A new transparent milk tea drink from Japan is taking everyone who has tried it by storm because you can trust the Japanese to come up with something so insane.

The "Premium Morning Tea" by Suntory from Japan looks just like water, but tastes every bit like milk tea.

Released in September 2017

Singaporeans who have been to Japan recently would have seen the Suntory transparent milk tea, which was released in September 2017.

This is a follow-up product from a previous lemon tea-flavored water produced by the company earlier in April.

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How it is made

In order to dispel the notion that the transparent milk tea is nothing but artificial flavoring, Suntory produced a simple video demonstrating the method of how it is made.

Tea leaves

Water is first boiled to produce water vapour. The water vapour is passed through loose black tea leaves and becomes infused with aroma. The gas then gets cooled in a condenser, leaving behind crystal clear liquid that still retains the tea flavors.

The tea leaves in the video do not come into full contact with water, meaning that not all chemical compounds and taste will be extracted. So, even though it won't taste exactly like rich black tea, it is pretty close.

Colourless milk

Suntory also provided a diagram to show how the transparent milk tea gets its milk taste.

Apparently, milk is broadly made up of milk fat, milk protein, lactose and milk minerals.

Lactose and milk minerals are transparent. By simply utilising lactose and milk minerals, Suntory can impart the flavour of milk into drinks while the liquid remains crystal clear.

This means the transparent milk tea is unsuitable for people who are lactose-intolerant.

Is it available in Singapore?

Singapore does not carry the transparent milk tea or lemon tea as yet, although vending machines have been selling the transparent orange water and yogurt drink by Suntory. [Update, Nov. 17, 2017: It is sold in Singapore.]

For those who are desperate, Qoo10 ships it wholesale.

If you have information about Suntory transparent milk tea's release in Singapore, drop us a message at [email protected]