Thai iced coffee has become an increasingly popular drink around the world in recent years. With its sweet, creamy flavor and beautiful presentation, it’s easy to see why more and more people are becoming Thai iced coffee fanatics. But what exactly makes Thai iced coffee so uniquely delicious? Here we’ll explore the origins, ingredients, preparation methods, and culinary qualities that make Thai iced coffee such an iconic beverage.
The Origins of Thai Iced Coffee
While iced coffee has been consumed in various forms for over a century, Thai iced coffee is a relatively recent invention. The drink as we know it today traces its roots back to the mid-20th century in Thailand.
Coffee was first introduced to Thailand in the late 1800s during the reign of King Rama V. However, it did not become widely popular until the 1960s and 1970s when Thailand’s economy began to rapidly modernize. During this time, coffee shops proliferated and iced coffee emerged as a popular menu item.
Early Thai iced coffee was relatively simple, composed of strong black coffee served chilled with ice. Over time, Thai coffee vendors started adding sweetened condensed milk, transforming iced coffee into the sweeter, creamier drink we are familiar with today. The use of conden
Key Ingredients
Thai iced coffee derives its signature taste from just a few key ingredients:
- Strong brewed coffee
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Ice
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these components contributes to the drink.
Strong Brewed Coffee
A good Thai iced coffee starts with freshly brewed, high-quality coffee. Traditionally, Thai iced coffee is made using Oliang coffee beans harvested from the mountainous regions of northern Thailand. Oliang beans yield an extremely bold, thick coffee with a straight-up black coffee flavor.
The coffee used in Thai iced coffee is brewed strong—often double the strength of a typical Western-style coffee. This intense coffee concentrate provides the base for the drink. The robust, highly caffeinated coffee ensures the flavor holds its own against the sweetened condensed milk.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk is responsible for Thai iced coffee’s velvety texture and sweet nutty flavor. Traditional Asian-style sweetened condensed milk provides the ideal thickness and sweetness to perfectly complement the strong coffee.
Condensed milk is made by removing 60% of the water from regular milk and adding sugar. The sugar prevents the milk from spoiling. The resulting thick, syrupy milk adds a rich sweet creaminess that tames the bitterness of the coffee.
Ice
Lastly, ice is an essential component of Thai iced coffee. While you can enjoy Thai coffee hot, pouring it over ice transforms the drink into a refreshing, rejuvenating treat perfect for sweltering Thai afternoons.
The ice mellows the coffee’s intensity and allows the sweetened condensed milk’s flavor to come through. As the ice melts, the coffee gradually becomes cooler and lighter bodied while retaining its concentration of flavor. The ice also contributes to the drink’s striking visual appeal.
Preparation Methods
One factor that distinguishes Thai iced coffee is the unique brewing and serving process. Traditional Thai iced coffee is made using a two-stage filtering brewing method. The coffee and condensed milk are prepared separately then artfully assembled before serving.
Brewing the Coffee
To make Thai iced coffee, coarse ground coffee beans are placed in a mesh filter or French press. Boiling water is poured over the grounds to thoroughly extract the coffee oils and essence.
The initial brew is then poured through a second filter, typically a very fine cloth filter, to remove any remaining grounds. This double filtered coffee concentrate delivers incredibly bold, intense flavor.
Preparing the Condensed Milk
While the coffee brews, the sweetened condensed milk is portioned out. To achieve the signature swirl effect, the condensed milk is stirred lightly before pouring to incorporate a bit of air.
Assembly and Presentation
To assemble the Thai iced coffee, ice is placed in the serving glass. The condensed milk is carefully poured over the back of a spoon to gently float it over the ice. Finally, the fresh brewed coffee is slowly added. The contrasting dark coffee and white milk create a visually striking marbled effect.
The coffee is typically served with the filtering cloth still attached to the serving vessel. This allows drinkers to control the strength of their coffee by stopping the filtering when the desired intensity is reached.
Qualities that Make it Special
Now that we’ve explored its main components and brewing process, let’s discuss what truly sets Thai iced coffee apart in terms of taste experience and culinary qualities.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors
The combination of bold coffee and sweet creamy condensed milk is flawlessly balanced. The flavors complement one another instead of competing. The intense coffee taste doesn’t overpower the sweetness, while the rich condensed milk prevents the coffee from tasting too bitter or acidic.
Refreshing
Though rich and sweet, Thai iced coffee is ultimately refreshing. The iced temperature and light dilution from melted ice makes it easy to sip and revitalizing. It’s no wonder it became so popular in Thailand’s tropical climate.
Fun Textures
Drinking a well-constructed Thai iced coffee is an experience for the mouth and eyes. The ice and liquid condensed milk add intriguing temperatures and textures that change as you drink. The colliding dark and white colors are also visually exciting.
Customizable
You can tailor Thai iced coffee to your personal tastes. Control the strength and dilution by stopping the brewing early or adding more ice. Adjust sweetness by using more or less condensed milk. The recipe is highly customizable.
Adaptable
While traditional Thai iced coffee is made with Oliang beans, you can use just about any strong, dark roasted coffee. It can be enjoyed hot or iced. Condensed milk can be substituted with milk and sugar. Thus, Thai iced coffee is highly adaptable while retaining its essential character.
Where to Find Authentic Thai Iced Coffee
If you have the opportunity to visit Thailand, tasting authentic, traditional Thai iced coffee should be on your bucket list. For a truly immersive culinary experience, head to one of these spots legendary for their Thai iced coffee:
Roast Bangkok
This cozy, artisanal cafe serves Thai iced coffee made with high-quality arabica beans roasted in-house and UHT buffalo milk from Chiang Rai. The beautifully crafted drinks and warm, welcoming atmosphere make this a must-visit Bangkok coffee shop.
Akha Ama Cafe
Located in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand, this cafe brews Thai iced coffee using Oliang beans harvested from their own sustainable hill tribe farms. The coffee is filtered through wild Thai cotton resulting in a clean, smooth flavor.
Lahu Coffee
This remote cafe located within a Lahu hill tribe village in Chiang Rai provides an opportunity to taste authentic Thai iced coffee in its original cultural context. They roast and grind their own coffee beans and use fresh local cow’s milk.
How to Make Thai Iced Coffee at Home
While nothing quite compares to sipping Thai iced coffee in Thailand, you can make a delicious version at home. Here is a simple recipe to brew the perfect Thai iced coffee:
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Thai ground coffee or dark roasted coarse ground coffee
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the ground coffee with 1 cup of water. Heat over medium until just before boiling. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour the coffee through a filter into a glass or jar. For a smoother result, filter a second time through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
- Add the condensed milk and ice to a tall glass. Slowly pour coffee over the ice.
- Gently stir 3-4 times to allow the flavors to blend. Enjoy immediately.
For the most authentic results, use high quality dark roast coffee beans with a strong, smoky flavor. You can also experiment with adding cardamom, star anise, orange blossom water, or other spices to the brew for extra complexity.
Part of the thrill of Thai iced coffee is the theater of the preparation method. Try assembling the components in front of guests tableside for an interactive experience.
Global Popularity
While Thai iced coffee has its roots in Thailand, its popularity has spread across the world over the past couple decades. You can now find Thai iced coffee on many Asian restaurant menus and coffee shop chalkboards.
The global appeal stems from its crave-able taste and photogenic aesthetic. Its sweetness makes it more palatable and approachable than black iced coffee. The striking presentation creates an unforgettable drinking experience that people love to share on social media.
As the drink gains exposure through travel, cafes, and online recipes, more people are falling in love with Thai iced coffee’s distinctive charms. It has truly become one of the world’s favorite iced coffee styles.
Health Benefits
Beyond being delicious, Thai iced coffee offers several health benefits. Let’s look at some of the potential wellness perks of enjoying this drink in moderation.
Energy Boost
A standard serving of Thai iced coffee contains around 2-3 shots of espresso worth of caffeine. This provides a clean energy boost without the sugar crash of other caffeinated beverages. The combination of coffee and chilled temperature is refreshing and instantly rejuvenating.
Supports Metabolism
The caffeine in Thai iced coffee may help boost your metabolism, promoting weight loss. Caffeine has been shown to enhance thermogenesis, which increases calories burned.
Source of Antioxidants
Coffee is chock full of powerful antioxidants that combat inflammation and cellular damage. Studies suggest these compounds may offer protection against chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and neurological conditions.
Rich in Nutrients
The sweetened condensed milk provides protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients. Add a splash of vitamin D fortified milk and you have an energizing, mineral-rich drink.
Potential Downsides
While delicious, Thai iced coffee should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Here are some potential downsides to watch out for:
High in Calories
A 12 oz Thai iced coffee can pack 300 calories or more once you account for the sweetened condensed milk. For weight loss, avoid excessive consumption.
High in Sugar
The typical Thai iced coffee contains 25-30g of sugar, mostly coming from the sweetened condensed milk. Those watching their sugar intake may want to use reduced sugar or regular milk.
Caffeine Sensitivities
Thai iced coffee provides a big dose of caffeine, which may cause jitters, anxiety, and insomnia issues if consumed in excess or late in the day. Those with caffeine sensitivities should enjoy in moderation.
Masks Alcohol
Mixing Thai iced coffee with alcohol is a popular trend. However, the coffee may mask the intoxicating effects of alcohol, increasing risk of overconsumption.
Pregnant women should avoid Thai iced coffee entirely due to the caffeine content.
Thai Iced Coffee around the World
Let’s look at some of the most popular variations of Thai iced coffee found internationally:
| Country | Local Thai Iced Coffee Style |
|---|---|
| United States | Uses espresso instead of strong brewed coffee. Often served with whipped cream on top. |
| Australia | Made with ice cream instead of ice for a float-like texture. |
| Philippines | Brewed using local barako coffee beans. Condensed milk is sometimes replaced with fresh milk. |
| Vietnam | Includes egg yolk whipped with condensed milk for a rich, frothy top layer. |
| China | Spiked with whiskey and often blended for a boozy, slushy-like treat. |
No matter where you travel, keep an eye out for unique regional twists on Thai iced coffee. The possibilities are endless!
In Closing
From its uniquely balanced flavors to gorgeous presentation to rejuvenating properties, Thai iced coffee is truly in a league of its own. We hope this guide shed light on why this drink is so beloved across the globe. While tricky to completely replicate at home, anyone can whip up a basic version to get a taste of its charm.
Still not convinced Thai iced coffee is worth the hype? We suggest tracking down an authentic local cafe on your next trip and sampling it for yourself. One sip of the expertly brewed layers of flavors will leave you craving more. Soy haip khun (cheers) to Thai iced coffee!