Cha Yen (Thai Iced Tea)

1. 1

   Boil Water

   Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium-sized pot.

2. 2

   Brew Tea

   Add 3 tablespoons of Thai tea mix to the boiling water. Stir and let it simmer for 5 minutes. This releases the tea's full-bodied flavor and aromatic essence.

3. 3

   Strain

   Remove from heat and strain the tea through a fine mesh sieve or cloth strainer to remove all the tea leaves. The liquid should be a deep, rich amber color.

4. 4

   Sweeten

   While the tea is still warm, add 1/2 cup of sugar (if using additional sugar beyond condensed milk) and stir until completely dissolved. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir well until fully incorporated.

5. 5

   Cool

   Let the tea cool to room temperature, or place in the refrigerator or freezer to speed up cooling. Rapid cooling locks in flavors and prevents dilution when poured over ice.

6. 6

   Serve

   Fill glasses to the top with crushed ice. Pour the sweetened tea mixture over the ice, leaving about 1 inch at the top. Finish by drizzling 1-2 tablespoons of evaporated milk on top for the signature layered look.

7. 7

   Stir and Enjoy

   Stir the tea before drinking to mix the creamy top layer with the tea, creating that perfect sweet and creamy taste.

• •Use loose leaf Thai tea mix rather than instant packets for much better flavor and control over sweetness
• •Don't over-steep the tea (no more than 5 minutes) or it can become bitter
• •Cool the tea completely before pouring over ice to prevent rapid dilution
• •For the traditional cloth strainer method, hold a tea sock over a heatproof glass and slowly pour hot water through the leaves, letting it drip and steep for 2-3 minutes
• •Store leftover brewed tea in a clean glass bottle in the refrigerator for several days
• •The characteristic orange color comes from food coloring in the tea mix - this is authentic to Thai street vendors
• •Adjust the amount of condensed milk and sugar to your personal sweetness preference

• •
  pad-thai
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  pad-krapao
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  moo-ping
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  gai-yang
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  som-tam
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  khao-man-gai
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  poh-pia-tod
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  thot-man-pla
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  kai-jeow
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  khanom-krok

Thai iced tea (cha yen) has become an iconic symbol of Thai cuisine both in Thailand and internationally. While tea itself came to Thailand through Chinese traders, the distinctive Thai iced tea preparation with its bright orange color and sweet, creamy taste developed as a uniquely Thai creation. The beverage gained popularity in the mid-20th century and became a staple of Thai street food culture, particularly in Bangkok. Street vendors would brew large batches and serve it from metal containers, creating the perfect sweet and refreshing accompaniment to spicy Thai food. The most popular brand, Cha Tra Mue (also known as Number One Brand), with its distinctive red and white packaging, has become synonymous with authentic Thai tea. Today, cha yen is enjoyed throughout Thailand and has become one of the country's most recognizable exports, found in Thai restaurants worldwide.

Authentic Thai iced tea has several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from Westernized versions. First, traditional cha yen uses specific Thai tea mix brands like Cha Tra Mue (Number One Brand), which comes in a red and white bag. Importantly, authentic Thai tea is NEVER made with spices like star anise, cardamom, or other aromatics - these are additions found in Western recipes but not used by Thai street vendors or traditional preparations. The characteristic bright orange color comes from food coloring added to the tea mix, which is standard in Thailand and gives the drink its instantly recognizable appearance. The tea should be strong and bold, brewed briefly (5 minutes maximum) to avoid bitterness. Sweetness comes from both sweetened condensed milk mixed into the tea and evaporated milk drizzled on top for a layered effect before stirring. Thai vendors often use a cloth tea strainer (tungkafae) for brewing, slowly pouring hot water through the leaves. The result should be very sweet and creamy - Thai iced tea is meant to be an indulgent treat and counterbalance to spicy Thai dishes, not a lightly sweetened beverage.