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Thai Green Milk Tea (Cha Yen Keaw)
If orange cha yen is the icon, green Thai milk tea is its cooler, more aromatic sibling. Built on jasmine-scented green tea instead of spiced black, cha yen keaw turns a deep emerald and tastes floral, creamy, and a little lighter on the caffeine.
What is Thai green milk tea?
Thai green milk tea — cha yen keaw (ชาเขียว), literally "green iced tea" — is a newer member of the Thai tea family that has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Like classic Thai tea it is based on Assam tea leaves, but here they are heavily scented with jasmine and vanilla. A small amount of green coloring in the blend gives the brewed tea its signature emerald-to-jade tone.
The flavor sits somewhere between a jasmine milk tea and the creamy sweetness of cha yen: floral and fragrant up front, rounded out by sweetened condensed milk, with a gentler caffeine hit than the black-tea original.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Thai green tea mix (jasmine-scented)
- 1.5 cups hot water (about 90°C / 195°F)
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp evaporated milk (or oat milk)
- 1 tbsp sugar, optional, to taste
- Ice
Method
- Steep the green tea mix in hot water for 4–5 minutes, then strain through a cloth filter sock or fine mesh.
- Sweeten the hot tea with sugar and condensed milk, stirring until fully dissolved; let it cool to room temperature.
- Build over a tall glass packed with ice and pour in the sweetened green tea.
- Finish by floating evaporated milk on top for the two-tone swirl, then stir and serve.
Green vs. orange Thai tea
| Green (Cha Yen Keaw) | Orange (Cha Yen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Base tea | Jasmine green / Assam | Spiced black |
| Flavor | Floral, vanilla, creamy | Bold, spiced, malty |
| Caffeine | Lower | Moderate |
| Color | Emerald green | Bright orange |
Use the right mix
The jasmine-scented green blend is what makes cha yen keaw taste authentic. ChaTraMue and Number One both sell a green version.
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Strains the fine leaves cleanly and aerates the pour for a silkier glass.
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Is Thai green milk tea the same as matcha?
No. Matcha is stone-ground Japanese green tea whisked into water; cha yen keaw is steeped jasmine-scented green tea sweetened with condensed milk. See our Thai tea vs. matcha comparison.
Why is my green tea not green?
The green color comes from coloring in the mix plus a gentle steep. Authentic Thai green tea mix delivers the jade tone; plain green tea leaves brew a pale yellow-green instead.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Swap the condensed milk for coconut condensed milk and the evaporated milk for oat or coconut milk for a vegan cha yen keaw.
Keep reading
- The orange original: authentic cha yen
- Thai tea vs. matcha: which is healthier?
- Make a cafe-style Thai tea latte
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