Sea Salt Cheese Foam Hot Black Tea: A Comforting Hong Kong–Style Winter Drink

When winter settles in, warm drinks become more than a habit. They turn into small rituals that slow us down and bring comfort to everyday moments. Sea salt cheese foam, hot black tea is one of those drinks. Rich, layered, and deeply satisfying, it balances creamy texture with bold tea flavour in a way that feels both indulgent and grounding.

Popular in Hong Kong–style cafés, this drink combines strong black tea with a lightly salted cheese foam, creating contrast and depth in every sip. Served hot, it is especially comforting on cold days, warming both body and mind.

Why Sea Salt Cheese Foam Works So Well with Black Tea

The appeal of this drink lies in balance.
Black tea provides structure and warmth, with a natural bitterness that anchors the drink. The cheese foam adds richness and smoothness, while sea salt sharpens the flavours and prevents the drink from feeling heavy or overly sweet.

Instead of overpowering the tea, the foam softens it. As the two layers meet, the flavours slowly blend, making each sip slightly different from the last.

Sea Salt Cheese Foam Hot Black Tea Recipe

Ingredients

For the cheese foam

• 30 g cream cheese

• 100 g whipping cream

• 1 g sea salt

• 20 g slab sugar syrup

For the tea

• 1 black tea bag

• Hot water

• Dried osmanthus (optional, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Foam

In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, whipping cream, sea salt, and slab sugar syrup.
Whip the mixture until it becomes smooth, thick, and pourable. The texture should be creamy and stable, with a balanced salty-sweet taste.

Step 2: Brew the Black Tea

Steep the black tea bag in hot water for about 3 minutes to extract a rich, amber-colored tea.
Remove the tea bag to avoid bitterness and keep the tea warm.

Step 3: Assemble the Drink

Pour the hot black tea into a cup, filling it to about 70 percent. This leaves enough space for the cheese foam.

Step 4: Add the Cheese Foam

Gently spoon or pour the cheese foam over the surface of the tea. The foam should sit lightly on top, creating a clear layered effect.

Step 5: Finish with Osmanthus

Sprinkle a small amount of dried osmanthus over the foam for a subtle floral aroma and visual contrast.

Tips for the Best Texture and Flavour

• The cheese foam should be thick but still fluid enough to sip

• Do not overbrew the tea, as bitterness can overpower the foam

• Adjust the salt slightly to suit personal taste

• Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between hot tea and creamy foam

A Drink Made for Slow Winter Moments

As you sip, the warm tea flows through the creamy foam, carrying gentle saltiness, soft sweetness, and deep tea notes in one mouthful. The osmanthus adds a light floral finish that lingers quietly.

Sea salt cheese foam and hot black tea are not just drinks. It is a pause. A moment of warmth during busy days, perfect for afternoons at home or quiet evenings in.

Sometimes, comfort comes in a cup.