At the table
How to enjoy it
Sip warm. A pot can be shared; confirm its size before ordering.
A useful check
Contains milk, caffeine and added sugar.
How it may vary
Milk or milk powder, tea strength and sweetness vary. This version uses milk powder.
Know what you’re trying.
Prepared sweet milk tea; no fixed brand, pot size or strength.
Ingredients
Black tea, milk powder, white sugar and water.
Origin & regional roots
Tibet
Associated with Tibet.
About this regional connection
Tibet: Sweet milk tea associated with Lhasa.
Ask if they have it first
ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE
请问你们有拉萨甜茶吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A tea-house drink for conversation
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Lhasa sweet-tea houses are places to sit and chat, often with Tibetan noodles or buns. Sweet black tea with milk is different from salty butter tea; distinguish 甜茶 from 酥油茶 when ordering.