Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting allure of homemade Thai Iced Tea with a fun boba twist – “Cha Yen Boba”! Imagine a stunning, sunset-orange elixir, rich with the aroma of exotic spices, boasting a velvety, sweet creaminess, and now with the delightful chewiness of boba pearls.
Prep Time: 10 mins (includes starting boba)
Total Time: 30-35 mins (includes tea steeping, boba cooking, and cooling time)
Servings: 2 large
Ingredients:
For the Boba Pearls:
- 1/2 cup Quick-Cooking Tapioca Pearls (boba)
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar or Granulated Sugar, for a light syrup (optional)
- 2 tbsp Water, for light syrup (optional)
For the Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen):
- 1/2 cup Thai Tea Mix, loose leaf (e.g., Cha Tra Mue brand or similar, known for its orange color)
- 4 cups Hot Water, just off the boil (around 200°F or 93°C)
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar (adjust if making boba syrup)
- 1/4 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk, plus more for drizzling if desired
- 1/4 cup Evaporated Milk, (or half-and-half/whole milk) for topping
- Lots of Ice Cubes
Instructions:
- Cook Boba Pearls: Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Add the tapioca pearls and stir gently until they float to the surface. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook according to package directions (usually 5-7 minutes for quick-cooking type), stirring occasionally.
- Rest Boba: Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the boba pearls sit in the hot water, covered, for another 5-10 minutes.
- Sweeten Boba (Optional): While boba rests, if you want lightly sweetened boba, combine the 2 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl. Drain the cooked boba and add them to this simple syrup, stirring gently. Let them soak while you prepare the tea. Alternatively, the boba will absorb sweetness from the Thai tea itself.
- Brew the Tea: Place the Thai tea mix into a large heatproof pitcher or a tea sock/infuser. Pour the 4 cups of hot water over the tea leaves.
- Steep to Perfection: Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes. Avoid over-steeping, as it can make the tea bitter.
- Strain the Tea: Carefully strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into another pitcher or bowl.
- Sweeten Tea While Hot: While the tea is still hot, add the 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust down if you made a sweet syrup for boba and prefer less overall sweetness) and the sweetened condensed milk. Stir well until both are completely dissolved.
- Cool Completely: Allow the sweetened tea mixture to cool to room temperature. For a quicker cool-down, place the pitcher in an ice bath.
- Assemble Your Drink: Divide the cooked boba pearls (and any syrup) between two tall glasses.
- Add Ice: Fill the glasses generously with ice cubes over the boba.
- Pour the Tea: Pour the cooled Thai tea mixture over the ice and boba, filling the glasses about three-quarters full.
- Add Creamy Topping: Gently pour about 2 tablespoons of evaporated milk (or your milk of choice) over the top of each glass.
- Serve and Enjoy: Add a boba straw, give it a gentle stir, and sip your delicious, homemade Thai Iced Tea with boba immediately!
Recipe Notes:
- The Right Tea Mix: Using an authentic Thai tea mix (like Cha Tra Mue brand) is crucial for the signature flavor, aroma, and vibrant orange color.
- Boba Freshness: Boba pearls are best enjoyed within a few hours of cooking for optimal chewiness.
- Sweetness Customization: Thai Iced Tea is traditionally quite sweet. Adjust sugar in the tea and for the boba syrup to your preference.
- Creamy Topping Options: Evaporated milk is traditional. Half-and-half or whole milk are good alternatives.
- Brewing Wisdom: Don’t squeeze the tea leaves when straining to avoid bitterness.
- Make Ahead Tea Base: The sweetened tea base can be made ahead and refrigerated. Cook boba and assemble just before serving.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based sweetened condensed milk (like coconut) and a creamy plant-based milk (oat, coconut) for topping. Use sugar for boba.
There you have it – an incredibly vibrant, refreshingly sweet, wonderfully spiced, and delightfully chewy Thai Iced Tea with Boba! This Cha Yen Boba recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a cafe favorite at home, perfect for satisfying those cravings for something exotic and fun. We hope you love this enhanced treat! Happy brewing and sipping!
