Conference turris::cooks

�    Does anyone know where I can buy Thai tea? 

       either the Phnomh Penh grocery or South East Asian Import-Export.
       Both are located in central Lowell, near the City Hall.

       /. Ian .\

    You can also buy it by the pound from Bangkok restaurant in Merrimack,
    NH.

    
    
    You can also find it in YEE's Oriental market in Manchester, NH.
    I beleive the store is located on Market street. I picked up a bag
    (approx 1lb) there a couple of weeks ago for around $3.00.
    
    -jjs
    

    re:  .3
    
    Yee's is located at 123 Hanover Street one block up from Elm 
    Street.  Take a right off Elm - its on the right almost on
    the corner of the next block.

    re: .4
    
    Don't try to turn off Elm St. onto Hanover.  You will surely
    get nasty looks from the other drivers, if not a ticket from
    Manchester's finest.  Hanover is one-way that block, headed TOWARD
    Elm.  You'll have to go up Amherst St., turn right onto Chestnut,
    and then left onto Hanover where Yee's will be immediately on
    your right.
    
    Ellen

    
    I'll answer my own question, they sell it at -
    
    Kiengiang  at 105 Water Street
    Worcester Mass
    
    - Larry

    
    I managed to buy the tea last night, and I should mention that the
    name of the store is actually Kien Giang's.  I'm surprised I never
    heard of this store before, it's really quite large and appears to
    have a very varied selection of goods.  I didn't have the time to
    browse so I can't expound on it at the moment.
    
    Anyone have any tips on making iced tea from the Thai tea ?  I used
    1 tbsp per cup to start and seemed a little on the weak side so I'm
    going to increase it to 1 1/2 tbsp and see how that tastes.  What's
    the best method of brewing this tea since it is really pretty fine ?
    
    - Larry

    
    Finally, for all you Thai iced tea afficianados, here's the authentic
    recipe for Thai iced tea - Cha Yen
    
    Note: This recipe calls for Thai tea which is a special Thai blend of 
    black tea leaves flavored with star anise, cinnamon, vanilla, and other
    sweet spices.  It is sold in Asian markets usually labeled as Thai tea.
    A little food coloring gives it it's signature terra-cotta hue. I 
    purchased my Thai tea at Joyce Chen's in Acton Ma.
    
    4 cups water
    3/4 cup Thai tea
    1 1/2 cups Sugar Syrup (recipe follows)
    Crushed ice
    1 to 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk or half & half (3-4 Tbsps per glass)
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sugar Syrup
    
    I believe this is the same thing as simple syrup.  Anyways,  it's made
    by combining 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water, bring to boil and boil for 
    approx 5 minutes, allow to cool.  This makes about 1 1/3 cups of syrup.
    
    The Thais like their iced tea super sweet, so you may be able to use
    less than the 1 1/2 cups of sugar syrup called for in the recipe if 
    you'd like a less sweet tea.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cha Yen:
    
    In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil and place a 
    heatproof 1-quart pitcher in the sink.  When the water boils, add the 
    tea and remove the pan from the heat.  The tea will float to the top
    until you stir gently to coax it into the water.  When all the tea 
    leaves are wet, let steep for 3 minutes.
    
     Pour the contents of the saucepan into the pitcher, and don't worry if
    the dregs are left behind.  Pour the tea back and forth between the
    pitcher and the saucepan 7 times as it becomes darker and stronger,
    ending up with the tea in the saucepan.  Rinse out the pitcher and 
    strain the tea through a coffee filter back into the pitcher.  Add the 
    syrup and stir to dissolve.  Cool to room temperature, cover, and chill
    until serving time.  
    
     To serve, fill tall glasses with crushed ice.  Add 3/4 cup of the 
    chilled Thai tea per glass.  Top off each glass with 3 to 4 tablespoons
    evaporated milk.  Serve as the milk cascades over the ice and swirls
    into the tea.
    
     Serves 4 to 6.  (The tea-syrup mixture will keep in the refrigerator
    for 1 week).
    
    	

    
    I tried the Thai iced tea recipe last night, I doubled the quantities.
    
    Having lived in Thailand for a year, I must say this recipe is right on
    the money and tastes _exactly_ like the iced tea we used to get in 
    Thailand.   When you serve this tea, serve it _cold_ with lots of 
    crushed ice.  Be forewarned, Thai iced tea has a really different 
    flavor and doesn't taste like conventional iced tea. It may take a
    little getting used to.  
    
    If you like Thai iced tea, you owe it to yourself to try this recipe.
    
    Regards, Larry

    
    One more note, I would definitely cut down on the amount of sugar
    syrup used in the recipe.  Try cutting it in half, and taking it
    from there.  I find the full amount is just too sweet.
    
    Lv