Cheese mousse, sometimes called cheese foam or cheese tea, is a sweet and savory whipped cream topping that has become wildly popular.
This rich, fluffy mousse is most commonly served atop iced milk tea drinks at Asian tea shops, but can also make an indulgent addition to coffee, fruit drinks, and more.
With ingredients like cream cheese, milk, sugar, and whipped cream, cheese mousse delivers a sweet yet slightly salty flavor reminiscent of cheesecake. The airy, pourable texture contrasts beautifully against cold tea for a truly divine sip.
What is Cheese Mousse Made Of?
The base ingredients for cheese mousse are quite simple. Most recipes call for just a few affordable pantry staples:
- Cream cheese - Provides tangy flavor and contributes to the rich, creamy texture
- Milk - Thins out the mixture to make it smooth and pourable
- Sugar - Sweetens the mousse
- Whipping cream - Whipped into soft peaks to give the airy, mousse-like texture
- Salt - A pinch of salt balances out sweetness and enhances other flavors
The specific ingredients and proportions vary slightly between recipes. Some use sweetened condensed milk for extra richness, while others incorporate cheese powder for an ultra-indulgent cheesy taste.
But the method is generally the same: Cream together cream cheese, milk, sugar and salt until smooth. Then fold in whipped cream until light and fluffy.
So while the name might sound off-putting at first, cheese mousse is actually a sweet dessert-like foam with just a hint of salt and tang.
The Origins of Cheese Tea
Cheese tea originated in Taiwan in the early 2000s before spreading wildly across Asia. The trend is attributed to Chinese tea vendor Liu Han Chieh, who reportedly came up with idea in Tainan, Taiwan after tasting Italian tiramisu.
Chieh began experimenting with topping cold tea drinks with a sweetened cream cheese mixture, which proved enormously popular with customers. His cheese tea concoction took off like wildfire, kickstarting a phenomenon that would conquer night markets and tea houses across Taiwan.
By the 2010s cheese foam reached mainland China and underwent another explosion in popularity. Chains like Heytea modernized the concept for a new generation with customizable cheese and fruit tea. Patrons started lining up for hours to get their hands on these Instagram-worthy cheesy drinks.
Over the last few years cheese foam tea has likewise enchanted American foodies seeking new ways to indulge their bubble tea obsession. And this luscious mousse is now landing on menus at boba shops nationwide alongside longtime favorites like tapioca pearls.
How to Make Homemade Cheese Mousse
If there's no cheese tea purveyor in your area, don't fret - this sweet topping whips up easily in your own kitchen. With just 5 minutes of active prep time, you can make cheese foam from scratch to elevate all your favorite cold drinks.
Follow this simple recipe to learn how to make the perfect cheese mousse:
Ingredients
- 3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 Tbsp milk
- 1 1⁄2 Tbsp white sugar
- 1⁄2 tsp sea salt
- 1⁄4 cup heavy cream, chilled
Directions
- Combine the cream cheese, milk, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or whisk, beat the ingredients together until completely smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Add the chilled heavy cream and continue mixing on medium speed, whipping until the mixture becomes light, fluffy and holds its shape. Be careful not to overmix or it may curdle.
- Scoop the airy cheese foam over your milk tea or beverage of choice! For best results, serve immediately before the mousse starts to melt.
Key Takeaway: Making homemade cheese mousse takes just 5 easy steps with basic pantry items like cream cheese, milk, sugar and whipped cream.
Tips for Perfect Cheese Foam Texture
Achieving the ideal fluffy-yet-pourable texture for cheese mousse does take some finesse. Follow these pro tips for whipping up cheese foam with the perfect mousse-like consistency:
- Bring cream cheese to room temp before mixing - This helps it blend smooth with no stubborn lumps
- Chill the bowl and heavy cream before whipping - The cold bowl helps the cream whip up faster into soft peaks
- Whip slowly at first then increase speed - Rushing the process can result in overwhipping
- Stop mixing once soft peaks form - Don't whip so long that it gets grainy or stiff
Getting the ratios right is key as well. The cream cheese and milk provide rich, creamy body, while the whipped cream contributes airiness. Adding a touch too much of any one ingredient throws off that delicate balance.
So stick closely to measured amounts in recipes when making your own until you gain a feel for the texture. Adjusting ratios ever so slightly takes some trial and error to land on your ultimate desired result.
How to Drink Cheese Foam Tea
There's no wrong way to enjoy this trendy specialty drink! Part of the appeal lies in its theatrical presentation, with pretty layers of mousse floating atop vividly hued fruit tea.
Most cheese foam fans like to capture the first sip when those layers are still distinct. Tilt your cup at an angle and gently sip so the tea and foam cascade into your mouth simultaneously.
Letting it sit causes the mousse to melt and get absorbed into the actual tea, turning it creamy like a latte. This blended consistency makes for a mighty refreshing and delicious sip all the same!
For ultimate creaminess, blend the entire drink together with a bubble tea shaker once the foam begins softening. The resulting swirly concoction almost resembles a tea-flavored milkshake.
However you choose to imbibe, ditch the straw to properly experience the luscious mouthfeel. And be sure to snap some photos of the mesmerizing layers before mixing - cheese foam tea is almost too pretty to drink!
What Does Cheese Tea Taste Like?
This unique specialty drink offers an interplay of contrasting flavors in one cup:
- The tea base provides bold, aromatic flavor depending on type of leaves used. Green, black and oolong tea are all popular picks.
- The cheese foam topping delivers sweetness reminiscent of vanilla cake frosting, along with a subtle salty tang.
- Fruit purees or syrups infuse bright, tropical essence when added to the tea or foam. Mango, lychee and passionfruit are crowd favorites.
The resulting taste sensation is simply to die for. Every sip bounces between floral tea notes, fruity sweetness and velvety salted cream.
Additional Cheese Foam Variations
While best known for topping bubble tea, versatile cheese foam also makes a decadent addition to all sorts of hot and cold beverages.
Next time you make chocolate milk, fruit smoothies or chilled coffee drinks, try swirling in a dollop of this sweet mousse. The texture and faint saltiness it provides heightens and balances underlying flavors.
Some delicious cheese foam cocktail ideas include:
- Iced matcha latte
- Strawberry limeade
- Mango green tea
- Cold brew coffee
- Hot chocolate
You could even serve cheese mousse straight up for a sweet and salty dessert. Top with fruit preserves, honey, crushed cookies or other embellishments just as you would ordinary whipped cream.
Sky's the limit when it comes to finding new and exciting ways to enjoy this luscious foam!
How Long Does Cheese Foam Last?
Freshly whipped cheese mousse holds its lofty texture best when served straight out the mixing bowl. But you can make it 1-2 days in advance with a few proper storage precautions.
- Place mousse in an airtight container and refrigerate
- Plastic wrap directly on the surface helps prevent drying
- Expect some liquid to separate - remix before using
- Lasts up to 3 days stored properly
Whip up multiple batches of mousse over the week to instantly elevate nightly cups of tea or coffee after dinner. Having it ready to grab from the fridge also cuts down on excuses when that cheese foam craving strikes!
FAQs
What tea goes best with cheese foam?
While delicious on any tea, cheese foam beautifully balances bolder leaves like black, oolong or roasted green. Fruit-infused herbal blends also pair well with the sweet cream topping.
Can you make cheese foam without cream cheese?
Yes, it is possible to make cheese mousse without cream cheese. Some recipes substitute powdered cheese or ricotta cheese instead. But for the signature tangy flavor and ultra-rich body similar to cheesecake, cream cheese works best.
What can I use instead of whipping cream?
You can recreate the airy whipped texture using coconut cream or extra-thick silken tofu in place of dairy heavy cream. For a vegan cheese foam, whip the plant-based substitute with non-dairy milk and powdered cheese.
How do you drink hot cheese tea?
Hot cheese tea features the same sweet whipped cream topping as the cold version. Gently stir the mousse into freshly brewed hot tea until fully incorporated. Or top off your piping cup of tea to enjoy alternating sips of mellow warmth and sweet cloud-like foam.
Can you make cheese foam with yogurt?
Greek yogurt can work beautifully as a substitute for cream cheese, lending similar creamy body and tang. Just strain it first to achieve thicker consistency better suited for whipping up with heavy cream.
Conclusion
From its origins in bustling Taiwanese tea stalls, indulgent cheese foam has won hearts and tastebuds across the globe.
This sweet and salty whipped cream topping provides sheer drinking pleasure when coupled with floral teas and fruit juices.