Does Thai Tea Have Caffeine?

Thai milk tea is a delicious drink that has a creamy, sweet texture and taste. Plus, its fragrance is something out of this world. 

However, since it has the word “tea” in its name, you may be wondering, “Does Thai tea have caffeine?” 

The answer is YES. This beloved, sweet and creamy beverage contains anything from 20 to 60 mg of caffeine per serving size.

That said, this differs significantly based on the type of tea you’re drinking. 

For instance, whether it is black tea or Thai iced tea, as well as its cooking methods, too. 

Thai iced tea or coffee typically contains tea leaves, however, you may find additional ingredients such as soybeans, sesame seeds, or a maize sauce.

With this in mind, this guide will explore everything you need to know about Thai milk tea and whether or not it contains caffeine. 

Let’s get started. 

What Is Thai Tea?

Thai tea, otherwise known as Thai iced tea, is essentially a spiced and iced variety of black tea. It is incredibly popular in Thailand and various surrounding countries. 

Thanks to its range of spices, it has a distinctive orange-red color. These spices include cardamom, star anise, and tamarind seeds, as well as red food coloring, too. 

You can prepare this traditional drink using Thai tea bags or loose black tea leaves. Plus, the caffeinated beverage can be served either hot or cold. 

Before chilling Thai tea, evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk is combined with the sugar. This gives it its iconic creamy layer. 

Typically, you’ll notice hints of nutty overtones, earthy undertones, and a sweet aftertaste with this flavorful cup. You need to drink thai tea!

While the ingredients can vary significantly, it is generally made using a Thai tea mix – which can either be prepared at home or purchased from a Thai restaurant with just enough caffeine.

What Are The Main Ingredients Of Thai Tea And Their Benefits?

The main ingredients of Thai Tea include milk, flavorings, and black tea.

In addition to this, you may find sweeteners, including condensed milk or sugar, as well as other spices including tamarind, star anise, vanilla, and cardamom. 

Some additional ingredients you may find to achieve the desired flavor profile include natural alternatives – such as saffron and butterfly pea flower – and food coloring. 

The beauty of Thai tea is that it is a great source of antioxidants – helping to promote overall health and help reduce cell damage. 

It is also said to contain beneficial compounds that have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

In addition to this, black tea is known to contain caffeine – making it ideal for anyone looking for a natural boost of energy. 

Other ingredients, such as flavorings and milk, provide additional health benefits, including B vitamins, protein, and calcium. 

How Much Caffeine Is In Thai Milk Tea?

Generally speaking, Thai tea contains around 45-55 mg of caffeine per 8 oz serving. Depending on the recipe used, this figure can vary slightly. 

If you’re comparing this with coffee, coffee contains around 125-150g of caffeine – making Thai tea a better option for those looking to consume less caffeine. 

Below, we have compared the caffeine content of Thai tea with other caffeinated drinks. 

• Red Bull – This is a popular energy drink on the market and is a favorite among many. A 250 ml can – which is equivalent to around 8.5 Oz – contains around 80 mg of caffeine. Therefore, Red Bull contains twice as much caffeine as Thai tea. 
• Coke – An 12 oz can of Coke contains 34 mg of caffeine. Therefore, an 8 oz drink will give you 23 mg of caffeine. Therefore, the caffeine content in Coke is a lot lower than in Thai tea. 

Unlike Coke or Redbull, you shouldn’t experience any side effects related to natural caffeine when ingesting the drink.

Therefore, regardless of the caffeine content in hot Thai tea, you can enjoy it guilt-free — you don’t have to worry about drinking this traditional beverage with too much caffeine.

Does Thai Tea Contain More Caffeine Than Coffee?

No, generally speaking, Thai tea typically contains less caffeine than coffee. For instance, typically, a cup of Thai tea will contain anywhere from 10-70 mg of caffeine. 

This is significantly smaller when you compare it to an 8 oz cup of freshly brewed coffee which usually contains 95-200 mg of caffeine. 

That said, you should keep in mind that some versions of Thai tea contain sugar and condensed milk – adding additional calories to the refreshing drink. 

If you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake, then you can steep the black tea for a shorter amount of time. 

However, Thai tea is a great option for anyone looking to get a boost of energy while enjoying all the drink’s nutritional benefits. 

The best part? There are tons of flavors and varieties available – so everyone can find their perfect brew! 

Just remember that the amount of caffeine in your drink is dependent on how it is prepared. Therefore, check the drink’s label for more information. 

What Does Thai Tea Taste Like?

Thai tea can easily be made at home where you can adjust it to your preferences. What you’ll be left with is something that has a sweet and creamy flavor.

The drink itself is made with rich black tea which contains a distinctive tannin taste thanks to the star anise.

Additionally, it contains caffeine consumption a lot of creamy dairy which makes a flavorful drink.

Likewise, this means it has a heavier consistency, too – making it similar to a milkshake. 

This flavored tea can be accommodated to the individual’s taste. Therefore, whether you’re looking for something with vanilla or something a little spicy – the choice is up to you! 

Final Thoughts

Thai tea makes for a delicious and utterly irresistible sweet drink. It is made using cream or milk and black or green tea leaves, for a unique flavor.

As such, Thai tea does in fact contain caffeine. Despite this, it’s content is a lot smaller than coffee so you don’t have to worry about any unexpected energy spikes. 

So if you are trying to avoid caffeine entirely, you would be recommended to look at alternatives.

Hopefully, this guide has informed you on everything you need to know about whether or not Thai tea contains caffeine.