History of Thai Tea

What Is Thai Iced Tea

Thai iced tea must start with a base of strong black tea. Once it’s been brewed, condensed milk is added to give it a creamy, silky-smooth texture. To top it off, crushed ice is added to the mix to keep the tea chilled and refreshing.

Some people choose to add evaporated milk, spices, or even sugar to enhance the flavor of the tea. You can spot Thai iced tea because of its signature color: orange.

The Origin of Thai Iced Tea

Tea, first imported as a cash crop from China in the 1980s, is a relatively new commodity to Thailand. Once tea started becoming a popular beverage to serve alongside all different types of meals, it’s believed that a Thai leader who had a curiosity in Western culture actually invented Thai iced tea. The original version of Thai iced tea did not include other flavorings that are often added to the mix today.

Soon after this type of tea was created, it started being served with street food until it made its way into restaurants and the home. Once it gained popularity, it started appearing as a staple beverage in surrounding regions and even overseas!

How Thai Iced Tea Rose to Popularity

It didn’t take long for Thai food to start becoming popular in North America, which meant that Thai iced tea was becoming a prolific beverage there as well. The sweet, smooth, and creamy flavor of Thai iced tea was perfect for washing down the rich, flavorful taste of well-received Thai dishes.

Thai restaurants in the Western world started implementing the tea into their menus, often adding flavorings and orange food coloring to make the tea more appealing to Americans. Now, Thai iced tea is a favorite among American foodies!