Thai iced tea is often every boba lover’s origin story. But what are the origins of the drink itself? Cha Yen, translating to “cold tea”, popularly known as Thai iced tea, is a sweet black tea mixed with evaporated or condensed milk and served over ice. Variations include additional ingredients such as star anise, cinnamon, lime, orange blossom, vanilla, and other sweet spices. This traditional Thai sweet iced tea drink  is refreshingly perfect for a hot summer day. While the exact origins are unknown, the tea became a staple of Thai street food culture in the 90’s. In America, Thai iced tea is a predominant menu item across Thai restaurants and boba tea shops.