How much milk and sugar to add on Tea
It's often said you can't go wrong with milk tea. Adding milk and sugar to tea is a practice many people enjoy — it brings a rich, creamy taste that can turn a simple cup into a comforting treat. But how do milk and sugar actually affect your tea, and how much should you add?
Milk in Tea: Creamy and Satisfying
When you add milk to tea, it softens the flavour, making it less bitter and more soothing. The creaminess blends with the tea, creating a balanced, mellow taste. Many people enjoy their black tea with milk, as it can bring out rich flavours in teas like Ruby Black Tea (dark cherry, cocoa, bold but smooth — excellent with milk) or a malty Muscatel.
How much milk? A common amount is around 50 ml. With 2% milk, that's about 25 calories. The creamier the milk, the more calories it adds. Whole milk has more calories than skim; oat milk is a popular Canadian alternative that adds a slight sweetness.
Sugar in Tea: Sweeten It Up
Adding sugar balances bitterness — especially popular in strong black teas. A typical serving is about one teaspoon (not tablespoon), which adds roughly 16 calories. If you enjoy sweeter tea, alternatives like honey (pairs beautifully with Muscatel Black Tea's honey-grape character), agave syrup, or stevia offer natural sweetness with different caloric profiles.
Note: High-quality high-altitude teas from Nepal's Ilam and Taplejung at 5,000–7,000 ft are naturally sweet due to low tannin content. Many people find they need significantly less sugar — or none at all — once they switch to whole-leaf Nepali tea from CTC or tea bags.
Milk Tea with Sugar: A Comfort in a Cup
When you combine milk and sugar in tea, you create a comforting, satisfying drink. It's rich, creamy, and sweet — perfect both for morning ritual and afternoon relaxation. This combination is beloved across cultures, from the classic British "builder's tea" to the sweet, creamy chai enjoyed across Nepal and India.
The caloric breakdown:
- 50 ml of 2% milk: ~25 calories
- 1 tsp of sugar: ~16 calories
That's 41 calories per cup — compare that to a grande iced tea latte from a coffee shop, which can have around 240 calories. Making your own tea at home gives you complete control over what goes in the cup.
Should You Add Milk and Sugar?
Entirely personal preference. But here are some guidelines:
- With CTC tea bags: Milk and sugar help compensate for the bitterness and lack of nuance in lower-grade tea
- With high-altitude whole-leaf Nepali teas: Try the tea plain first. The natural sweetness and low tannins may mean you prefer it without additions — or with just a touch of honey
- Watching calories: A plain cup of quality loose leaf tea is essentially calorie-free. Adding milk and sugar is a choice, not a requirement
Teas That Taste Great Without Sugar
High-altitude Nepali teas are naturally sweet with no bitterness — many drinkers find they don't need any sugar at all. Try: Muscatel Black (honey-grape), Floral Green (jasmine-adjacent, naturally sweet), Floral White (spring blossom). Or start with the Sampler Kit ($30). Ships across Canada.