Cha Nom Lawn: Hot Thai Tea with Milk

Lao trip 6521 Cha Nom Lawn: Hot Thai Tea with Milk

I’m a tea lover and it should come as no surprise that some of the best teas come from Asia. That being said some of the worst teas for you can be found in Asia as well, It all depends on what you want.

Personally I love a good black tea and when you drink Thai tea that is precisely what you will get, a fine black tea, usually Chinese, flavored with tamarind and a hint of cinnamon, vanilla and star anise.

Occasionally some of the teas will have orange blossoms added for that extra citrus flavor and all Thai tea has red food coloring added for that distinct look. If you like your tea strong and sweet, as I do, then you will love Thai tea.

I prefer hot tea in the morning so I ask for cha nom lawn ( hot tea with milk ) but Thai tea is also very good iced and if this is what you would want then you would ask for cha yen ( iced tea ) or cha dum yen ( iced tea with no milk ).

Black tea is actually good for you and as a matter of fact has many healthy benefits such as:

  • Black teas contain antioxidants which prevent the damage caused by free radicals which can lead to numerous diseases.
  • Drinking black teas can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as it helps to expand the arteries, which increases blood flow to the heart.
  • Research has shown the black tea can be used in the fight against cancer.  Properties of the tea slow down the growth of cancerous cells without destroying healthy cells.
  • Tea is also believed to help to delay the aging process.  Nowadays there are many anti aging creams and lotions that contain tea extracts to help the skin look younger.
  • Drinking black tea can help to burn fat and speed up metabolism.  This makes it an ideal drink for those who are looking to lose weight, or who exercise regularly.
  • Drinking tea such as black and green tea helps to reduce bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
  • Tea contains fluoride, which can help to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel.
  • For those people with diabetes, drinking tea can help to decrease glucose levels, which can reduce the risk of cataracts, and other conditions brought about by diabetes.

Sounds great doesn’t it? All of that goes out the window when you drink the Thai tea as pictured above. Milk alone negates most of black teas beneficial properties.

When you ask for cha nom lawn at the right street vendor they will begin cooking the tea and heating up the glass. Next they will pour about an ounce of carnation evaporated milk into the bottom of the glass followed by a generous helping of sugar and then when the tea is ready pour that on top. The evaporated milk is so heavy that the tea actually sits on top so when the glass is handed to you it’s white on the bottom and red on top.

Once stirred the tea turns a beautiful orange color and the taste can only be described as perfection. Sure, it’s not a drink you should have more than one of in a sitting, and for that matter it’s not a drink you should have every day but every now and then it’s just the right thing to do.

I like to drink my cha nom lawn early in the morning while watching the city come alive. The above picture was taken in Vientiane, Laos but I have had similar mornings in Bangkok, Mukdahan and Pattaya.

Note: You have to find the right place to order your cha nom lawn or cha yen or you will end up with a regular cup of hot tea or glass of iced tea ( which is better for you ). The motorcycle carts that sell coffee will always make it this way if you ask for cha nom lawn and so will most small street front Thai restaurants. Occasionally you’ll end up with a regular cup of tea but that’s okay…it just increases the anticipation for the next glass of cha nom lawn.

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One Response to Cha Nom Lawn: Hot Thai Tea with Milk
  1. Paul Garrigan
    November 30, 2010 | 3:56 pm

    I like tea as well Talen, but not as much as coffee. I was trying to increase my intake of green tea as a replacement for coffee, but I fell off the wagon. I know that tea is better for me so hopefully I will eventually make the switch.
    Paul Garrigan´s last blog ..Mindful Eating Week Six – the Power of MindfulnessMy ComLuv Profile

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