Traditional Thai tea is an amalgamation of black tea, spices, and sweetened condensed milk. It is a staple for those who consume tea in Thailand along with people all over the world because of its special flavor and lively orange color.
The incorporation of sugar in Thai tea is an ongoing source of concern, though. Numerous individuals have lately been wondering whether Thai tea comprises a lot of sugar and whether having it can have an adverse impact on their general well-being.
Thai tea contains sugar because condensed milk that has been sweetened is often added to Thai tea. Condensed milk itself is a bit sweet as milk tends to have a sweeter taste naturally and when the condensed milk is artificially sweetened it adds to the overall sugar content. The particular precise proportion of sugar, however, may fluctuate depending on the ingredient list and the size of the portion.
This article will focus on Thai tea’s sugar content as well as the potential adverse consequences of having too much sugar in your diet.
Is There A Lot Of Sugar In Thai Tea?
It is true that Thai tea contains a very high level of sugar content, a normal Thai tea can contain anywhere between 6 to 12 teaspoons of sugar, but it depends on the recipe as well, so it is very important to keep it in moderation.
Some people are very conscious about their diet and sugar intake; so what they could do? Well, they can ask the vendor to balance the sweetness in the tea by adding less sugar or milk.
As of now, there are more than five different variations of Thai tea with different levels of sweetness depending on their ingredients and recipes.
How Sweet Is Thai Tea?
Here is a data table for our understanding of Thai tea sugar content. These figures are approximate and can vary depending on the recipes as well as the person making them.
| Brand/Type of Thai Tea | Serving Size (ml) | Calories | Total Sugar (g) |
| Cha Tra Mue Thai Tea | 240 | 105 | 25 |
| Pantai Thai Tea Mix | 240 | 100 | 22 |
| Lipton Thai Tea | 240 | 100 | 21 |
| Tipco Thai Tea | 240 | 98 | 22 |
| Number One The Original | 240 | 100 | 23 |
According to the above-mentioned data table, it can be seen clearly that the sugar content of Thai tea is high as compared to normal milk tea, meaning Thai tea consumer is taking too much sweetness in their beverage.
This brings us to the conclusion that this drink should not be consumed more than once a day. If you are an avid drinker, then you should distribute this sugar content over two drinks rather than taking this much sugar twice.
Disadvantages of Sugar
Although the intake of sugar could benefit us in many ways, it is also very important to understand that regularity of this intake can cause heart disease and diabetes. Let’s dug these disadvantages a little deep:
- First and foremost, it can cause weight gain which can lead to many other diseases.
- High sugar consumption may accelerate skin aging.
- It may cause your liver to store more fat leading to fatty liver disease.
- High sugar consumption can impair your homeostasis mechanism and you lose control over your appetite.
What Are The Benefits Of Sugar Intake?
There are a number of benefits of having sugar but it is very important to keep in mind that excess of anything could turn into a nightmare.
Anyhow, let’s take a closer look at a few benefits of sugar in the following list:
- It can provide a quick boost to your energy levels.
- Consuming sugar elevates mood.
- It can also reduce stress.
- Glucose is also the primary source of brain energy and consuming it can improve brain function and memory.
- Lastly, glucose can help increase endurance so you can also intake sugar as pre-workout.
Sugar Content In Thai Tea vs. Other Beverages
Let’s compare the sugar content of Thai tea with other beverages of the same sort to check which one has the highest sugar content:
- Soda: If we take a 16 fl. oz. can of soda can contain 41 grams of sugar.
- Milk: The sugar content of a 16 fl. oz. glass of milk contains approximately 23 grams of sugar.
- Ice Coffee: Ice coffee let’s say 16 fl. oz. can contain 22 grams of sugar
- Thai Tea: A 16 fl. oz. of Thai tea can contain 38 grams of sugar.
As you can see here the sugar content of Thai tea is on level with soda drinks which are extremely harmful to be added to torte daily diet. So if you want Thai tea as a daily beverage you should opt for sugar-free or less sugar versions of it.
How To Reduce Sugar In Thai Tea?
The best way to do this is to make Thai tea at home. This way you can reduce the amount of sugar in Thai tea as compared to store bright tea. You may change your recipe on a daily basis until you find the perfect balance of sugar and other spices.
As Thai tea contains spices like Star Anise and some more beneficial ingredients, it is better to try and make it at home. So you can have your very own personalized version of your favorite beverage.
Another way is to use health-friendly ingredients. You can ditch the sweetened condensed milk for a plain one. Instead of sugar, try using natural or artificial sweeteners as they pose almost no threat to health while giving all the sweetness to your drink.
Let me list down some of them below:
- Natural sweeteners: Stevia and monk fruit sweetener
- Artificial sweeteners: Aspartame and sucralose
If you are a health-conscious individual and want to make a diet version of Thai tea, then you can watch the following video to learn more about it.
If you are not comfortable making your Thai tea at home, then you should try consuming it in moderation like once a day or you can consume one-half of your drink in the morning and the next half in the evening. Splitting one portion into two is the trick here.
Conclusion
- First and foremost, note that Thai tea is very high in sugar content which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other heart issues.
- Due to its sugar content, it is not recommended by health experts to drink more than one cup of this beverage in a single day.
- The energy boost that you get from Thai tea can be very effective because of its high sugar content.
- Thai tea’s sugar content is very high compared to other beverages. Approximately 9 teaspoons of sugar are present in a single serving of Thai tea.
- The best way for a fan of Thai tea is to make it at home. In that way, you would be able to balance the sugar content and still enjoy your favorite beverage.