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Thai Lime Tea (Cha Manao)
Not every Thai tea is creamy. Cha manao is the bright, dairy-free cousin of cha yen - the same spiced black tea, finished with fresh lime and a little sugar instead of milk. Clean, citrusy, and endlessly refreshing.
What is cha manao?
Cha manao (ชามะนาว) means "lime tea." It uses the same Thai tea base as cha yen but skips the milk entirely, leaning on fresh lime juice and a touch of sugar. The result is lighter, tangier, and naturally lower in calories.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Thai tea mix
- 1.5 cups hot water (90°C)
- 1.5 tbsp sugar (or to taste)
- 1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- Ice; lime wedge to garnish
Method
- Steep the tea mix in hot water for 5 minutes, then strain.
- Sweeten the hot tea with sugar and stir to dissolve; let cool.
- Finish over a glass of ice, then stir in fresh lime juice to taste.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Use a proper mix
The spiced black-tea base that gives cha manao its backbone under the citrus.
Check price on Amazon →FAQ
Is Thai lime tea vegan?
Yes - cha manao is naturally dairy-free and vegan, since it contains no milk at all.
Can I make it less sweet?
Absolutely. Reduce the sugar and lean on the lime; it is delicious as a lightly sweetened, tart iced tea.
Keep reading
- The creamy original: cha yen
- Thai tea health benefits and lighter swaps
- Cold-brew the tea base for extra smoothness
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