Some fictional men bring flowers, and others remember your coffee order. And then there is Luke from the C-drama The Early Spring, who makes Flora a warm cup of osmanthus milk. One little gesture, a frothy glass and suddenly, everyone wants to know what this mysterious drink tastes like. If you have been seeing osmanthus milk pop up on your feed, here’s everything you need to know about the floral beverage and how to recreate it in your kitchen.
What Is Osmanthus Milk That Has Everyone Talking?
Osmanthus milk is a warm and milky beverage infused with tiny golden osmanthus flowers, known for their distinctly sweet and fruity fragrance. Mmm! Popular in Chinese food and tea culture, these blossoms have an aroma often compared to apricots, peaches and honey. Unlike flavoured coffees or sugary milkshakes, this drink has a rather delicate taste. The floral tit-bits take centre stage, while the milk gives it a creamy climax.
The version featured in the viral recipe also uses black tea and rock sugar. Together, these ingredients create a lightly sweet and aromatic drink that is particularly lovely on chilly mornings or when you want something other than your regular adrak chai. And no, you don’t need to be a character in a C-drama to enjoy it!
Also Read: 10 Places In India That Look Straight Out Of A K-Drama
How To Make Osmanthus Milk At Home
The good news is that you can prepare this drama-inspired drink in just 10 minutes. The recipe uses five simple ingredients, although finding dried osmanthus flowers might require a little hunting.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp dried osmanthus flowers
- 1 tbsp black tea leaves
- 15 g yellow rock sugar (regular rock sugar works too)
- 100ml water
- 250ml whole milk (soy milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative)
Method:
- Take a small heatproof teapot or saucepan and add the dried osmanthus flowers and black tea leaves.
- Sprinkle the rock sugar over the mixture.
- Pour in the water and heat for approximately two minutes, stirring continuously so the ingredients don’t stick or scorch.
- Add the milk and let everything cook on a low flame until tiny bubbles begin appearing around the edges.
- Switch off the heat immediately. Do not let the milk reach a rolling boil, as excessive heat can affect its texture and floral flavour.
- Strain the beverage into a cup and garnish with a few dried osmanthus flowers.
Recipe adapted from HerSpringHouse, with original recipe credits to Zhengzheng’s Wellness Diary on RedNote.
Also Read: What Is Black Milk? Adah Sharma Shares A Unique Recipe To Try At Home
Where Can You Find Osmanthus Flowers In India?
Dried osmanthus flowers aren’t a regular supermarket staple in India, but you can look for them at speciality Asian grocery stores, imported tea shops and online marketplaces. Search for guihua, the Chinese name for osmanthus flowers, and make sure you purchase food-grade varieties. You can also explore osmanthus syrup if dried flowers aren’t available.
Also Read: Delhi Winters Call For Coffee, Comfort Food And Cosy Corners At Cortasso
So, the next time the weather calls for a warm beverage, perhaps skip your usual coffee and give this floral concoction a chance. Luke and Flora might have made it look romantic, but honestly, a little self-care in a cup sounds pretty wonderful too.
Cover Image Courtesy: Netflix India and sikfankitchen/Instagram
FAQs
What is osmanthus milk?
Osmanthus milk is a warm, creamy beverage infused with dried osmanthus flowers. Popular in Chinese food and tea culture, the drink has a delicate floral fragrance with fruity notes reminiscent of apricots, peaches and honey.
Why is osmanthus milk trending?
The beverage gained attention after featuring in the C-drama The Early Spring, where Luke makes a warm cup of osmanthus milk for Flora. The scene sparked curiosity about the floral drink and its recipe.
How do you make osmanthus milk at home?
You can prepare it using dried osmanthus flowers, black tea leaves, rock sugar, water and whole milk. Simmer the flowers, tea and sugar in water, add milk, heat gently without boiling and strain into a cup.
