Best 2 Cha Yen Thai Iced Tea Recipes

**Cha Yen: A Refreshing Taste of Thailand**

Originating from the vibrant streets of Thailand, Cha Yen, also known as Thai Iced Tea, is a delightful beverage that captures the essence of Thai culinary artistry. This iconic drink combines the robust flavor of black tea with the aromatic sweetness of spices and condensed milk, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors. Its vibrant orange-red hue and creamy texture make it a visually appealing and refreshing treat. Cha Yen has become a beloved beverage enjoyed in homes, cafes, and street stalls across Thailand and beyond.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to crafting this tantalizing beverage at home, featuring three distinct recipes that cater to various preferences. Dive into the classic Cha Yen recipe, which forms the foundation of this beloved drink. Discover the secrets behind achieving the perfect balance of tea, spices, and condensed milk. For those seeking a healthier alternative, explore the reduced-sugar Cha Yen recipe, which retains the authentic taste while offering a guilt-free indulgence. Lastly, embark on a culinary adventure with the indulgent Cha Yen Float recipe, which elevates the classic Cha Yen with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful dessert drink that is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHA YEN (THAI ICED TEA)

Cha Yen (Thai Iced Tea) image

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

Ingredients

4 tablespoons loose red rooibos tea leaves (or the contents of 10 rooibos tea bags)
3 tablespoons loose black tea leaves (or the contents of 7 black tea bags)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 star anise pods, broken into pieces or roughly chopped
10 whole cloves
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Ice, for serving

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.

THAI ICED TEA (CHA YEN)

Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen) image

A drink that is starting to gain popularity. Almost like a latte but made with tea. My husband loves this.

Provided by metzstar

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Thai

Time 20m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 cup water
2 ½ tablespoons black tea leaves
4 ½ tablespoons white sugar
¼ cup evaporated milk
crushed ice
1 tablespoon milk, divided

Steps:

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and add black tea; let steep about 10 minutes or to desired strength.
Strain tea into a container and discard leaves. Add sugar and evaporated milk; stir until sugar is dissolved.
Fill 2 glasses with ice. Pour tea over ice. Top each glass with 1 1/2 teaspoon milk.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.9 calories, Carbohydrate 31.8 g, Cholesterol 9.7 mg, Fat 2.6 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 41.8 mg, Sugar 31.6 g

Tips:

Use strongly brewed black tea. This will give your cha yen a rich, robust flavor.
Don't skip the spices. The spices in cha yen, like cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise, are what give it its unique flavor.
Use full-fat coconut milk. This will make your cha yen creamy and delicious.
Sweeten your cha yen to taste. You can use sugar, honey, or condensed milk.
Serve cha yen over ice. This is the traditional way to serve it.

Conclusion:

Cha yen is a delicious and refreshing Thai iced tea that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make at home, and it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a refreshing drink, try cha yen. You won't be disappointed.