Being especially popular in Southern Asia, as well as in a number of American restaurants specializing in Vietnamese or Thai food, Thai iced tea differs greatly from bubble tea - an East Asian and Southeast beverage which contains big black pearls of tapioca starch. Currently this tea variation is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, as more and more consumers find pleasant and exciting to sip this unique and delicious beverage. Thus, among the most famous variation is Arizona iced tea, produced by the Arizona Beverage Company.

There generally exist two styles of Thai iced tea served with or without milk. Thai iced tea with milk is known as Cha Yen, while that without milk is called Cha Dum Yen. While staying in Thailand, you'll be attracted by small tea and coffee shops, sprinkled all over the country. However, unlike Europeans and Americans, Thai people enjoy iced tea mostly on the go, taking it with them in small plastic bags with straws sticking out. Some of the most popular Thai iced tea variations include Dark Thai iced tea, served chilled and sweetened with sugar only without milk, and hot Thai iced tea, enjoyed by many Thais in the morning with Yau ja gawk.

A real favorite in Thailand, Thai iced tea doesn't require much effort to be prepared at home. Listed below are some of the most popular recipes that will allow enjoying your favorite tea at home in a way, like it is enjoyed in Thailand.

Thus, to make Cha Dum Yen you need 1-2 tablespoons of Thai tea, 2 tablespoons of sugar and a cup of hot water. Add sugar to a cup or glass, put then one tablespoon of Thai tea to a tea sock, placing it directly above the glass. The next step is to pour hot water into a tea sock, stir until the sugar is dissolved and add ice. The tea must be drunk hot.

Another popular variation, Original Thai iced tea is preferable in East Asia. To make it you'll have to boil eight cups of water, place ten tablespoons of tea mix in a large pot, pour boiling water over the tea and leave it for five minutes. The next step is to strain the tea into the second pitcher by using a strainer that removes most of the loose tea. Then you should use the stainless filter or a coffee filter for filtering it back into the rinsed pitcher. At least one cup of sugar should be added, as Thai iced tea is served very sweet. Stir the mixture, let cool and place then in the fridge. Finally, chilled tea should be poured over crushed ice and topped with evaporated milk.

Becoming fast an American sensation, Thai Style Bubble Tea, known also as Pearl Tea, is a unique beverage that involves sucking tapioca pearls through a large straw. To make it you need two cups of Thai ice tea, 1.5 cups of sugar, 1 cup of mint leaves, 1.5 cups of tapioca pearls, one cup of fresh milk and large straws.

Thai iced tea must be placed in stainless tea filter and in a large pot with eight cups of gently boiling water. Keep the mixture over medium heat for about an hour, removing then tea and filling pot with eight cups of water. Cool tea should be poured in a pitcher and left in the fridge. For the syrup you have to combine 4 cups of water, mint leaves and sugar, bring it to boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. The pearls must be cooked for half an hour, placed into a storage container and mixed with the syrup.