**Cha Yen: A Refreshing Taste of Thailand**
Cha Yen, also known as Thai iced tea, is a popular and refreshing drink in Thailand and many parts of Southeast Asia. It is made with a blend of black tea, spices, and condensed milk, resulting in a sweet, creamy, and aromatic beverage. This article presents three variations of Cha Yen recipes: the Classic Cha Yen, a Vegan Cha Yen for those with dietary restrictions, and a Cha Yen Float for a delightful layered treat. Each recipe includes detailed instructions, ingredient lists, and tips for making the perfect Cha Yen at home. Whether you are a tea enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and flavorful drink, these Cha Yen recipes will transport you to the vibrant streets of Thailand.
**Classic Cha Yen**
This recipe captures the authentic taste of traditional Cha Yen. It combines the richness of black tea with aromatic spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom. Sweetened with condensed milk and evaporated milk, it delivers a creamy and irresistibly smooth texture.
**Vegan Cha Yen**
For those with vegan preferences or lactose intolerance, this recipe offers a delightful alternative to the Classic Cha Yen. It uses plant-based milk and coconut cream to create a creamy and flavorful drink that is just as satisfying as the original.
**Cha Yen Float**
This recipe takes the Cha Yen experience to a whole new level. It combines the classic Cha Yen with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a layered and visually appealing drink. The creamy sweetness of the ice cream complements the rich flavors of the Cha Yen, making it an indulgent and refreshing treat.
CHA YEN (THAI ICED TEA)
This homemade Thai iced tea gets its complex flavor from black tea, rooibos tea, star anise and cloves, and its sweetness from condensed milk. Adapted from the cookbook "Bangkok" by Leela Punyaratabandhu, this version is hardly typical: Most Thai iced tea sold on the streets of Bangkok - or in Thai restaurants stateside - contains an immoderate amount of sweetened condensed milk and uses a store-bought mix, which contains food coloring. The tea blend used here is intense on its own, but mellowed by ice and milk. Chill the tea fully before pouring it over ice so its flavors don't get diluted.
Provided by Alexa Weibel
Categories non-alcoholic drinks
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Add 4 cups water to a medium saucepan. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add rooibos tea, black tea, sugar, star anise and cloves; cover and let steep, 10 minutes. Strain tea, pressing on tea leaves and spices to extract as much liquid as possible, then discarding solids. Refrigerate tea until chilled, at least 1 hour.
- In a measuring glass, stir together the half-and-half, condensed milk and vanilla extract.
- Fill a pint glass with ice. Add 3/4 cup tea mixture and top with about 2½ tablespoons condensed milk mixture. Serve immediately.
CHA YEN
In America's Thai restaurants, this cool, sweet treat converts many a timid first-timer to a Thai food fanatic on the spot. Cha Yen or "cold tea" is made form a special Thai blend of chopped black tea leaves flavored and perfumed with star anise, cinnamon, vanilla, and other sweet spices. A little food coloring gives it it's signature terra-cotta hue. It is sold in Asian markets in 1-pound bags, usually labeled Thai tea or cha Thai. In Thailand, it is only served cold and supersweet, crowned with a luxurious cloud of evaporated milk floating on the ice. Thais like their tea very sweet. But you can decrease the amount of syrup to taste. The tea-syrup mixture will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week.
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil, and place a heatproof 1-quart pitcher in the sink. When the water boils, add the tea and remove the pan from the heat. The tea will float to the top until you stir gently to coax it into the water. When all of the tea leaves are wet, let it steep for 3 minutes.
- Pour the contents of the saucepan into the pitcher, and don't worry if the dregs are left behind. Pour the tea back and forth between the pitcher and the saucepan 7 times as it becomes darker and stronger, ending up with the tea in the saucepan. Rinse out the pitcher and strain the tea through a coffee filter back into the pitcher. Add the syrup and stir to dissolve. Cool to room temperature, cover and chill until serving time.
- To serve, fill tall glasses with crushed iced. Add 3/4 cup of the chilled Thai tea per glass. Top off each glass with 3 to 4 tablespoons evaporated milk. Serve as the milk cascades over the ice and swirls into the tea.
- Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain an active simmer and cook until liquid has thickened and colored slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
- Pour the cooled syrup into a jar with a tight-fitting lid, cover, and store at room temperature for 1 week, or in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Tips:
- Use strong black tea. This will give your cha yen a rich, flavorful base.
- Add evaporated milk and condensed milk to taste. The amount you add will depend on how sweet and creamy you like your cha yen.
- Use a combination of spices. Star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom are all common spices used in cha yen. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance out the sweetness.
- Serve cha yen chilled or over ice. It's a refreshing drink that's perfect for any occasion.
Conclusion:
Cha yen is a delicious and refreshing drink that's perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. So next time you're looking for a tasty and unique drink, give cha yen a try!
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