Several years ago, I heard about Thai Iced Tea from a colleague who loved Thai food. Â
My colleague’s enthusiasm made me want to whip up a cup or two. So, I did.  Â
First, I did a google search. Discovered several easy and delicious recipes with and without the famous orange food coloring.
Fascinating Thai Tea Facts
Thai tea is known in Thailand as Cha Yen which means cold tea. The original mixture consisted of black tea, condensed milk and crushed ice.
Thai Iced Tea, filled with crushed ice, is commonly used to counterbalance spicy Thai foods. Often served with food and on its own.
The climate is hot in Thailand which is why sweetened condensed milk is popular. Canned milk doesn’t require refrigeration.
Thai Iced Tea is made with sweetened condensed milk and often topped with evaporated milk.
SOURCE:Â MyTeadrop.com
Classic Thai Iced Tea can be made two ways:
1. Packaged tea mix which includes orange coloring, spices and black tea.
2. Made from scratch with strong black tea.
My twist doesn’t have orange food coloring. Although the color is beautiful, I decided to omit.
I bought the main ingredients and experimented. The final result turned out great.
Star anise is one of the most delicate herb plants related to dill, fennel and cumin.Â
Star anise is a spice made from the fruit of the Chinese evergreen tree Illicium verum.
It’s named for the star-shaped pods from which the spice seeds are harvested. The flavor is very similar to licorice.
I love the flavor it adds to this tea.Â
STEEP (Definition)
To allow dry ingredients such as coffee, tea, or spices to soak in a liquid until the liquid takes on the flavor of the dry ingredient.
Enjoy!
Thai Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups hot water
- 2 each black tea bags
- 2 each star anise
- 2 each dried cloves
- 4 tablespoons evaporated milk, divided
- 4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk, divided
- sugar to taste (optional)
- crushed ice Or use ice cubes.
Instructions
- Fill two heatproof cups or glasses with boiling hot water. Use a 12-ounce or 16-ounce size.
- Place 1 black tea bag, 1 star anise and 1 clove in each cup. Allow to steep (or sit) 10 minutes. Water will turn a dark golden brown.
- Remove tea bag, star anise and clove. Discard tea bag. Place star anise and clove in a freezer bag. Refrigerate for later use.
- Add 3 tablespoons of evaporated milk ad 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to each cup or glass. Stir until well combined.
- Taste sample. If desired, add 1 tablespoon more of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and sugar.
- Add crushed ice or ice cubes. Serve immediately.
