Cha Yen
Cha Yen is a bold, sweet, and creamy Thai iced tea with a striking amber-orange color and a refreshing chill. Strong brewed tea is balanced by luscious condensed milk and silky evaporated milk, creating a smooth drink that is both energizing and dessert-like.
Ingredients
Tea base
- 20 gThai tea powder
- 300 mlwater
Milk mixture
- 60 gsweetened condensed milk
- 80 mlevaporated milk
For serving
- 300 gice
Instructions
- 1
Bring the water just to a boil in a small saucepan or kettle. Add the Thai tea powder, stir once, and let it steep for 3 minutes so the tea becomes deeply colored and strong enough to stand up to the milk and ice.
- 2
Strain the tea through a fine sieve or tea strainer into a heatproof jug, pressing lightly on the tea to extract the liquid without forcing too much sediment through. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until fully dissolved.
- 3
Fill 2 tall glasses with the ice. Divide the hot sweetened tea between the glasses. Pour the evaporated milk over each glass; for the classic layered look, pour slowly over the back of a spoon, then stir before drinking if desired.
- 4
Serve immediately while very cold. The flavor should be bold, creamy, and sweet; if you prefer it less intense, let the ice melt slightly before drinking.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a more traditional bright orange color, many commercial Thai tea blends already include coloring and spices such as star anise or tamarind.
- •If your Thai tea powder is finely ground, line the strainer with a paper coffee filter for a smoother drink.
- •For extra richness, reserve a small splash of evaporated milk to drizzle on top just before serving.
Background
Cha yen is one of Thailand’s most popular street drinks, commonly sold from market stalls, cafés, and roadside vendors. Its modern form reflects a blend of strong black tea, sweetened milk, and ice, a style that became widespread as iced beverages grew popular in Thailand’s hot climate.
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