Tea Drinks : Chai, Thai Iced Tea, and More
First, there was ice tea.
Americans tried it, it was good.
Then, in a mighty rush, global cuisine found its way onto the American palate. Thai tea became a sensation, a wonderful antidote to spicy foods. Masala chai, India's take on tea with milk, was next. Recently, a new addition to the ice tea family arrived, called boba, or bubble tea.
Cruising your local Chinatown, you'll be surprised to see how many different tea tastes exist. In this lesson, we'll be exploring the more exotic, yet interesting, variations on tea from around the world. These tea drinks are quickly gaining popularity in a market once ruled virtually exclusively by antiquated English tea.
For years, after indulging in pleasantly piquant Thai cuisine, many American taste buds have been quelled by Thai tea. Also called Cha Yen, this delicious delicacy blends the characteristically Thai tastes of coconut milk and star anise with vanilla, clove, cinnamon, orange, sugar and, of course, tea (usually a China black). This is the perfect complement for a spicy summer meal.
Another Eastern tea to meet iced cubes comes from India. The enormously popular Masala Chai, or what many Westerners now refer to as "Chai", is usually offered by cafes and tearooms in an Iced form as well. However, the word "Chai" simply means "tea" in Hindi. So on your next trip to India, make sure you specify "Masala Chai," or you may be rather disappointed (or pleasantly surprised). This is traditionally prepared with cardamom, cinnamon, black peppercorns, clove, milk, sugar and tea, but variations exist based regional recipes.
The coolest Asian import to hit US shores since General Tso's chicken is a quirky cousin of Iced tea called Bubble tea. "Boba" tea, as it is referred to in the Asian community, is quickly becoming one of the biggest sensations among America's youth. A combination of juice, milk, tea and sugar comprise this concoction, finished off with the unique addition of tapioca pearls.
Finally, many creative connoisseurs have developed original drink recipes involving tea. A delicious example combines Spanish Sangria with Chinese green tea. When diluting the iced tea, use a blend of your favorite fruit juices instead of water, add fresh fruit and seltzer. The result is a sweet, scrumptious Iced Tea Sangria. Virtually every trendy Tea Room or upscale bar has some interesting, unique blend involving tea.
Due to its many varieties and incredible versatility, the amount of beverages that can be improved with the simple addition of tea is endless. When selecting your next libation, be brave... try an exotic tea drink. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the delicious and diverse world that tea provides.
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