Oolong Tea Recipes

Traditional Thai Iced Tea Recipe Cha Yen from Thailand

What is the recipe for Thai Tea?
Lots of people ask us this question. How do you make the milky-sweet Thai tea common in Thai restaurants around the world?

In Thailand this tea is called Cha Yen and it's important that you order it that way in-country as there are many other kinds of tea served there. Cha Yen literally translates as Tea Cool - Chilled Tea.

1 cup Thai Tea (Cha Thai)
6 cups Water
1 cup Sugar
1 can Evaporated Milk
Half-and-Half cream (a western touch)

  1. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan.
  2. Add the tea and remove the pan from heat.
  3. Stir to submerge all the tea leaves in the water.
  4. Steep for about 5 minutes.
  5. Pour the brew through a coffee filter or a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher.
  6. Add the sugar to the hot tea and stir to dissolve.
  7. Cool to room temperature.
  8. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  9. Fill tall glasses with crushed ice.
  10. Add enough of the tea to fill the glasses to within 1 inch from the top.
  11. Float 3 to 4 tablespoons of evaporated milk over the ice in each glass.
  12. For a taste of the west, include a half-and-half creamer with, or instead of, evaporated milk

Traditionally the tea used to make Cha Yen is a low-quality black tea grown in the northern hills of Thailand. The tea is placed in a strainer and boiling water is poured over it 4 or 5 times. The tea becomes a muddy red color and is VERY strong. The tea is poured into a plastic bag over lots of ice, sugar-water syrup is added, evaporative milk is poured over the top, a straw is inserted into the baggy and you are handed your personal package of yummy Cha Yen.

We feel, however, Thai Tea is best made with a Grade A Oolong Tea; it is certainly more healthy for you.

Cha Dum Yen

1-2 tablespoons Thai tea
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup hot water

  1. Add sugar to a glass or cup.
  2. Put one tablespoon of Thai tea to a tea sock.
  3. Place the tea sock directly above the glass.
  4. Pour hot water into the tea sock.
  5. Set the tea sock aside.
  6. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved.
  7. Add ice

Bubble Tea Sugar Syrup:

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups water

Makes approximately 32-35 sixteen ounce servings

  1. Mix sugar and water in a large pot.
  2. Cook at medium to high heat.
  3. Once the mixture boils remove from stove immediately.
  4. Let cool and serve.

*Refrigerate any excess


USA ($1.50 per bag)
Canada ($2.00 per bag)
Other ($2.50 per bag)



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