Thai iced tea is a creamy drink with a distinct flavor that is popular worldwide. It’s the ideal beverage to accompany rich or spicy foods.
Thai iced tea is a must when enjoying a spicy dish like Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup or Thai Chicken Curry. Thai tea is commonly served in Thai restaurants, but we’ll show you how to make it home. When you need a cool pick-me-up, this recipe will come in handy!
What Is Thai Tea?
Thai tea is made with Ceylon black tea that has been steeped for a long time and is spiced with star anise, vanilla bean, crushed tamarind seed, orange blossom, and cardamom. It is popular in Thailand and the United States due to its deep amber hue, creamy mouthfeel, and vibrant flavor notes. It’s frequently on the menu at Thai restaurants, and it may also be available as a flavor option at bubble tea shops or in a can at Asian grocery stores.
Why Is Thai Tea Orange?
Food dye is used to give Thai tea its distinctive orange color. Most mixes contain yellow dye to counteract the natural red color of the tea. Condensed milk then adds an opaque orange glow to the tea. If you’re allergic to food dyes, look for organic Thai tea mixes that don’t contain yellow.
How to Make Thai Iced Tea
Ingredients
Yield: 1 serving
- 4 tablespoons Thai tea mix
- 2-3 teaspoons sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons unsweetened condensed milk, whole milk, half-and-half or coconut milk
- Ice cubes
Directions
Step 1: Bring the water to a boil.
Bring one cup of water to a boil and strain or tea filter over the tea mix.
Step 2: Allow the tea to be steep.
Allow steeping for 5 minutes. Then, allow it to sit for a few minutes longer if you want a stronger flavor.
Step 3: Add sugar and serve.
Stir in the condensed milk and sugar to the tea. Adjust the sweetness or creaminess to taste. Pour over ice, sip, and unwind!
You can make a large batch of Thai iced tea ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator to enjoy whenever you want. After the second step, carefully pour the tea into a large Mason jar or covered pitcher and chill it. Pour the tea over ice and top with sugar and milk when ready to drink.
Tips for Making Thai Tea
How can you make Thai tea dairy-free?
Just as you can drink coffee black, you can drink Thai tea without the added creaminess of condensed milk. If you want to recreate the creaminess of classic Thai tea, use coconut milk for a subtly sweet creaminess. You may want to add a sweetener if you use oat, almond, soy, or other alternative milk.
What is the best type of tea to use?
Pantai Thai tea mix is the most convenient way to make traditional Thai tea at home. It has black tea, cardamom, vanilla bean, tamarind, cinnamon, and cloves in it. If you can’t find this tea mix, make your own with black tea and a few cardamom pods, cloves, a dash of vanilla extract, and a cinnamon stick.
How can you adjust the sweetness of Thai tea?
Thai tea is usually sweetened with condensed milk. The natural sugars in the milk provide sweetness, but if you want to tone it down, use unsweetened condensed milk or less sweet milk, such as half-and-half or whole milk. Then, as you taste, add small amounts of sugar.
Thai Tea Benefits
It’s no surprise that humans have been drinking tea for millennia—tea has numerous health benefits. Thai tea, in particular, is beneficial to both the body and the mind.
- Increased energy and focus: Because black tea contains caffeine, it is ideal for work and study sessions. Thai tea’s caffeine and antioxidants help boost your metabolism, which can help you burn calories faster when you hit the gym. Just remember to drink plenty of water!
- Healthy arteries: Drinking black tea expands your arteries, allowing them to pump blood more efficiently throughout your body. This may reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
- Cancer risk reduction: Some studies have found that drinking tea reduces the risk of many cancers. This is due to the presence of antioxidants in black tea, which protect your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.
- Stress relief: Tea relaxes both the body and the mind. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some hot or iced Thai tea for instant bliss.
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