Is There Milk in Thai Green Tea? Your Complete Guide

According to food historian Mark Pendergrast, tea consumption surged in Southeast Asia during the 19th century, influencing local variations like the famously sweet and creamy Thai green tea. While the base is green tea, the creamy, sweet versions commonly enjoyed in Thailand and abroad absolutely contain milk.

Quick Summary

Thai green tea, known as Cha Kieow Nom Yen, is typically made with condensed and evaporated milk for a rich, sweet, and creamy texture. The base uses green tea leaves, often infused with jasmine or pandan, for its distinct floral and earthy notes. This popular iced beverage is a creamy variation of green tea, distinguishing it from traditional unsweetened brews.

Key Points

• Yes, it contains milk: The creamy, sweet versions of Thai green tea popularly served are made with sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk.

• Not naturally dairy-free: The classic recipe relies on dairy for its rich, sweet, and creamy texture.

• A different beverage from standard green tea: Unlike plain green tea, Thai green tea is a dessert-like, sweetened, and creamy drink, often with floral notes from jasmine or pandan.

• The color is not always natural: The vibrant green hue is often enhanced with food coloring in many commercial Thai green tea mixes.

• Plant-based options are available: You can substitute dairy with alternatives like coconut, oat, or almond milk to make a vegan version.

• Control sweetness at home: Making the tea yourself allows you to manage the amount of sugar and condensed milk, tailoring it to your preference.

The Creamy Components of Thai Green Tea

The popular milky version of Thai green tea uses a green tea base, typically jasmine-scented, combined with milk and sweeteners. Cha Kieow Nom Yen, a creamy version in Thailand, primarily uses sweetened condensed milk for sweetness and texture, along with evaporated milk or half-and-half for added creaminess and a layered look. Dairy-free options using milks like coconut, oat, or almond are available. A non-dairy alternative, Cha Dam Yen, uses only sugar for sweetness.

The Importance of Sweeteners and Flavorings

Sweetness is key to Thai green tea, often achieved through sweetened condensed milk and sometimes additional sugar. Commercial mixes may include sugar and flavoring. Jasmine and pandan are common flavorings. Unlike traditional Thai iced tea, this version usually doesn't include spices like star anise.

Preparing Authentic Thai Green Tea

Making creamy Thai green tea involves brewing a strong tea base, dissolving dairy and sweeteners while hot, chilling, and serving over ice with a creamy topping.

Thai Green Tea vs. Thai Iced Tea: A Comparative Look

Thai green tea (Cha Kieow Nom Yen) uses a green tea base with jasmine or pandan for a floral, earthy flavor and a pale green color. Traditional Thai iced tea (Cha Yen) uses black tea, spices like star anise, has an amber color, and a bolder flavor profile. Both use condensed and evaporated milk for creaminess and sweetness.

Variations Beyond the Classic Recipe

Variations include dairy-free versions with plant-based milks like coconut, serving it hot, adding tapioca pearls for bubble tea, or adjusting sweetness with reduced sugar or alternative sweeteners.

Conclusion

Yes, the popular, creamy version of Thai green tea includes milk, specifically condensed and evaporated milk, which provides its unique sweet and rich character. This distinguishes it from plain green tea. Dairy-free and less sweet modifications are widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What gives Thai green tea its distinct green color? Cha Kieow Nom Yen gets its green color from green tea leaves, often infused with pandan. Commercial mixes may add artificial coloring.

2. Can you make Thai green tea dairy-free? Yes, substitute dairy with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk.

3. Is Thai green tea the same as matcha? No. Matcha is powdered Japanese green tea; Thai green tea is a brewed jasmine-scented infusion.

4. Is Thai green tea always served iced? While iced (Cha Kieow Nom Yen) is most common, it can also be enjoyed hot.

5. Does authentic Thai green tea have spices in it? No, unlike traditional Thai iced tea, it focuses on floral notes like jasmine or pandan.

6. Is Thai green tea healthier than the classic Thai iced tea? Thai green tea has lower caffeine than black tea-based Thai iced tea. Healthiness depends on sugar/milk content. The green tea base has antioxidants.

7. What is the difference between Thai green tea and regular green tea? Thai green tea is typically a sweeter, creamier variation with milk and sugar, often flavored with jasmine or pandan, unlike simple brewed green tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What gives Thai green tea its distinct green color?

Cha Kieow Nom Yen gets its green color from the green tea leaves used as the base, which are often infused with flavors like pandan. Many commercial mixes also include artificial food coloring to enhance the brightness and vibrancy of the green hue.

Can you make Thai green tea dairy-free?

Yes, you can easily make Thai green tea dairy-free by substituting the traditional condensed and evaporated milk with plant-based alternatives. Coconut milk is a popular choice, as its flavor complements the tea's floral and earthy notes.

Is Thai green tea the same as matcha?

No, Thai green tea is not the same as matcha. Matcha is a finely powdered Japanese green tea made from shade-grown leaves. Thai green tea is typically a brewed infusion of jasmine-scented green tea leaves.

Is Thai green tea always served iced?

While the iced version, Cha Kieow Nom Yen, is most common, Thai green tea can also be enjoyed hot. The warm version is equally creamy and sweet, offering a comforting alternative to the chilled beverage.

Does authentic Thai green tea have spices in it?

Unlike its traditional Thai iced tea counterpart, authentic Thai green tea does not typically contain spices like star anise or cardamom. Its flavor profile is more focused on the floral notes of jasmine or pandan.

Is Thai green tea healthier than the classic Thai iced tea?

Thai green tea generally has a lower caffeine content than Thai iced tea, which is made from black tea. However, the overall healthiness depends heavily on the amount of added sugar and condensed milk. The base green tea itself is rich in antioxidants.

What is the difference between Thai green tea and regular green tea?

The main difference is in the preparation and flavorings. Regular green tea is a simple brew of tea leaves. Thai green tea is almost always a sweeter, creamier variation made with milk and sugar, and often has added flavors like jasmine or pandan.