Green Tea vs. Thai Tea
Green Tea
Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike black or oolong teas, green tea is made by heating the leaves soon after picking to prevent oxidation. This keeps the leaves green and gives the tea its fresh, grassy taste. It originally came from China but is now popular across East Asia, especially in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. There are many kinds of green tea, depending on where it's grown, how it's processed, and when it's harvested. For example, Japan’s sencha is steamed, giving it a bright green color and a sweet flavor, while China’s longjing is pan-fired, making it more toasty and mellow. Making a cup is simple: just steep the leaves in hot water, but not boiling—usually around 70–80°C (160–175°F)—for a couple of minutes. If the water is too hot or you steep it too long, the tea can taste bitter. Green tea has been linked to many health claims, but the evidence is mixed. It does have some caffeine, though less than coffee, and contains a...
Thai Tea
Thai tea is a sweet, creamy drink made from strong black tea, usually Ceylon or a local version of Assam. It’s brewed with sugar and often flavored with condensed milk, giving it that rich, smooth taste and signature orange color. When served cold, it’s poured over ice, sometimes with a splash of evaporated milk on top for that creamy swirl. In Thailand, you’ll find it in tall glasses at restaurants or in plastic cups or bags from street vendors. Some places even turn it into a blended drink, like a frappé. There are variations too—like a version without milk called “dark Thai iced tea,” or one with lime for a citrusy kick. People drink it hot in the mornings as well, often with fried dough sticks.
Reviews
Reviewed on 3/2/2024
Too much caffeine for me :(
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/23/2025
The Thai staple. What can be better than a cold iced tea on a hot afternoon in Chiang Mai? Although they often make them too sweet so I always ask for no added sugar.
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Delicious and refreshing | 2 |
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Really sweet | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Tea is non-oxidized and is known for its health benefits, although some users find it to have too much caffeine. Thai Tea, on the other hand, is a popular cold beverage in Thailand, praised for being delicious and refreshing. However, it is often criticized for being too sweet. The choice between the two depends on your preference for caffeine content and sweetness.
Green Tea typically has more caffeine compared to Thai Tea. For those sensitive to caffeine, Thai Tea might be a better option, though it is often very sweet.
Thai Tea is often considered better for a hot day due to its cold and refreshing nature. It's a popular choice in Thailand for cooling down during hot afternoons. Green Tea, while healthy, is usually consumed hot and might not be as refreshing in hot weather.
Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is produced by heating the leaves soon after picking to prevent oxidation, which keeps the leaves green and gives the tea its fresh, grassy taste. Originating from China, green tea is now popular across East Asia, particularly in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
There are many kinds of green tea, depending on where it's grown, how it's processed, and when it's harvested. For example, Japan’s sencha is steamed, resulting in a bright green color and a sweet flavor, while China’s longjing is pan-fired, giving it a more toasty and mellow taste.
Making a cup of green tea is simple: steep the leaves in hot water, ideally around 70–80°C (160–175°F), for a couple of minutes. It's important not to use boiling water or steep it for too long, as this can make the tea taste bitter.
Green tea has been linked to various health claims, although the evidence is mixed. It contains some caffeine, less than coffee, and is rich in antioxidants called catechins. Many people drink it for its taste, potential focus-enhancing effects, or simply for the ritual of making it.
Pros of green tea include its rich antioxidant content and potential health benefits. However, some individuals may find that it contains too much caffeine for their liking, as noted in user reviews.
Some users enjoy green tea for its taste and health benefits, while others have expressed concerns about its caffeine content. For example, one user mentioned, 'Too much caffeine for me :('.
Thai tea is a sweet, creamy drink made from strong black tea, usually Ceylon or a local version of Assam. It’s brewed with sugar and often flavored with condensed milk, giving it that rich, smooth taste and signature orange color. When served cold, it’s poured over ice, sometimes with a splash of evaporated milk on top for that creamy swirl. In Thailand, you’ll find it in tall glasses at restaurants or in plastic cups or bags from street vendors.
The pros of Thai Tea include its delicious and refreshing taste, making it a popular choice, especially on hot afternoons. However, a con is that it can be really sweet, which may not appeal to everyone.
Thai Tea is typically served cold over ice, often with a splash of evaporated milk on top for a creamy swirl. It can also be enjoyed hot, especially in the mornings, often paired with fried dough sticks.
There are several variations of Thai Tea, including a version without milk called 'dark Thai iced tea' and one with lime for a citrusy kick. Some places even offer it as a blended drink, like a frappé.
Users have described Thai Tea as a staple drink, particularly enjoying it on hot afternoons. One user mentioned that while it is delicious, they often request no added sugar as it can be made too sweet.