Thai Iced Tea: Nice creamy drink "cha-yen"

Thai tea (also known as Thai iced tea) or "cha-yen"

In Thailand, my favorite drink is “Cha-yen” (Thai Iced Tea) made from strongly-brewed powdered red tea (a Combination of China Black tea dust, Thailand own grown red tea leaf, natural flavor -- not to be confused with rooibos, known as "red tea" in the West). Other ingredients in the powder vary. This tea is sweetened with sugar and condensed milk and served chilled. Evaporated or whole milk is generally poured over the tea and ice before serving--it is never mixed prior to serving--to add taste and creamy appearance. Locally, it is served in a traditional tall glass and when ordered take-out, it is poured over the crushed ice in a clear (or translucent) plastic bag.

Thai iced tea must look orange and has the aroma of the red tea. Thai tea is reddish orange color that because a kind of tea you use (as mentioned above). If you’ve ever been to Thailand or even Thai restaurant, you know this delicious orange beverage. It is very strong, very sweet, and very good. Here is my recipe (combination from many sources, Thanks!) for this tasty iced tea, which is the perfect complement to a hot day.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Thai tea leave (blend): Lipton tea will not give the true character of Thai tea (aroma, and orange color)
• 1 2/3 cup Water
• ½ cup sugar
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Evaporated Milk

Equipment:

• Big pot for boiling water
• Big, fine strainer or sieve, or a traditional tea sock, if you can find at the asian market
• Heat-resistant pitcher

These are the ingredients for 2 glasses of tea. Scale up if you desire. My Susan, British friend, often make a huge batch of the sweetened tea, save it in the fridge, and then break it out whenever she wants, adding evaporated milk at the time of serving.For the Thai tea leaves, go to your local Asian food store (in the market) and look for “Thai Seasoning Mix” or “Thai Tea Dust”. It usually looks like dark brown shredded tea leaves.

Bring your water to a boil in a pot with some head space (you need space for the tea leaves.) When the water begins to boil, remove the pot from the heat to stop the boiling, and then add the tea leaves to the pot, stirring until the leaves look swollen. Don't boil the tea! It will be bitter! Just let it sit in the hot water approximately 4 minutes, and wait.Then carefully strain the tea into your heat resistant pitcher through a tea sock / sieve. Pour slowly, letting the sieve catch most of the tea leaves.

When the tea is in the pitcher, add your sweetener, and stir to dissolve. You have to add the sweetener when the tea is hot, otherwise you'll never get it to dissolve fully.

Serve with iced in tall glass with long spoon, so guests can swirl the mixture themselves.