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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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, I never liked the taste of coffee, probably for the best as that would be just another addiction for me. I believe coffee has some benefits as well for the heart.
Talen, I love coffee but I mostly drink green tea with some sort of flavouring (oranges, apple, lemon grass). I know the tea you are talking about because I had it first in Malaysia and Borneo. Soooooo sweet.
Cat, I never got a taste for green tea…always seemed too bitter to me but I do love a good red tea which is supposed to be just as beneficial. The Thai tea is very sweet but it’s great in moderation.
Talen, that’s why I have to have green tea with something added (orange, etc). Green tea as it stands hurts my stomach, but as the benefits are many I try to have a cup every day in place of coffee. But I love my coffee so sometimes I’m not good. I’m very bad.
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Hi Talen, sorry to have been away for a few days(you know why). Tea? I love it, being a Brit we were brought up on it.
I have also recently started trying different non-caffeine teas made from various flowers etc trying to wean myself off coffee(bit like Paul).
I don’t really like milky tea although one of my favourite drinks comes from India, the “cha” sold on Indian trains which is a heady mix of milk, tea and herbs drunk from a disposable terracota cup
Mike, The Indian Cha sounds good. You might want to try some red teas I think they are naturally non caffeinated.
When do you find out the results of the med blog contest?
Thanks for the tea tip. As regards the contest voting(recording unique hits) is open till 31.1.11. Results first week in February.
looking at my hits I reckon I can forget first prize
Anyway the trip was great.
Mike, either way you already won as far as I’m concerned. You got a nice trip and a health check up all paid for by TAT…you’re ahead in my books.
I’m also a tea lover…
its good informative post to me..
i liked it..
Thanks for sharing…
from Ramnagaram
Hi Talen,
This tea is too sweet for me! What’s up with the Cambo money on the table (or is it Vietnamese?)?
Camille, It is very sweet. The money on the table is Lao Kip…I took the pic while on my visa run to Laos…same tea though.
Talen I do prefer tea over coffee and the sweeter the better, I have tasted cha nom lawn before and could quite easily get used to it. However when it comes to tea I much prefer the plain old English variety and of the different Thai sorts iced tea is my favourite. Your photo is another reminder to me that every time I see cha nom lawn I think of a mug of lovely hot thick tomato soup….my favourite, even out of a packet.
Martyn, I prefer a good English teas too…but every now and then the Thai tea just hits the spot…it does resemble tomato soup too