Hakka ground tea 客家擂茶
Hakka ground tea is featured among the local specialties of Taiwan.
Tea leaves are ground with nuts or seeds to make a fragrant drink. Try it in a Hakka community and ask whether the house version is sweet or savory.
How it is made
Tea leaves are ground with seeds or nuts, then mixed with hot water into a fragrant drink or bowl. The chosen ingredients and sweet or savory seasoning vary between Hakka communities and shops.
Flavour & texture
The result is nutty, tea-scented and slightly grainy, with a fuller body than a clear infusion.
Local roots & traditions
Hakka ground tea is associated with communal preparation and hospitality, and some Taiwan venues invite visitors to try grinding the mixture themselves.
How to order Hakka ground tea
Ask whether the house version is sweet or savory and which nuts or seeds it contains.
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Papaya milk 木瓜牛奶 →
Ripe papaya flesh is blended with milk, with ice and sweetener adjusted by the shop. The drink is best prepared close to serving rather than left standing for long periods. The result is smooth, creamy and gently fruity, with sweetness depending on the ripeness of the papaya as well as added sugar. It is thicker than ordinary flavored milk.
Run bing fresh spring rolls 潤餅 →
A thin, soft wheat wrapper is filled with cooked vegetables and selected meats or other additions, then rolled without deep-frying. Peanut powder and sugar may be included. The wrapper is tender and pliable, with many finely cut textures inside. Sweet peanut seasoning can contrast with the savory vegetables.
Questions before you order
What name should I show when ordering?
Show 客家擂茶 for Hakka ground tea. Ask whether the house version is sweet or savory and which nuts or seeds it contains.