Have you tried the Thai Lime Tea known as Cha Manao? This bright, citrusy alternative to traditional Thai Tea uses the same Thai tea blend but combines it with sugar and a splash of lime for a supremely refreshing twist.
While sweet and creamy Thai Iced Tea enjoys most of the spotlight in the U.S., the Thai Lime Tea known as Cha Manao is equally beloved in Thailand. In fact, this refreshing version of Thai tea is a staple all throughout the country, from night markets to school cafeterias. Its bright, fresh citrus flavor pairs so well with just about every Thai food you can think of.
Fortunately this refreshingly sweet and sour version of Thai tea is quick and easy to make. You start by steeping Thai tea mix with water, then adding sugar. Once this sweet tea has cooled, add freshly squeezed lime juice and pour over a glassful of ice. Even with all of the amazing options for Thai drinks, it's hard to imagine a more refreshing, delightful drink than Cha Manao.
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Why You'll Love Thai Lime Tea
- Easy to Make: Thai Lime Tea is simple to make. Simply brew Thai tea with sugar, let it cool, add fresh lime juice, and pour over ice for a refreshing drink.
- Fewer Calories: Thai Lime Tea has fewer calories than Thai Iced Tea since it doesn’t include sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, or half and half cream.
- Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of Thai tea mix, sugar, and lime juice is incredibly refreshing on hot summer days or when paired with spicy Thai meals.
What does Cha Manao mean?
Cha (ชา) is the Thai word for tea, and Manao (มะนาว) is the Thai word for lime. Cha Manao, then, translates to "Thai lime tea" or "Thai tea with lime". For more Thai culinary words, see this handy HOW TO: Interpret a Thai Menu guide.
Ingredients
- Thai Tea Mix: To achieve the iconic taste of Thai tea, you need to start with Thai Tea Mix. This is a blend of black tea leaves, various flavorings including vanilla, and yellow food coloring. The two most popular brands of Thai Tea Mix are Cha Tra Mue and Pantai, both of which can be purchased online.
- Water: The tea mix is brewed in hot water.
- Sugar: White granulated sugar adds sweetness and provides balance for the sour lime juice.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice provides that burst of citrusy brightness. Some vendors in Thailand will substitute lime powder, or use a combination of lime powder and lime juice. However, you can't go wrong with pure freshly squeezed lime juice.
Equipment
- Tea Sock Filter: Because the tea leaves in the Thai tea mix are so fine, it's important to use a very fine filter to remove all of the residue. A tea sock filter is traditionally used in Thailand. You could alternatively use a paper coffee filter to remove all of the small particles after brewing the tea.
How to Make Cha Manao
Step 1: Bring water to a boil, then turn the heat off. Add the Thai tea mix and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.1
Step 2: Pour the tea mixture through your tea sock filter to remove the tea leaves. Place the strained tea in the refrigerator until cool.
Step 3: Add freshly squeezed lime juice to the cool tea.2 Stir thoroughly to incorporate.
Step 4: Pour the Thai Lime Tea over a glassful of ice. Garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
NOTES:
- We don't want to steep the Thai tea for very long in this recipe. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more bitter the tea flavor. A stronger, more bitter tea flavor works in Cha Yen because the added milk helps to counterbalance it.
- It's important to add the lime juice to the tea once it has cooled, as heating lime juice can make it taste bitter and turn the tea cloudy.
Variations
There are many versions of Thai tea served in Thailand. Sweet Thai tea served over ice is known as Cha Dam Yen (ชาดำเย็น) or Black Thai Tea. Thai tea can also be served hot, in a version known as Cha Ron (ชาร้อน).
The most popular version of Thai tea is known as Thai Iced Tea or Cha Yen (ชาเย็น). This drink is chilled and sweetened Thai tea mixed with some variety of milk and served over ice. You can also add boba to Thai Iced Tea to make Thai Boba Tea. Thai Lime Tea or Cha Manao (ชามะนาว) presented here is another popular version of this iconic drink.
Storage
You can store Thai Lime Tea in the refrigerator for approximately 3-4 days before the lime juice will lose its freshness. Another option to ensure maximum freshness is to keep the sweetened Thai tea in the refrigerator, and add the lime juice to your glass just before serving.
Cha Manao FAQs
In Thai, Cha means tea, Manao means lime, and Yen means cold. Put together, it refers to this refreshingly sweet and sour drink made of brewed Thai tea with sugar and fresh lime juice served over ice.
Thai tea mix is made of black tea leaves, various flavorings including vanilla, and yellow food coloring. Each manufacturer of Thai tea has their own proprietary recipe for this mix. Once brewed with water, Thai tea can be made various ways, including mixing it with sugar and milk to make Cha Yen or mixing it with sugar and fresh lime juice to make Cha Manao.
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Recipe
Thai Lime Tea (Cha Manao)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup Thai tea mix
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 Tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Brew the Tea: Bring water to a boil in a small pot. Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat. Add the Thai tea mix and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.1
- Strain the Tea: Pour the tea mixture through your tea sock filter to remove the tea leaves and other fine particle residue. Place the strained tea in the refrigerator until it is completely chilled.2, 3
- Add Lime Juice and Serve: Add freshly squeezed lime juice to the cool tea.4 Stir to thoroughly incorporate. Pour the Thai Lime Tea over a glassful of ice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You don't want to leave the tea to steep for very long, as it will become stronger and more bitter the longer it steeps. This is different from Cha Yen, where you want a very strong tea so that it doesn't become too dilute once milk is added.
- If you're in a hurry, you could alternatively add some ice to the tea to help it cool faster. Just be aware that adding ice will dilute the tea flavor.
- You can save the sweetened chilled Thai tea in the refrigerator like this. Before you're ready to serve the drink, you can add the lime juice for maximal freshness.
- The tea needs to be cool when you're adding the lime juice, as heat breaks down lime juice and makes it become more bitter and cloudy.
Rachel
So refreshing! I love this version of Thai tea.