FrieslandCampina Hong Kong created the Black and White full-cream evaporated milk brand to meet local demand for Hong Kong-style milk tea [1].
The product has become a cultural cornerstone of the city's culinary identity. Because it is specifically formulated for the local market, it defines the taste of a beverage served in thousands of traditional diners across the territory.
The brand was established in the 1940s [1]. For more than 80 years, the Dutch-owned company has produced the evaporated milk exclusively for Hong Kong [1, 2]. This longevity has allowed the product to integrate deeply into the daily routines of residents and business owners alike.
The milk is most prominent in cha chaan tengs, the local cafes that blend Western and Chinese influences. Approximately 80% of these establishments use Black and White milk to prepare their signature tea [1, 2]. The high fat content of the full-cream evaporated milk provides the creamy texture and richness required for the beverage, a characteristic that separates it from standard milk.
FrieslandCampina, based in the Netherlands, tailored the product to withstand the brewing process of strong tea [1]. This strategic localization ensured the brand remained the preferred choice for chefs and tea masters for decades [1].
While the dairy industry faces global shifts in sourcing and production, the brand maintains its dominant position in the Hong Kong market [2]. The product remains a primary example of how a foreign company can create a localized product that eventually becomes a symbol of regional heritage [1].
“The brand was established in the 1940s”
The dominance of a Dutch-developed product in Hong Kong's tea culture illustrates the lasting impact of mid-century industrial localization. By creating a product specifically for the unique requirements of cha chaan tengs, FrieslandCampina transitioned from a foreign supplier to an essential component of local cultural heritage.
