How to Make Thai Tea? (4 Delicious Recipes)

The traditional Thai Tea (cha yen in Thai) is super refreshing and a blend of black tea leaves, often Assam, infused with a distinctive flavor – vanilla or a mix of spices like cinnamon and star anise.

It’s a creamy, sweet delight with the addition of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. This combination not only adds richness but also balances the strong tea flavor. In Thailand, this drink is a staple, but its charm has crossed oceans, making it a favorite in Thai restaurants worldwide.

When Thai chefs began making it in Western countries, they changed their recipe a bit by adding more sugar and bright orange color to make it look like the coffee drinks that we usually love in the West.

9 Easy Steps for the Perfect Traditional Thai Tea

To make Thai iced tea, follow these simple, easy instructions:

1. Grab your small saucepot and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Add your Thai tea leaves or mix in hot water, but don’t rush this step. Give it a good 3-5 minutes.
3. Once steeped, strain your tea through a fine mesh strainer. In case, if you notice a lot of tea dust, don’t worry. Just run it through a strainer or even a paper coffee filter. We’re going for smooth, not gritty!
4. You can add sugar and salt to enhance the flavor and taste.
5. After that, let your tea cool to room temperature. Patience is key!
6. Now, for the authentic Thai twist. Mix in some sweetened condensed milk with your tea base.
7. Pour your tea over a glass filled with ice.
8. Finally, top it off with a splash of evaporated milk, adding a rich, milky texture and a creamy finish to your Thai Tea.
9. And there you have it – your very own glass of Thai Tea, made by you, sipped by you.

Tip: Looking for the perfect Thai tea mix? We’ve got you covered with some top picks and personal favorites. Check out these options:

• Thai Iced Tea Mix, Traditional Restaurant Style
• Cha Thai Tea Mix
• Cha Tra Mue Brand

Click the links above to grab your favorite!

From Thailand to Your Cup: Roots of Thai Tea

Thai tea, with its unique taste and vibrant color, has a fascinating journey from the lush fields of Thailand to your cup. It all started back in the 1980s when Thailand began importing tea from China as a cash crop. This marked the beginning of a new era for making Thai iced tea.

Did you know that the Thai iced tea recipe, as we love it today, was possibly the brainchild of a Thai leader (Field Marshal Pibul Songkram) who had a keen interest in Western culture? That’s right!

It actually started off pretty simple, thanks to one inventive leader. Back in the day, it was way less fancy than what we see now – none of that variety of flavors and extra Thai tea mixes.

But guess what? People loved it. It wasn’t just a hit in Thailand but also in the neighboring places. And then, bam, it’s all over the world. Now, you can pretty much find Thai iced tea everywhere in the United States, like in most Thai restaurants and those boba tea cafes.

What Are the Ingredients of Thai Iced Tea?

You’ll find the traditional Thai iced tea packed with these velvety and simple ingredients, such as:

✅Thai Tea Leaves: The soul of the Thai tea recipe is, of course, the Thai tea leaves. In Thailand, authentic Thai tea mixes like ChaTraMue are the go-to brand, renowned for their quality. While it’s the preferred choice, you can also go for other brands, like Pantai Thai tea mix and Thai iced tea mix.

✅Sweetened Condensed Milk: To define the creamy sweetness in your Thai iced tea, opt for a brand that keeps it simple – just milk and sugar. Longevity brand is a solid pick. Watch out for those sneaky non-dairy imitations because they just don’t do the trick.

✅Sugar: Sugar is, of course, part of the mix. But remember, you’re the boss here. Adjust it to suit your taste, and if sugar isn’t your thing, feel free to substitute it with your favorite artificial sweetener like stevia, etc.

✅Salt: A pinch of salt. Yep, you heard that right. A touch of salt can really elevate the sweetness, preventing it from becoming too overwhelming. It’s a small addition that makes a world of difference.

✅Evaporated Milk: To add that silky smooth texture without overloading on sweetness, evaporated milk is the key. Remember, full-fat is the way to go for the richest flavor.

✅A Lot of Crushed Ice Cubes: And let’s not forget the ice. A Thai iced tea isn’t complete without a generous amount of ice. Pack your cup to the brim before pouring in the tea.

Why Is Thai Iced Tea Orange?

The famous orange color in Thai tea usually comes from added yellow and orange food coloring. Most Thai tea mixes have it. The tea itself is actually a deep red, but when you mix in sweetened condensed milk, it turns orange. So, if you’re trying to steer clear of those artificial colors, keep in mind that many Thai tea mixes might not be your thing.

How to Make Thai Tea Without Thai Tea Leaves?

When making Thai tea, if you can’t find the right leaves, then no worries, we’ve got a cool hack to make a tea that tastes almost just like the real deal! Here’s how you can whip it up:

For 1 Glass of Thai Iced Tea Recipe

• Grab 3 bags of orange pekoe tea or any black tea you like. Steep them in 1 cup (240 ml) of hot boil water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
• Once that’s done, discard the tea bags. Stir in ½ teaspoon of artificial vanilla extract and add some drops of food color (orange) to give it a classic Thai tea look.
• Mix 1 ½ tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar, but adjust the sugar to your preferred level of sweetness.
• Grab a pint glass and pack it full of ice. Pour your tea over the ice.
• To top it off, drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of evaporated milk right on top.
• And it’s ready– a Thai tea without tea mix that’s super easy and tasty!

Why Is Thai Iced Tea Bitter?

Thai iced tea can be bitter for some people because we all have our unique taste buds, and what works for one might not work for another. Here are some simple tips to dial down the bitterness and keep your favorite drink just the way you like it.

• ✔ You might have left those tea mix leaves swimming in hot water too long. Aim for a steep time of around 30 minutes, but don’t go over an hour.
• ✔ If you’ve already made your tea mix, and it’s still bitter. Just add a bit more water. Keep pouring until you hit that perfect balance of flavor.
• ✔ In case you’re planning to brew the tea mix, cut down on the tea leave and use about 30% less than what you’d normally go for. It makes a difference.
• ✔ Add some extra half-and-half or cream. It’ll smooth out that sharp, bitter taste and make your tea oh-so-creamy. Sure, it’s a bit richer, but still totally delicious.

How Can You Store Thai Iced Tea?

You can follow these super easy ways to store your Thai iced tea:

• Brew your Thai tea and strain out the leaves.
• Let it cool down to room temperature.
• Pour the tea into a pitcher or a sealed container.
• Put it into the fridge – it’ll stay good for up to a week.
• Mix in sweetened condensed milk right before serving.

Useful Equipment to Make Thai Iced Tea

You can use anything to brew and strain your Thai iced tea. But if you want to keep it traditional use:

• Tea kettle and strainer.
• For that real authentic touch, try making it out with a Thai-style tea filter.

FAQs About Thai Tea

What’s Thai Iced Coffee?

Thai iced coffee is a local version of Starbucks, and it’s everywhere in a Thai restaurant! It’s a refreshing coffee beverage that combines a strong coffee kick with the creamy goodness of sweetened condensed milk. In many traditional recipes, spices like cardamom are added. It brings this warm, spicy twist that’s just so unique.

But if spices aren’t your thing, no worries. Swap them out for a dash of vanilla extract, and you’ve got yourself a sweet, flavor-packed treat. Seriously, once you try it, there’s no going back!

What Does Thai Iced Tea Taste Like?

At first taste, you’re greeted with a strong tea flavor that’s surprisingly smooth, never tipping into bitterness. It’s full of flavor notes, with honey and vanilla.

The creamy consistency of the tea takes this experience to a whole new level, reminding you of a milkshake but with an exotic twist. The sweetness? It’s there, bold and unapologetic, yet perfectly balanced, not to overwhelm, and incredibly refreshing.

Does Thai Tea Have Caffeine?

Yes. Thai tea typically contains a moderate level of caffeine. A standard serving of Thai tea brewed with black tea has 47 mg of caffeine. However, if you prefer less caffeine, you can opt for decaf Thai tea or other tea varieties to adjust the caffeine levels to your liking.

Who Made Thai Tea?

The exact origins of Thai tea remain a bit of a mystery with its signature blend of black tea, condensed milk, and often a touch of ice.

But, it’s widely believed that the inspiration behind this creamy, sweet brew may be traced back to Field Marshal Pibul Songkram, known for his fascination with Western culture. It’s likely that Songkram’s influence led to adding milk and ice to tea, something you don’t usually see in Asian tea traditions.

Will Thai Tea Keep You Awake?

Yes, Thai tea (Cha Yen) can keep you awake and lively because of the caffeine in the black tea leaves. The caffeine not only makes the tea taste awesome, but it also gives you that quick jolt of energy you sometimes need.

So, when you’re feeling a bit sluggish and need a little extra kick to stay sharp, a cup of Thai tea can be just the ticket. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for those draggy moments.

Conclusion

Thai tea is not just a common beverage; it’s a cultural experience of a local Thai restaurant. It’s a unique blend of flavors with creamy and refreshing delight. You’ve got this-mix up that strong tea leaves with the sweetened condensed milk and add that creamy touch with evaporated milk. Whether you’re going for the classic recipe or shaking it up with some vegan alternatives, it’s all about creating a drink that’s uniquely yours. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy every refreshing sip of your homemade Thai iced tea. It’s easier than you think and tastes fantastic!