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Best Budget Tea Bags for Milk Tea: Black Tea Edition (Global)

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Best Budget Tea Bags for Milk Tea at Home (Global Edition)


Milk tea is my little comfort ritual , something I love sipping while working, reading, or just taking a break from the day. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to taste good. The only catch? Buying milk tea all the time adds up (both money and sugar-wise), so I’ve learned to make it at home.

And when it comes to homemade milk tea, black tea is the classic base. It’s what gives your drink that strong, smooth flavour that holds up against milk, sugar, or condensed milk. But here’s the good news: you don’t need expensive loose-leaf or a full tea setup. A simple box of good black tea bags can do the trick,  if you choose the right ones.

This post is all about budget-friendly black tea bags you can find around the world, so I will focus on International Brands.  Whether you're shopping online or browsing your local grocery store, these picks are easy to get, affordable, and make a solid cup of milk tea.

Let’s get brewing!


My Top Picks: Budget Tea Bags That Work for Milk Tea

1. Twinings English Breakfast

Mid-range affordable | Easy to find in most countries

Twinings has a smoother, slightly richer taste than Lipton. It’s not super strong, but it gives a clean black tea flavor that’s great with milk. This one is especially good if you like a less “harsh” brew.

Great for: London fogs, oat milk lattes, or a mellow iced milk tea.

For reference: Twinings English Breakfast Tea Bags are on Amazon US for USD$11.89 for a 100-count box, which is  → ~$0.12 per bag

2. Marks & Spencer English Breakfast 

Mid-range affordable | Available in M&S stores and online

M&S tea bags are super underrated. Their English Breakfast blend is smooth, full-bodied, and holds up well with milk — no weird aftertaste, no flatness. Bonus: Their Earl Grey has just the right amount of bergamot and is amazing with oat milk.

Works well for: Afternoon milk tea, “London fog” style drinks, or even iced milk tea if you double brew.

For reference: M&S English Breakfast is around USD15.88 for 100 bags on Amazon US  → ~$0.15 per bag


3.  Dilmah Ceylon Tea

Affordable in Asia & online | Ceylon-style boldness

Dilmah teas are packed with flavor,  perfect if you want a stronger brew with that tannin-y bite that stands out through milk. It’s a great alternative to pricier loose-leaf teas, especially if you like Sri Lankan or Indian tea styles.

Works well for: Iced milk tea, masala chai, or condensed milk combos.

For reference: Dilmah Premium Ceylon Tea Bags are on Amazon US for USD$12.33 for a 100-count box, → ~$0.12 per bag


4. Yorkshire Tea ( Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Red )

Budget-friendly in bulk |  UK favorite, available internationally and online

Yorkshire Tea is a cult favorite for a reason ,  it’s strong, malty, and perfect with milk. If you like your milk tea with a bold backbone, this one’s for you. It brews dark and robust without going bitter, making it ideal for thick Hong Kong-style or British-style milk teas.

Tip: Get the 240-count box for better value ,  it lasts ages and stays fresh if stored well.

Works well for: Strong iced milk tea, breakfast brews, condensed milk teas.

For reference: Yorkshire Tea on Amazon USD$16.49 for 240 bags on Amazon US → ~$0.07 per bag

5. Ahmad English Breakfast

Mid-range affordable | Available online

Ahmad Tea offers a rich, full-bodied English Breakfast blend that's perfect for a hearty milk tea. It's a great balance between strength and smoothness.

Works well for: Classic milk tea, iced milk tea, or with a splash of vanilla syrup.

For reference: Ahmad English Breakfast Tea Bags are on Amazon US for USD$4.95 for a 100-count box,→ ~$0.05 per bag


Pro Tips for Making Milk Tea at Home (on a Budget)

  • Double bag it if your tea isn’t strong enough.

  • Boil your water properly. Warm water = weak tea. Go full boil.

  • Steep longer. 4–6 minutes usually gives the best results.

  • Milk matters. Whole milk = creamy. Oat milk = smooth. Condensed milk = sweet + indulgent.

  • Sweeten smart. Brown sugar syrup, honey, maple syrup, or even stevia

  • Cool it down and shake it if you like that store-bought feel. Add ice, give it a good shake in a jar or shaker bottle, and boom, homemade iced milk tea.



Where to Buy (Anywhere in the World)

  • Online: Amazon, iHerb, Walmart, Target, local grocery delivery, Shopee, Amazon.sg (Asia) 

  • In-store: Big supermarket chains like Tesco, Cold Storage, Aldi, Woolworths, Carrefour, NTUC FairPrice 

  • Dollar stores/discount shops: Seriously underrated , you can often find  Twinings for less.



Final Sips

Making milk tea at home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a box of decent tea bags, some milk, and a little creativity, you can whip up drinks that taste almost as good as the ones from the café , at a fraction of the cost.

Got a favorite tea bag I didn’t mention? Let me know ,  I’m always down to try new blends. And if you’re in the USA, Singapore, or Malaysia, stay tuned… I’ve got local guides coming just for you 


Annabel ☕




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