I’m not exaggerating when I say that my first taste of Thai tea (which, at this point, was over 20 years ago) was when I first knew I’d eventually have to explore Thailand. Any country that could produce a liquid so divine was worth an entire day trapped in airplanes, for that simple fact alone.
When I finally made it to Thailand in 2010, however, I found myself surprised. It certainly wasn’t impossible to find cha yen (ชาเย็น), as it’s called in Thai, but it also wasn’t as ubiquitous as I expected.
My intention is for this post to be a Thai iced tea catch-all, with both strategies about where (and how) to find the best orange gold in Thailand, and also how to make it at home as authentically as possible.
Why Thai Iced Tea Tastes Better in Thailand
If you’ve never seen Thai tea made on the streets of Bangkok, I encourage you to pay close attention the first time you order it. Notice first how strong and concentrated the tea is. It’s unmistakably orange, but it almost looks black unless they’re light shining directly into it. Part of this is because it’s brewed using an apparatus I can only describe as looking like a sock.
Indeed, once the person mixing the drink dilutes it with a heaping tablespoon of condensed milk (which is usually done in a short, clear glass) and especially, once she adds sugar to that, the liquid takes on its trademark color. While these steps form the foundation of the flavor, for me it’s until it’s poured over ice and topped with a generous layover of evaporated milk that its delicious fate is sealed.
The Best Ways to Enjoy Thai Iced Tea in Thailand
Visit a chain like ChaTraMue
If you want an authentic cha yen but don’t want to risk food poisoning, stalls operated by ChaTraMue (which, incidentally, is the most popular Thai tea brand sold in supermarkets) are your best bet. Whether you choose the classic Thai tea or one of its many other drinks, you’ll walk away very satisfied.
Go to a street stall early in the morning
Which is not to say that ordering a Thai milk tea on the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai or any other Thai city will lead to GI symptoms—it almost never has in my case. However, you should know that Thai tea isn’t sold on the streets all day, and is typically a morning concoction. Go early to avoid lines, and maybe even to have a chat.
Order it in a restaurant
Well, an air-conditioned restaurant. Thai iced tea isn’t common in local-style Thai eateries, but any Thai eatery in a shopping mall or otherwise geared to foreigners/rich people is sure to have cha yen on the menu. These tend to be more expensive than those on the street, and sometimes aren’t as tasty I’m afraid.
Buy the supplies yourself
In a couple of paragraphs, I’ll be outlining how you can make Thai iced tea in the comfort of your own home. For now, however, there’s another possibility to consider—namely, buying the ingredients at a Thai convenience store and supermarket, and making them in your hotel or Airbnb kitchen or kitchenette (assuming you have one).
Don’t accept pre-mixed Thai tea
You might be surprised to learn that I don’t recommend buying Thai tea at 7-Eleven. This is primarily because the ones sold are most stores are pre-mixed, and dispensed from a drink fountain. Worse, some street stalls pre-mix their tea, and simply pour it into a cup. If you notice this, it’s a red flag; run. It’s not worth the calories—trust me!
How to Make Thai Iced Tea at Home
Making Thai iced tea at home is easy, even if you don’t have the “sock” apparatus I mentioned earlier. Here are the steps:
- Use a good Thai tea mix, with ChaTraMue being the most reliable one. Brew your tea strong, much stronger than you would if you were drinking it straight.
- Be generous with the condensed milk; start with a tablespoon per glass of tea, but add more if you’d like. Don’t be shy with sugar either—this is not a low-calorie beverage.
- Fill your glass completely with ice before you pour the hot liquid over it; oddly, this seems to ensure that less of it melts. You want the tea to taste strong, as this strength is what will cut through the evaporated milk floater (don’t forget that!) and create the perfect flavor profile.
While I can’t guarantee that your first try will yield orange Thai tea on the level of what you find in Thailand, I can promise that you’ll get better every time you do it.
Other FAQ About Thai Iced Tea
How much does Thai iced tea cost in Thailand?
Thai iced tea generally costs around 25-35 Baht per glass on the street, though it can be double or even triple that in a stall or restaurant at the mall. No matter what, however, you can guarantee it isn’t nearly as expensive as it is in the US or Europe.
What is Thai iced tea made of?
The base of Thai iced tea is a strong black tea, which is orange primarily because of food dye. It’s mixed first with condensed milk and then with sugar, and then poured over ice before being topped with evaporated milk. In other words, it’s made of heaven!
What makes Thai iced tea so orange?
While some people have said that Thai tea is orange because of herbs or other natural reasons, the reality is less enchanting. Thai tea contains orange food coloring, which gives it its distinctive color. On the plus side, you aren’t likely to have one every day, so it probably won’t impact your health in any way.
The Bottom Line
Do you love Thai iced tea as much as I do? It’s doubtful, but you’re certainly as informed as I am about the ins and outs of the drink. First and foremost, you know where to find its various iterations in Thailand, whether in Bangkok or farther afield. You also know how to make a mean glass of ชาเย็น at home, with as little deviation as possible from what you’d get in the Land of Smiles. Speaking of which, I might go prepare a glass now. Want more personalized insider knowledge in advance of your next trip to Thailand? Consider hiring me to plan your itinerary for you!
