Wellness Origin HubThai iced tea (cha yen) with less sugar
Thai iced tea, or cha yen, made with strong spiced black tea, a little condensed milk and a splash of evaporated milk over crushed ice, with about half the usual sugar.
Thai iced tea, called cha yen in Thailand, is very strong black tea, sweetened with condensed milk, poured over crushed ice and topped with a splash of evaporated milk. This version keeps the deep, creamy, spiced flavour but uses about half the sugar of a typical street-stall glass. Brew the tea extra strong, cool it a little, and build the glass just before serving.
Cha yen simply means "cold tea", and the bright orange, milky kind is sold everywhere in Thailand, from street carts to cafés, often in a tall plastic cup or a bag with a straw. Vendors brew it in a long cloth filter called a tea sock, pouring the tea through it again and again to make it strong. The striking orange colour usually comes from commercial Thai tea mixes, which are black tea blended with flavourings and, in most brands, a food colouring. Made from plain black tea with a little spice, the drink is the same idea but turns out a deep amber rather than neon orange.
How to make it
- Put the tea (and the star anise and vanilla if you are using plain black tea) in a heatproof jug or teapot and pour over the boiling water.
- Steep for 5 minutes, then strain through a tea sock, a fine sieve or a paper filter. For a stronger brew, pour the strained tea back over the leaves and strain again.
- While the tea is still hot, stir in the condensed milk and the sugar if you use it, until dissolved.
- Leave to cool for at least 15 minutes, or chill it. Pouring hot tea on ice melts it and waters the drink down.
- Fill two tall glasses with crushed ice and pour in the sweet tea, leaving room at the top.
- Pour the evaporated milk slowly over the top so it swirls down through the tea, then stir before drinking.
Thai tea mix or plain black tea?
| Thai tea mix | Plain black tea with spice | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour | Malty, sweet, vanilla-like, sometimes with spice notes | Malty and clean, with gentle anise and vanilla |
| Colour | Bright orange, usually from added colouring | Deep amber to brown |
| Where to buy | Asian grocers and online | Any supermarket |
| Check the label | Many contain colourings; some brands sell a version without | Nothing added |
Both make a good glass. The mix gives the familiar street-stall taste, and the plain tea gives you control over what goes in.
How much sugar is in it
A typical Thai iced tea from a stall or chain is sweet, as it is often made with sugar and a generous pour of condensed milk. This recipe uses 15 ml of condensed milk per glass, roughly 10 g of sugar, plus the optional teaspoon of sugar. That still counts towards the limit the NHS sets for adults of no more than 30 g of free sugars a day, so it is a treat, but a smaller one. Our guide to sugar in drinks compares it with other sweet drinks.
Tips for the best flavour
- Brew it stronger than you think. The milk and ice dilute it a lot. Weak tea tastes milky and flat.
- Do not over-steep. Stronger means more tea, not more time. Steeping past 6 or 7 minutes brings out bitterness.
- Sweeten while hot. Condensed milk mixes easily into hot tea, not into cold.
- Use crushed ice. It chills the drink fast and gives the street-stall texture. A blender or a tea towel and a rolling pin will crush ice cubes.
- Add the milk last. The swirl looks good, and evaporated milk gives a rich taste with less fat than cream.
Variations
- Dairy-free: use coconut condensed milk and a splash of coconut or oat milk.
- Cha dam yen: skip the milk and serve the tea black and sweetened over ice, a common Thai variation.
- Cha manao: the same black iced tea with lime juice and a little sugar, sharp and refreshing.
- Spiced: add a split cardamom pod or a small piece of cinnamon stick with the tea, closer to the spice of masala chai.
- Thai iced coffee: the same method with strong coffee instead of tea, a cousin of our Vietnamese iced coffee.
Make ahead and storage
The sweetened, cooled tea keeps in a closed bottle in the fridge for up to three days. Add the ice and evaporated milk only when you serve. For a party, multiply the recipe with the buttons beside the ingredients and keep the tea in a jug in the fridge.
Questions people ask
What gives Thai iced tea its orange colour?
In most commercial Thai tea mixes it is a food colouring added to the tea, not the tea itself. Black tea on its own brews dark amber, and turns a warm tan when milk is added.
How much caffeine does Thai iced tea have?
It is made with a lot of black tea, so a glass can have as much caffeine as a strong cup of tea or more, depending on the brew. See how much caffeine is too much if you are keeping track.
Can I make it with tea bags?
Yes. Use six to eight strong black tea bags for 300 ml of water and squeeze them gently before removing.
Photograph: AI-generated image
