Thai tea (also known as
Thai iced tea) or "cha-yen" () in
Thailand, is a drink made from strongly-brewed
black tea. 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 in Thailand it is more typically poured over the crushed
ice in a clear (or translucent) plastic bag. 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-ma-now) Similar to Dark Thai iced tea, but flavored with lime as well as......
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