Tea is one of the widely consumed beverages in the world. For the longest time, it has been a part of Asian culture but Thailand also has its native tea. At this point, these teas have made their make in America and people in the western world are getting used to this palate. However, many people don’t understand the difference between different types of tea, which is why Thai tea vs chai tea in this post will be a great help!
Thai Tea vs Chai Tea
Thai Tea
Thai tea belongs to Thailand as it originated there and the most surprising fact is that Thailand isn’t even a tea nation. In fact, this is the reason why many people think that Thai tea belongs to China but it’s not the case. It is extremely popular in Thailand and has become a global sensation. This tea is known for its orange color – it’s common to believe that orange color is achieved by different ingredients, but in reality, they add food color to the tea.
Thai tea is made with the combination of star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom – this mixture is used as a base for real tea. For instance, it is added to milk, black tea, sugar, and condensed milk. Since Thai tea is made with sugar and condensed milk, the tea tends to be extremely sweet. In addition to its hot form, it is also served as a cold tea. The cold Thai tea is made with condensed milk only. As far as the availability is concerned, you can find it at any Thai restaurant.
On the top of the tea, some evaporated milk is also added. Before this, the tea is shifted from one pitcher to another – it is done to develop froth, so the tea becomes creamier. When we talk about tea, it is important to consider the caffeine quantity; the eight ounces of Thai tea has 47mg of caffeine. Along with the Thai tea mixture, Ceylon tea and black tea are also added. There are actually different varieties of Thai tea available but lime Thai tea is the most popular.
This tea is just like iced tea with a Thai tea base, lime, and mint – it is more of a refreshing tea. Overall, it is consumed in the morning and many people like it with fried dough (the dough is cut into long strips).
Chai Tea
Chai tea originates from India and Indians tend to drink tea on a daily basis (sometimes, multiple times a day). In simpler words, chai tea has become an essential part of the diet. It is made of different types of spices that warm up the body and soothe the stomach. It is served all around the globe and is preferred by foreigners. This is why the coffee bars have chai tea on the menu. As far as the ingredients are concerned, it is never certain.
This is because the ingredients of chai tea depend on the region, but in the majority of cases, it contains cloves, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. In addition, black tea, sugar, and milk are added to tea to make the perfect warm beverage. AT this point, it’s pretty evident that the ingredients are handpicked to help you warm up the body, so it’s a great option for colder days. As far as caffeine is concerned, an eight-ounce serving of chai tea has approximately 26mg of caffeine.
The chai tea is also available in the spiced form, with which it is flavored with black peppercorns, ginger, and cloves. The dry tea is available in the form of powdered and leafy forms but it tends to go stale with time. Usually, the dry tea stays well for over a year and you are advised to keep it in a dark and cool place. In addition, it should be stored in an airtight container.
When it comes down to chai tea, milk is an important consideration and it is usually made from whole milk because it brings out the richness of other ingredients.
The Bottom Line
Both Thai tea and chai tea are delicious but health factor is an important consideration for many people. Thai tea tends to have condensed milk as well as sugar while chai tea only has sugar, so if you want to drink something healthier, opt for chai tea.