How to Make Cha Yen

Serves: 4-6

Preparation time:5 mins

Cooking time:10 mins

Ingredients needed to make Cha Yen:

For the sugar syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

For the cha yen:

• 1 ½ cups sugar syrup
• ¾ cup Thai tea
• 1 ½ cups half and half or evaporated milk
• 4 cups water
• Crushed ice

Cooking instructions for Cha Yen:

• To make the syrup, pour the water into a saucepan and stir in the sugar.
• Heat the mixture over high flame, stirring constantly, until it begins to boil vigorously.
• Reduce it to a simmer and continue to do so for 5 more minutes, stirring constantly, until the syrup thickens and the colour changes slightly.
• Turn off the heat and let it rest to cool completely.
• Transfer it into a jar and place a tight-fitting lid on top.
• Set aside in the fridge until necessary.
• To make the cha yen. Pour water in a medium saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil.
• Spoon in the tea and turn off the heat immediately.
• Stir the tea into the mixture and let it rest for 3 minutes to steep.
• Pour the tea into a 1-quart pitcher and return it back into the saucepan.
• Continue this process for 7 times or until the tea becomes stronger and turns darker in colour.
• Pour the tea through a strainer, into a coffee filter and stir in the prepared syrup until they blend thoroughly.
• Set aside to cool completely, place a lid on top to secure and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours to chill.
• Fill half of each tall glass with crushed ice and pour in the chilled tea until ¾ of it is full.
• Pour 4 tbsp of half and half on top of each tall glass and serve chilled.

 Image credit: Wikimedia Commons