Quick Answer
Cheese foam is a layer of whipped, slightly salty cream cheese foam floating on iced tea; the whole drink is called cheese tea. According to English Wikipedia, cheese tea appeared at Taiwanese night markets around 2010, spread to Guangdong, China in 2012, and was later reworked by Chinese tea brands with cream cheese and fresh milk and taken to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the UK and the US. The classic foam is cream cheese + whipping cream or condensed milk + salt; for speed and consistency, shops also whip cheese foam powder with milk.
The Origin of Cheese Tea
Summarized from English Wikipedia’s “Cheese tea”:
| When | Development |
|---|---|
| Around 2010 | Iced tea topped with foam appears at Taiwanese night markets |
| 2012 | Spreads to Guangdong, China |
| Later | Chinese tea brands rework it with cream cheese and fresh milk and expand internationally |
Early cheese foam was made from cheese powder with whipping cream and milk; premium cream cheese versions came later.
What Is Cheese Foam Made Of?
| Method | Main ingredients | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Classic cheese foam | Cream cheese, whipping cream or condensed milk, salt | Velvety, higher cost |
| Cheese foam powder | Foam powder + fresh milk or water, whipped | Fast, consistent, shelf-stable powder |
Follow each powder’s pack for the ratio of water or milk.
How Do You Drink Cheese Tea?
Cheese tea is usually not stirred: drink from the rim so you taste the salty-sweet foam first, then the iced tea beneath, or tilt the cup to get both together.
Popular Cheese Foam Drinks
| Drink | Tea base |
|---|---|
| Cheese foam black tea | Assam, Ceylon and other black teas |
| Cheese foam Four Seasons Spring or oolong | Four Seasons Spring, charcoal-roasted oolong |
| Cheese foam green tea | Jasmine green tea |
| Cheese foam fruit tea | Fruit tea topped with foam |
For choosing a tea base, see What Tea Is Best for Milk Tea?
Tang Sugar’s Cheese Foam Powders
Tang Sugar supplies original, cheese, tiramisu, crème brûlée, pistachio, chocolate (“dirty”) and vanilla foam powders, in 1kg bags (20 per carton). Request samples to test them.
Products in this article
All 9 Flavor Powders →
FAQ
What is cheese foam?
A layer of whipped, slightly salty cream cheese foam floating on iced tea.
Where did cheese tea originate?
According to English Wikipedia, at Taiwanese night markets around 2010, spreading to Guangdong, China in 2012.
What is cheese foam made of?
Classically cream cheese with whipping cream or condensed milk and salt; shops also whip cheese foam powder with milk.
Should you stir cheese tea?
Usually not. Drink from the rim to taste the foam first, then the tea, or tilt the cup to get both together.
What is the difference between cheese foam tea and milk tea?
Cheese foam is whipped, usually slightly salty cream cheese foam floating on top of a drink; milk tea is tea mixed with milk or creamer. Cheese tea puts a layer of foam on tea, so you taste salty creaminess first and then the tea.
Where can shops buy cheese foam powder?
Wholesale from bubble tea ingredient suppliers; whip it with milk or water for fast, consistent foam. Tang Sugar offers original, cheese, tiramisu, crème brûlée, pistachio and more in 1kg bags.
Further Reading
- What Is Non-Dairy Creamer?
- What Tea Is Best for Milk Tea?
- What Is Four Seasons Spring Tea?
- What Is Masala Chai?
- Hong Kong Milk Tea vs Taiwanese Milk Tea
Sources
- Wikipedia: Cheese tea
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
