In front of the bustling and lively Hsinchu Chenghuang Temple, the Da-Ming tea shop stands out as distinctly different from the surrounding tourist snack stalls. I can say that I am a fan of Da-Ming; since there are only two places to enjoy it in Taipei, it has become quite common for me. Time flies!

The item I tasted this time was the "Roasted Sugar Buckwheat Jelly Milk Tea." From the very first sip, I was amazed, and even after finishing, I was left wanting more. The base of this drink uses Yulu (玉露) milk tea, which has a rich tea flavor and a full-bodied milk taste. The melding of milk and tea aromas is very harmonious—rich yet not heavy, smooth while retaining the essence of tea. Da-Ming’s milk tea is not cloyingly sweet; it presents layers akin to the finishing notes of matcha—not overpowering, yet very present.

What truly makes this drink stand out is the roasted sugar buckwheat tea jelly. This is not the usual store-bought jelly or grass jelly found in common dessert shops; rather, it is specially made from carefully selected local Taiwanese buckwheat, treated with roasted caramel. Its texture is between that of grass jelly and silken tofu, soft and smooth with a slight chewiness, allowing you to savor the delicate scent of buckwheat in every bite. The most surprising thing is that this buckwheat jelly actually carries a subtle coffee-like aftertaste and roasted grain aroma, which, when paired with the milk tea, dramatically elevates the overall complexity!

Although this drink has a sweet aroma, it is not overly sweet; it has a mature, refined sweetness that results from careful selection of ingredients, controlled tea temperature, and thoughtful ingredient design. You can tell that this is a brand that is truly dedicated to "tea."

In summary, the "Roasted Sugar Buckwheat Jelly Milk Tea" features the elegant richness of Yulu milk tea and the roasted grain aroma and coffee-like aftertaste of the buckwheat jelly, creating a rich and layered tasting experience. If you have a discerning palate for tea or are looking for a drink that allows you to truly slow down and savor, then Da-Ming's buckwheat jelly milk tea is definitely worth trying for yourself!

The orange sign is very eye-catching no matter where it is.
There's no need to queue around 4 PM on a weekday.
It takes about 5 minutes from ordering to getting the drink.

Yu Lu Green Tea, unsweetened, lightly iced, $40.
It tastes more like Four Seasons Spring compared to charcoal-roasted green tea,
and the flavor is milder.
Drinking it unsweetened doesn’t make it astringent.

Roasted Sugar Buckwheat Jelly Milk Green Tea, lightly sweetened, no ice, $69.
Without ice, there will be small crushed ice,
but you can also make it completely without ice.
However, summer is approaching, and it’s getting hotter,
so a bit of ice is still needed.
Actually, I'm never quite sure if there's roasted sugar (caramel) in it,
because sometimes I can clearly taste it,
but other times it seems like it's not there (it might have melted into the drink, XD).
But it doesn’t affect how delicious it is ❤️.
The milk green tea is not too heavy,
and the buckwheat jelly is perfectly chewy.