Do you want to know the secret of making authentic Thai milk tea at home? Want to know the ingredients and benefits of it?
Here’s a fun fact: Strong black tea, sweetened condensed milk, and spices come together in the Thai beverage known as Thai milk tea (or Cha Yen). Its distinctive orange color and harmonious blend of ingredients make it a welcome refreshment.
Read on if you’re eager to discover the secret to making this delicious beverage.
What is Thai Milk Tea?
Thai milk tea, also called Cha Yen, is a famous drink from Thailand. It is a special mix of strong black tea, sweetened condensed milk, and different spices.
The bright orange color of Thai milk tea stands out because it is made with a particular type of tea and food coloring. The tea is strongly brewed, and then the condensed milk is added. This makes the taste creamy and sweet.
Thai milk tea is often served over ice, which makes it a relaxing choice in the hot weather of Thailand. It has become famous worldwide because of its unique taste and eye-catching look.
What Does Thai Milk Tea Taste Like?
Thai milk tea has a taste that is both unique and delicious. It has a strong black tea taste and a sweet, creamy taste from the condensed milk.
The rich sweetness balances the strong and slightly bitter taste of Thai tea. When spices like cardamom and star anise are added, they slightly complicate the overall taste. The result is a drink that is both refreshing and filling. It is creamy and smells good, so tea fans love it.
Thai Milk Tea Ingredients
This Thai milk tea recipe should take about 10 minutes to cook and 5 minutes to prepare. The number of servings can vary depending on your preference.
Here is what you need to make Thai milk tea:
- Black Tea Leaves or Tea Bags: The main ingredient in Thai milk tea. Hot water is poured over black tea leaves or tea bags to bring out their strong taste and aroma.
- Water: Used to steep the tea leaves or bags and make the tea base for the latte. Water is the drink’s base and helps bring out the taste of the tea leaves.
- Milk: Makes Thai milk tea more creamy and rich. You can use cow’s milk, almond milk, oat milk, or any other kind of milk you like. The tea tastes better and has a smoother texture when milk is added.
- Sweetener (e.g., honey, sugar): Optional, but it is often used to make the latte sweeter. Honey is a natural sweetener. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and improves taste.
- Spices (e.g., Cardamom, Star Anise): This is optional. Spices can be added to the Thai milk tea to give it more taste. Cardamom and Star Anise add a bit of spice and a pleasant smell.
- Ice Cubes (optional): Adding ice cubes to your Thai milk tea is a great way to cool it down and enjoy it. It makes the drink taste even better.
These ingredients make a delicious Thai milk tea with a unique blend of flavors when put together in the right amounts.
How To Make a Thai Milk Tea
Get ready to embark on a flavorful adventure as we walk through the steps of preparing Thai milk tea. Jump in and learn everything you need about this popular Thai tea drink!
- Boil water: First, boil some water in a pan or pot. We’ll need about 1 cup of water.
- Steep the tea: To steep the tea, turn off the heat once the water is boiling and add 2 tea bags or 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves. To get the most flavor out of the tea, let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Strain the tea: After the tea has steeped, take out the tea bags or strain the tea leaves to get a smooth drink with no solids.
- Add sweetened condensed milk: Add 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and stir. Depending on how sweet you want it, change the amount.
- Mix well: Mix the tea and condensed milk until well blended. This step makes sure that the flavors are evenly spread out.
- Add spices (optional): Add a pinch of cardamom or a small piece of star anise to improve the flavor. This step is not necessary, but it makes the dish look nice.
- Serve: You can serve Thai milk tea hot or cold. Pour the tea over ice cubes in a glass to make a cold drink. Just pour it hot into a cup and serve.
- Garnish (optional): Thai milk tea can be topped with cinnamon or sweetened condensed milk, but this is not required.
With these easy steps, you’ll be ready to enjoy a wonderful cup of Thai milk tea!
Tips for Making Thai Milk Tea
Here are some tips that will help you make Thai milk tea:
- Choose high-quality Thai tea bags: The taste of Thai milk tea is directly affected by the quality of the tea. Choose Thai tea bags or loose tea leaves of good quality if you want a rich and real taste.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference: Thai milk tea can be made with any sweetness you want. To sweeten the drink, add more sugar syrup or reduce it. Change the amount of sweetness to fit your taste.
- Brew the tea for the right duration: Pay attention to how long you let the tea steep. If you steep the tea too long, it may taste bitter. If you soak it too little, it may taste weak. Follow the suggested time for brewing for the best taste.
- Experiment with spices: You don’t have to, but adding a pinch of spices like cardamom or star anise can make your Thai milk tea taste better. Feel free to try different spices to find the right mix of tastes.
- Serve with ice for a refreshing twist: Thai milk tea is often enjoyed over ice, especially in warm weather. Adding ice cubes to your drink chills it and enhances its refreshing qualities.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can improve at making Thai milk tea and enjoy a tasty cup of this wonderful drink.
Thai Milk Tea Nutritional Fact
These nutritional estimations are based on Thai milk tea serving sizes. Actual values may differ based on the ingredients and how they are made.
Here are the estimated nutritional facts for Thai milk tea per serving:
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated Fat: 1 gram
- Cholesterol: 8 milligrams
- Sodium: 49 milligrams
- Potassium: 142 milligrams
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Vitamin A: 128 international units (IU)
- Calcium: 96 milligrams
Please note that these values can alter depending on ingredients, sweetened milk, and other adjustments to the recipe. Checking the nutrition labels of the products you purchase is a great method to learn more about their healthfulness.
Thai Milk Tea Benefits
Thai milk tea has a great taste but has some possible health benefits that make it a drink worth considering. Let’s look more closely at five of these perks.
Digestive Aid
Thai milk tea often contains spices such as Star Anise, Cardamom, and Cinnamon, which can aid digestion. Thai cuisine traditionally uses these spices to support healthy digestion and alleviate digestive discomfort.
Hydration
While Thai milk tea contains tea and milk, it can still contribute to your daily fluid intake and help keep you hydrated. Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and well-being.
Mood Booster
Thai milk tea’s combination of caffeine and condensed milk can provide a pleasant and uplifting experience. The indulgent taste and aroma of the tea, coupled with the energizing effect of caffeine, can help improve mood and promote a sense of well-being.
Antimicrobial Properties
Some ingredients commonly used in Thai milk tea, such as cloves and ginger, possess antimicrobial properties. These properties can help combat harmful bacteria in the body, supporting a healthy immune system.
Relaxation and Stress Relief
With its comforting flavor and warm temperature, Thai milk tea can provide a soothing effect. Enjoying a cup of Thai milk tea can be a form of self-care and help reduce stress and anxiety.
FAQs
Is Thai Milk Tea the Same as Regular Milk Tea?
No, Thai milk tea has its special taste and is made with black tea and condensed milk, among other things.
Does Thai Milk Tea Contain Caffeine?
Yes, because black tea is used to make Thai milk tea, it does have caffeine.
Can I Make Thai Milk Tea Without Condensed Milk?
Yes, you can customize your Thai milk tea by using milk other than condensed milk, like almond milk or coconut milk.
Is Thai Milk Tea Gluten-Free?
Thai milk tea is usually gluten-free but check the tea and sweetener components.
Can I Drink Thai Milk Tea if I’m Lactose Intolerant?
Lactose-intolerant people can make Thai milk tea with lactose-free milk or non-dairy milk.
How Long Does Thai Milk Tea Stay Fresh?
Thai milk tea tastes best and is freshest when drunk right after it is made.
