How to Make Delicious Thai Iced Tea

Introduction:

Thai Iced Tea, also known as Cha Yen, is a popular and refreshing drink originating from Thailand. It’s characterized by its vibrant orange color and unique blend of flavors, combining strong brewed tea with sweetened condensed milk. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make authentic Thai Iced Tea at home that’s sure to delight your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 4 Thai tea bags (or black tea bags)
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk (or half-and-half)
• Ice cubes
• Optional: sugar or honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Brew the Tea:
   • In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and add the Thai tea bags. Let the tea steep for about 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your tea. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor will be.
2. Sweeten the Tea:
   • After steeping, remove the tea bags from the saucepan. While the tea is still hot, stir in the sweetened condensed milk until it’s fully dissolved. This will give the tea its signature creamy sweetness.
3. Chill the Tea:
   • Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling the tea will ensure that it’s cold and refreshing when served over ice.
4. Serve the Thai Iced Tea:
   • Once the tea is chilled, fill tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour the chilled tea over the ice, leaving some room at the top of each glass.
5. Add the Evaporated Milk:
   • Finish the Thai Iced Tea by drizzling a splash of evaporated milk (or half-and-half) over the top of each glass. This will give the tea its final creamy texture and add a touch of richness to the flavor.
6. Optional Sweetener:
   • Taste the Thai Iced Tea and adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding sugar or honey if desired. Stir well to ensure that the sweetener is evenly distributed throughout the drink.
7. Enjoy:
   • Give the Thai Iced Tea a gentle stir with a straw or spoon, then sip and enjoy its delightful blend of flavors. Serve it as a refreshing beverage on a hot day or as a sweet treat any time you crave a taste of Thailand.

Tips:

• If you can’t find Thai tea bags, you can use black tea bags as a substitute. However, Thai tea has a unique flavor profile with hints of vanilla and spices, so using authentic Thai tea will yield the best results.
• For a dairy-free version of Thai Iced Tea, you can use coconut milk or almond milk instead of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk.
• Customize the sweetness of the tea to your preference by adjusting the amount of sweetened condensed milk or adding additional sugar or honey.
• Garnish the Thai Iced Tea with a sprig of fresh mint or a slice of lime for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

Now you know how to make delicious Thai Iced Tea at home! Experiment with the ingredients and proportions to create your perfect cup of this refreshing beverage. Enjoy!