Thai tea

Thai iced tea in a typical tall glass

Thai tea, also known as Thai iced tea (Thai: ชาเย็น, rtgs: cha yen,  [t͡ɕʰāː jēn], lit. "cold tea"), is a Thai drink made from strongly brewed Ceylon tea. However, due to Ceylon tea's high price, a locally grown landrace (traditional or semi-wild) version of Assam known as Bai Miang (ใบเมี่ยง) with added food coloring is commonly used. Other ingredients may include added orange blossom water, star anise, crushed tamarind seed or red and yellow food coloring, and sometimes other spices as well. This tea is sweetened with sugar and condensed milk and served chilled. Evaporated milk, coconut milk or whole milk is generally poured over the tea and ice before serving to add taste and creamy appearance. However, in Thailand, condensed milk and sugar are mixed with the tea before it is poured over ice and then topped with evaporated milk. In Thai restaurants worldwide, it is served in a tall glass, though when sold from street and market stalls in Thailand it is more typically poured over the crushed ice in a clear (or translucent) plastic bag or tall plastic cups. At markets, it can be seen to be mixed through pouring the tea at heights of about 4 feet back and forth. It can also be made into a frappé at more Westernised vendors.

It is popular in Southeast Asia and in many American restaurants that serve Thai food. Although Thai tea is not the same as bubble tea, a Southeast and East Asian beverage that contains large tapioca pearls, Thai tea with tapioca pearls is a popular flavor of bubble tea.

Variations

Cold

• Dark Thai iced tea (Thai: ชาดำเย็น, cha dam yen) Thai tea served chilled with no milk content, sweetened with sugar only. The concept is based on traditional Indian tea which is used as main ingredient.
• Lime Thai tea (Thai: ชามะนาว, cha manau) Similar to Dark Thai iced tea, but flavored with lime as well as sweetened with sugar. Mint may also be added.

Hot

Usually, Thai people drink Thai hot tea in the morning, frequently with Yiu Ja Guoy (Chinese:油炸粿) or pathongko (Thai: ปาท่องโก๋) as it is called by most Thais.

• Thai hot tea (Thai: ชาร้อน, cha rorn) Thai tea served hot.
• Dark Thai hot tea (Thai: ชาดำร้อน, cha dam rorn) Thai tea served hot with no milk content, sweetened with sugar only.

Recipes

• Thai Tea both cold and hot versions, with pictures.
• Thai Tea: Recipes with several versions, including how to mix the powder from scratch.