Thai iced coffee has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike, and it's not uncommon to find this drink on the menu of an authentic Thai restaurant.
Traditionally brewed, Thai coffee is made with oliang, a blend of robusta coffee, brown sugar, and grains such as corn, soybeans, rice, or sesame. Oliang (also spelled "oleang") is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee and beans while they sit in a cloth bag and steep.
Black coffee produced through this process is often too bitter, and for that reason, to counteract the overly strong coffee flavor, sweetened condensed milk is added to the drink. It is usually served in a glass filled with ice cubes.
When we say it's a spiced coffee, it means that this coffee is flavored with warm spices, which enhances its appeal. Freshly ground cardamom is added directly to the ground coffee, which is then brewed directly into the coffee.
This elevates the coffee to a new level of flavor. In addition to cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg are added to this coffee. They are added in powder form when brewing the iced coffee, creating small nuances of flavor in your drink.
Thai coffee at home
You will need:
- 6 tablespoons of strong, freshly ground coffee, prepared to make 4 cups
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 12 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of almond extract
- Crushed ice
Instructions:
- Before brewing, mix the coffee with the cardamom powder and add it to your coffee machine. This will allow the spice to integrate into the liquid. Brew 4 cups of coffee and let it cool until lukewarm.
- In a measuring cup with a spout, add the sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and almond extract. Mix with a spoon or whisk until completely smooth. Set the mixture aside.
- Take 4 tall glasses and divide the ice evenly between them.
- Pour 1 cup of coffee into each glass, followed by equal amounts of the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Stir with a whisk or spoon to combine the thickened milk with the coffee. The iced coffee should have a thicker consistency than an Americano iced coffee.
- Serve immediately with additional spices on top for garnish if desired.
- Enjoy your coffee.
What is the difference between Thai coffee and Vietnamese coffee?
Although they come from different countries, Thai and Vietnamese coffee are often confused with each other.
Both drinks use similar ingredients—coffee and condensed milk—but the biggest difference between Thai and Vietnamese coffee lies in the coffee itself. As mentioned above, the oliang used to make traditional Thai coffee is a combination of ground coffee, spices, sugar, and beans, while Vietnamese coffee is typically made with regular ground coffee.
Preparation methods also distinguish the two, as Vietnamese coffee is typically filtered through a metal pour-over called a “phin,” while its Thai counterpart is filtered through a muslin bag called a “tungdtom.”
As with many recipes originating elsewhere, Thai coffee has been slightly modified or "Westernized." For example, you'll find that many recipes call for instant coffee granules instead of oliang. These changes still make a delicious drink, but it probably won't taste exactly like a cup you'd buy from a coffee vendor in Thailand.