What's the deal with Thai Tea?
Here I am in Bangkok at Guss Damn Good ice cream, maybe the only other similarly sized ice cream shop.
The history of tea in Thailand dates back at least four centuries to the reign of King Narai of Ayutthaya. However, tea drinking was only allowed in the capital, at least according to French diplomat Simon de La Loubèr.
De La Loubèr wrote, "Siamese people do not put sugar in their tea and drink it hot, like the Chinese do. It is considered rude to refuse tea; one must take a seat and consume when invited.”
The Indian practice of putting milk eventually traveled to Thailand. Tea was still served hot, but milk and sugar were added. By 1893, Thai entrepreneurs were selling Mam Tun Hua, or sweetened condensed milk and some people began adding it to their tea.
The introduction of ice factories in 1903 led to the popularity of iced tea in shops, eateries, and well-to-do homes during King Rama VI's reign in the 1920s.
The Thai iced tea we know today began in 1945 with the arrival of the ChaTraMue brand. The brand's owner was a Chinese immigrant to Thailand who imported tea from China.
In Thai restaurants, it is served in a tall glass, but when sold from street and market stalls it’s usually poured over the crushed ice in a plastic bag or tall plastic cups.
Recipes for Thai tea have changed over the decades. Some shops use Assam red leaves, some use Ceylon tea, and others use a mix of both. ChaTraMue is still a popular brand, but we use Pantai brand Thai Tea in our Thai Tea Cookies & Cream.
Why is Thai tea orange? The first reason is that the leaves used to make Thai tea are a naturally orange color. These leaves are typically a blend of black tea and Assam tea, which both have a reddish-orange hue. When these leaves are brewed, they release their natural color into the water, giving the tea its signature orange color.
The second reason is that Thai entrepreneurs wanted their tea to stand out from other teas on the market. In the 1940s, when Thai tea was invented, there were many different types of tea available, and it was difficult for Thai entrepreneurs to get their tea noticed. To make their tea stand out, they decided to dye it orange. The orange color was eye-catching and helped to set their tea apart from the competition.
Today, there is still some debate about the true reason for the orange color of Thai tea. Some people believe that the leaves are the primary source of the color, while others believe that the dye is still used. Ultimately, the true reason may never be known. However, one thing is for sure: the orange color of Thai tea is one of its most distinctive features.
Fun fact: I thought of making Thai Tea Cookies & Cream when I was drinking Thai tea in Chiang Mai and noticed a box of Oreos in a store’s window.