Thai Iced Tea
ชาเย็น
Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen) is a sweet, vibrant orange drink made from strongly brewed black tea mixed with condensed milk and evaporated milk, poured over crushed ice. It's refreshing, rich, and the perfect antidote to spicy food.
Cultural Origin
Cha yen, Thai iced tea, evolved in mid-20th-century Bangkok as Ceylon black tea — imported through British-era trade — was sweetened with sugar and finished with evaporated and condensed milk for the local sweet-tooth palate. The orange colour comes from food colouring added to a proprietary spice-blend tea sold by brands such as ChaTraMue. It is now a default street-cart beverage nationwide and a fixture of Thai restaurants abroad.
Allergens & Sensitivities
Key Ingredients
- Thai tea mix
- condensed milk
- evaporated milk
- sugar
- crushed ice
Where to Try It
Every street stall, restaurant, and 7-Eleven in Thailand — it's one of the most ubiquitous drinks in the country.
Tips
- Stir slowly before drinking to create a gradient swirl — visually dramatic and it mixes the sweetness gradually.
- Ask for less condensed milk ('wan noi') if you prefer it less sweet.