Each country has its own particular type of tea that holds significant cultural meaning – and one of them is Thai tea.
Thai tea has become increasingly popular in countries like the US in recent years and so, more and more people want to learn more about Thai tea.
If you have never tried Thai tea before and want to find out what it’s like, then this is the place for you.
Here, we will be talking about Thai tea including what it is, how it tastes, and what is the best way to make and serve Thai tea. So, let’s jump right in!
What Is Thai Tea?
Thai tea is a type of iced black tea that shares a lot of similarities with Ceylon tea (but is much sweeter) and is traditionally served iced.
It’s popular in many Southeastern Asian countries and is traditionally served in restaurants that also serve Thai cuisine and dishes.
You can also find it sold on the streets of Thailand by many vendors – hence the name Thai tea. Despite this, Thai tea is beloved and widely consumed around the world including in countries like the US.
In truth, the type of tea that is more commonly known as Thai tea really should be known as Thai iced tea.
There are other types of tea that are popular in Thailand and are sometimes called Thai tea, although they contain different ingredients.
For example, Thai Oolong tea is sometimes referred to as Thai tea although it is very different from Thai iced tea.
There are numerous other herbal teas from Thailand which are sometimes called Thai tea, but each is distinctly different from Thai iced tea.
In this article, we will be referring to Thai iced tea as Thai tea because this is the tea that is what most people associate with the name ‘Thai tea’.
What Does Thai Tea Taste Like?
Thai tea is made of many different ingredients but all come together to create a tea that has a rich, sweet flavor.
Thai tea is known for its sweetness and many believe this is why Thai tea has become such a popular street food in Southeastern Asian countries, and in the US – because its sweetness makes it a delicious treat to enjoy while you are on the go.
So – what makes Thai tea so sweet?
First, it’s the addition of sweetened condensed milk. Thai tea is a type of black tea which naturally has an earthy and nutty taste, just like Ceylon tea.
However, sweetened condensed milk is added to help lift this profile. It adds a ton of sweetness and creates a creamy layer on top of the tea.
The milk helps soften and lighten the earthy notes of Thai tea, but some recipes may use alternative types of milk such as coconut milk or evaporated milk with sugar.
Speaking of sugar, it is also a key ingredient in traditional Thai tea and helps sweeten the drink even further.
Some recipes for Thai tea also include spices such as star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, and even vanilla. These are added to help either enrich the bitter nutty taste of the Thai tea or sweeten it even further.
The most common spices added to traditional Thai tea are cardamom and star anise, but in the US, vanilla and cinnamon are also very popular additions.
So, overall, Thai tea has a very earthy and nutty taste that is toned down by the sweetness of the added milk and sugar. The milk also gives this drink a very smooth and creamy texture.
It’s also almost always served iced so it’s a very cool and refreshing type of tea, although it is possible to serve Thai tea warm.
How To Make And Serve Thai Tea
If you want to try making your own batch of Thai tea, then here is a very quick and easy recipe for you to follow:
Steep 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves in a pot of boiling water with 1 pod of star anise and 2 pods of cardamom for 5 minutes.
Strain the tea then add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk. Add 2 additional teaspoons of evaporated milk.
When cool, serve over ice and add 1 more additional teaspoon of evaporated milk.
There are additional ingredients you can use in this recipe. Check them out below:
You can add ½ a stick of cinnamon, ⅛ vanilla bean, ¼ a teaspoon of almond extract, and a pinch of tamarind powder in the first step if you desire.
Evaporated milk can be swapped out for either coconut or whole milk.
It’s important to ensure the tea is fully cooled before serving. Otherwise, the ice cubes will melt immediately and water down the tea, ruining its taste.
You can also serve hot Thai tea by following the same recipe but simply remove the ice from the glasses and serve the tea immediately.
There are also variants of Thai tea known as dark Thai tea which is served without any milk at all. This too can be served either hot or cold.
How To Serve Thai Tea
Thai tea is incredibly sweet which makes it a treat on its own.
This is why a lot of vendors on the streets of Thailand (and other Southeastern Asian countries) sell and serve Thai tea – because it’s a great pick-me-up to drink while you are on the go.
As a result, most people drink Thai tea on its own without any accompanying dishes.
However, Thai tea is also sold in a lot of restaurants and eateries in Thailand, so you can also enjoy this drink alongside any traditional Thai dish – but it’s best enjoyed as an after-meal dessert.
Hot Thai tea is usually drunk in Thailand in the morning alongside a small breakfast of pathongko – long strips of deep-fried dough, similar to donuts.
In Thailand, pathongko is best served fresh alongside a cup of coffee, soy milk, or hot Thai tea.
Thai tea can also be served in a range of different types of cups or glasses.
Traditionally, it is drunk from a tall glass with a straw, and this is how Thai tea is usually served in sit-down restaurants and eateries in Southeastern Asia.
However, if you purchase your Thai tea from a street vendor or market stall, then you may be served your Thai tea in a plastic bag or in a tall plastic cup instead.
For serving your own batch of Thai tea at home, it’s best to serve this beverage in a tall type of glass.
This is because Thai tea is served over ice and the ice itself can take up a lot of room in a cup – so the taller the glass, the more tea you can serve!
Final Thoughts
So, that’s everything you need to know about Thai tea. We hope this article has helped you understand more about the origins of Thai tea, what it tastes like, and how you can make your very own batch! Enjoy!
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
