Thai tea is a special and exquisite drink that has been gaining recognition throughout Thailand as well as globally. The striking orange color plus the sweetness of this tea has made this tea a beloved drink for most.
Now, coming back to our question:
What is Thai tea?
It is a creamy and sweet-flavored drink that is made by mixing black tea, spices, and sweetened condensed milk.
What makes Thai tea orange?
The addition of food coloring produces a vivid orange color in this drink.
In this article, I’ll further elaborate on what Thai tea is and why it is orange in color. We’ll also touch on some other intriguing details about this favorite beverage in this post, so let’s stick together till the end.
History of Thai Tea
Tea is considered to be a new phenomenon in Thailand. It got popular around the 1980s.
When Thai tea which is known as Cha Yen, a mixture of black tea, condensed milk, and sometimes ice was invented; many suspect it was a lingering influence from field Marshal Pibul Songkram, a Thai leader with a taste of Western culture.
Since then, it become the benchmark of Thai street food culture. The Thai tea is sometimes spiced with star anise and orange blossom water for coloring but more often than it, it is served without any extra flavoring.
As Thai food became popular in North America, Thai tea also became prominent and attracted American sensibilities. The Thai chef also start using bright orange coloring the same used in macaroni and cheese, adding a heavy dose of spices to differentiate it from a standard ice latte.
Are Thai Tea Leaves Orange?
The leaves used in Thai tea are not orange. Like most other teas, it uses black tea leaves as its base.
Traditional Thai tea is made from Ceylon black tea, milk, sugar, and spices which contain Cardamom and star anise. The version of the Thai drink that you are probably familiar with—crimson orange and heavily spiced—is not exactly a quintessential Thai beverage.
Just like the Chicken Tikka Masala, the drink in Thai restaurants around the world is a culinary hybrid, combining a lowbrow Thai street tea with the Western taste of sweetened and brightly colored beverages.
You can enjoy it either hot or cold, this drink is very famous in Southeast Asia and is served in many restaurants that serve Thai food. Because Thai food lovers’ meal is incomplete with Thai tea, the people prefer Iced Thai Tea which is served in a tall glass and poured over a bag of ice.
The following video will provide more clarity to the fact why Thai tea is orange in color.
Other Kinds Of Thai Tea
In addition to Thai iced tea, there are other kinds of tea that are also referred to as Thai tea, such as follows:
- Thai traditional medicinal practice has developed recipes for a few concoctions, those medicinal properties holding teas are also known as Thai teas.
- Thai Oolong tea is also known as Thai tea; oolong tea leaves are commonly steamed with ginger, lemon grass, and celery.
Here is a table of ingredients commonly found in Thai Tea:
| Ingredients | Amount |
| Black tea leaves | 2 tbsp. |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Sugar | 2-3 tbsp. |
| Evaporated milk | 1/4 cup |
| Condensed milk | 2-3 tbsp. (optional) |
| Orange food coloring (optional) | 1-2 drops |
Preparation Of Thai Iced Tea
According to Pim Techamuanvivit, the chef and owner of San Francisco’s Kin Khao, Thai iced tea is not a beverage that is commonly brewed at home, unlike many other cultures’ tea preparations. It’s more likely to be sold from street carts or coffee shops.
- Strong black tea is the traditional Thai iced tea foundation.
- A spice mix of turmeric, tamarind, cardamom, and star anise has been added to the tea base.
- After the tea has been steeped for a long period in a pot lined with a pantyhose filter, sweetened condensed milk and crushed (never cubed) ice are added.
- Your refreshing drink is ready to be consumed.
In the morning, the beverage usually comes hot with crispy dough for coating; but, in the hot, muggy afternoons, ice is commonly added to make the beverage a stimulating cooler.
At Kin Khao, Techamuanvivit sells a variation of Thai iced tea. Her trick for reducing the sweetness is to mix condensed milk with ordinary milk (often referred to as “Thai cream,” she says).
Techamuanvivit, however, claims that the finished result is constantly “silky and refreshing. It’s not particularly meaningful or difficult to make, but it is tasty and can definitely be worth a try.
Why Thai Tea Is Orange
Food coloring is responsible for the distinctive orange color of Thai tea.
Black tea leaves and additional spices are typically mixed together to make Thai tea. The tea’s natural color is a reddish-brown, which isn’t as vivid as the orange color that Thai tea is frequently known for. Food coloring is incorporated into the tea to improve its visual attractiveness.
Another possible reason is the addition of turmeric. Turmeric has a bright yellowish-orange color which when added to the tea can give it an orange hue.
What Makes Thai Tea Special
Thai tea has a number of qualities that makes it a special beverage, including its crimson-orange coloring:
- Flavor: Unlike many other forms of tea, Thai tea has a sweet and creamy flavor. Milk, spices, and leaves of tea merge together to produce a flavorsome beverage that is hard to put down.
- Texture: Condensed milk is added to Thai tea to give it a rich, creamy texture that sets it apart from other teas. This makes it the ideal choice for people who enjoy creamy drinks.
- Health advantages: Tea has certain advantages, despite not precisely being a healthy beverage. Thai tea includes antioxidants that will help lower the chances of certain diseases and it also decreases the inflammation and soreness in the body caused by day-to-day stressful activities.
Health Benefits Of Thai Tea
Thai tea has possible health advantages in addition to being delicious; these includes the following:
- Rich in antioxidants: Antioxidants that are found in tea leaves help prevent long-term health conditions which include cardiovascular disease and cancer.
- May improve heart health: Based on multiple study results, the consumption of Thai tea might decrease the possibility of suffering from heart disease.
- Can help with digestion: The spices and aromatic plants such as star anise and cinnamon, have been used for decades to help with bloating and other digestive problems.
- May boost energy: Thai tea includes caffeine, which can help boost mental clarity and energy levels.
- May improve mood: The amino acids l-theanine and caffeine in black tea have been shown to lessen stress and elevate mood.
Conclusion
- Thai tea is liked around the world because of its distinctive taste and flavorful fun.
- Thai tea’s orange color is caused by the inclusion of food coloring, which makes it appear more visually appealing.
- A cold Thai Ice tea can be very refreshing and satisfying, especially in summer.
- If we look into this tea as a culture, we will find that its served at almost every gathering and also served to welcome guests in Thai culture.
- The tea leaves used in Thai tea contain antioxidants and the spices used in tea possess anti-inflammatory properties.
- Overall, Thai tea is a delicious and refreshing drink that is definitely worth a try.