Yuenyeung (Chinese: 鴛鴦, often transliterated according to the Cantonese language pronunciation yuenyeung,[3] yinyeung, or yinyong;[4] yuānyāng in Mandarin) is a drink created by mixing coffee with tea. It originated in Hong Kong, where it remains popular.

Yuenyeung
Iced yuenyeung at a cha chaan teng in Hong Kong (2007)
CourseDrink
Place of originHong Kong[1][2]
Serving temperatureHot or iced
Main ingredientsBrewed coffee, Hong Kong-style milk tea (black tea, evaporated or condensed milk), sugar
Yuenyeung
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese鸳鸯
Hanyu PinyinYuānyāng
Cantonese YaleYūnyēung
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYuānyāng
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationYūnyēung
Jyutpingjyun1 joeng1
Sidney LauYuenyeung
Canton RomanizationYun1yêng1
IPA[ýːn jœ́ːŋ]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJoan-iuⁿ

The exact method of creating yuenyeung varies by vendor and region, but it generally consists of brewed coffee and black tea with sugar and milk. According to the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the mixture is three parts coffee and seven parts Hong Kong–style milk tea. It can be served hot or cold.[5]

It was originally served at dai pai dongs (open air food vendors) and cha chaan tengs (cafés), but is now available in various types of restaurants.[6][7]

Etymology

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The name yuenyeung refers to mandarin ducks (yuanyang), which is a symbol of conjugal love in Chinese culture, as the birds usually appear in pairs and the male and female look very different.[8] This same connotation of a "pair" of two unlike items is used to name this drink.[5]

Origin

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A Hong Kong dai pai dong–style restaurant called Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園) claims that both yuenyeung and silk-stocking milk tea were invented in 1952 by its owner, Lin Muhe.[9] Though its claim for yuenyeung is unverified, its claim for silk-stocking milk tea was on the record in the official minutes of a Legislative Council meeting plausibility.[citation needed][clarification needed]

Adoption

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In summer 2010, Starbucks stores in Hong Kong and Macau promoted a frappuccino version of the drink.[10] It was sold as the "Yuen Yeung Frappuccino Blended Cream".[11]

The drink is also common in Malaysia, where it is known as kopi cham, from Malay kopi ("coffee") and Hokkien chham (攙, "mixed").[12]

Children's yuenyeung

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There is a caffeine-free variant of yuenyeung, called children's yuenyeung (兒童鴛鴦). It is made using Horlicks and Ovaltine, malted milk drink mixes that are common in Hong Kong cha chaan tengs (cafés).[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yuenyeung Coffee with Tea". The University of Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  2. ^ Tam, Arthur (12 August 2019). "Coffee or tea? Order a yuen yeung – the off-menu, half-half hybrid served at cafes across Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  3. ^ Richard R. Wertz: Cultural Heritage of China - Food & Drink - Tea - Tea Cultures Archived 2009-02-03 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Sparklette Food & Travel Blog: Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant - Toast of Hong Kong Archived 2009-11-30 at the Wayback Machine. April 17, 2007
  5. ^ a b ""Yuanyang" exhibition showcases the contemporary ceramic art" (Press release). HKSAR Leisure and Cultural Services Department. 11 February 2003. Archived from the original on 24 February 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2007.
  6. ^ "What is Yuen Yeung, Coffee & Milk Tea?". Coffeelnformer. 2 August 2020. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Cha Chaan Teng: Our Hong Kong–Style Tea Restaurant". City University of Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  8. ^ "教育部國語辭典:鴛鴦". Ministry of Education, Taiwan. Archived from the original on 1 May 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2007.
  9. ^ "Brand Story". Lan Fong Yuen. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  10. ^ Michael Taylor (8 October 2010). "Starbucks Takes on Hong Kong Tastes (Part 2)". accidentaltravelwriter.net. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  11. ^ Starbucks Hong Kong (16 September 2010). "Escape This Summer With a Taste of Home" (flash). coffeeconcepts.com.hk. Archived from the original (flash) on 17 September 2010.
  12. ^ "單咖啡就分好多種!馬來西亞傳統Kopitiam飲料名稱大破解". Yahoo News. 30 January 2023.
  13. ^ Lew, Josh. "Coffee or tea? With this drink, you get both". mnn.com. Narrative Content Group. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
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