd met her I had never even considered the concept of apple pie + cheese. I have since figured out the secret that everyone seems to have known all along, deep in their heart and thick in their arteries:

cheese goes with anything.

Any. Thing.



anything
posted by not_on_display at 11:44 PM on October 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

this is more like shaved cheese ice on an apple pie milkshake though
posted by poffin boffin at 12:19 AM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

cheese goes with anything.

Any. Thing.



anything


yea, and as this example shows you, asia got on board with that whole philosophy in a big way.
other examples:
banana fritters with cheese (iirc indonesians came up with this first)
bak kut teh (herbal pork bone soup) with cheese
fried rice with cheese or cheese baked rice (invented in HK iirc)
cheese naan (or my personal fave, GARLIC cheese naan)

(the street food here only usually uses kraft singles also, so it's not even like super-fancy cheese)

cheese tea was really a matter of time.
posted by cendawanita at 1:53 AM on October 29, 2017 [4 favorites]

Every time I pass by my local Happy Lemon in Flushing I am tempted to buy it and at the same time repulsed. Tea and cheese? Inconceivable! Now that some Mefites have commented on how it actually tastes I'm very slightly more likely to try it.
posted by starlybri at 5:56 AM on October 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

I like pineapple on pizza, so durian’s not that different.

You are correct, in that durian has a similar texture and juiciness as pineapple, and even tastes vaguely like it. The unfortunate part is after you have the durian in your mouth, when the taste of rancid onions/gym socks/decay (depending on your tastebuds) really hits you, and you realize that durian is nothing at all like pineapple.
posted by chainsofreedom at 7:00 AM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

> cheese goes with anything.

As a dedicated cheeseophile, I would have still been skeptical of this claim except I had cheese ddeokbokki (the rice cakes had mozarella-like cheese filling) the other day and for something that has no right to exist it was pretty good.

Cheese, of course, has precedent in Korean instant ramen in various forms, from ramen with cheese-powder flavoring for the sauce, to DIYing it by fixing a bowl of spicy ramen and draping a slice of American cheese over it.
posted by ardgedee at 7:54 AM on October 29, 2017 [3 favorites]

you realize that durian is nothing at all like pineapple

my personal opinion is durian is terrible once you try to use it as an ingredient in the same approximate way as with other baked stuffs. here's a local opinion: just have it fresh/raw or chilled, then you can properly decide. applying heat to it for western-style foods tends to have more hits than misses, and food technology has yet to make it not gross in cookies and chips and stuff. i hate all these durian stuff, it just doesn't taste good, except durian puffs which is basically choux puffs stuffed with fresh durian + whipped cream (which again, chilled and raw). the only time when cooking it isn't a mistake is when you've already fermented it (malaysians/singaporeans call it tempoyak) with a bit of salt and leave it for a few days, and then add it to a local stew.

anyway, unlike cheese, durian in fact doesn't go with anything. unless it's raw, then hell yes.
posted by cendawanita at 8:07 AM on October 29, 2017 [3 favorites]

No, no, I don’t know what I was thinking. This is gross.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:50 AM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

MetaFilter: draping a slice of American cheese over it.
posted by Wordshore at 9:27 AM on October 29, 2017 [3 favorites]

Ah...My friends and I tried this in downtown LA a couple weeks ago, in a noticeably empty shop. We were not fans. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever tried, though...
posted by sprezzy at 10:09 AM on October 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

One time when I was still in my late teens, I was babysitting four little boys all under the age of eight. Within hours of my arrival I came down with the flu very suddenly and fell asleep on their couch. I woke up startled to the sound of the bathtub running. The boys had filled the bathtub with water and had thrown into it every tea bag in the house and an entire economy sized pack of Kraft singles (released from their plastic wraps, wraps thrown in too). They were laughing their heads off. I, feeling disoriented and nauseous, saw this and vomited on the spot. But it wasn't just my flu or my disgust, that made me so sick right then. I think it was that I was completely confused by the instance of tea and cheese together in a bath tub, and that that was what threw me over the edge that day.
posted by marimeko at 5:46 PM on October 29, 2017 [7 favorites]

It's not that weird, and certainly not vomit-inducing. When we tried it a year ago in at a Happy Lemon in Flushing — it was sold out the first time we tried to get it — we were actually a little disappointed that it didn't taste stronger or saltier; as noted, it's mostly just creamy. Then again, we do enjoy durian (fun fact: related to cacao, and we don't even like chocolate). But despite its novelty, cheese tea isn't weirder~ than, say, kombucha or bubble tea, so. We also had Colombian hot chocolate with cheese, which is not whipped, at the Queens night market at around the same time.
posted by eyeball at 6:51 PM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

Don't think of the cheese used for these teas as a sharp cheddar or strong blue. It comes out more like a thicker milk foam with very tiny chewy bits. I buy one from time to time from LiHo, but I still yearn for the creamy milk foam from Gongcha.
posted by Alnedra at 8:53 PM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

This is my absolute favourite drink ever and I got one every day while living in Shanghai after trying it once out of curiosity and getting hooked. Much like the 'cheese flavoured' portugese tarts sold at Lillians, it doesn't actually taste like cheese, but is more of a creamy, tangy cheesecake style flavour. I have mine with chocolate milk and pearls and I only hope it becomes more popular so I can go into BBT places other than Happy Lemon, who stiffed me on my loyalty card free drink!
posted by everydayanewday at 10:05 PM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

Someone should do a paraphrase of "If you like cheese and you like peas, then you’ll love these!" only with teas rather than peas.... squeezy cheezy teaz.
posted by misteraitch at 2:18 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]