What Is Thai Iced Coffee? (Gafae Yen)

Learn all about gafae yen and how to make this sweet, creamy Thai iced coffee in this guide…

January 25, 2025
Iced coffee in a glass with chicory flowers, coffee beans, star anise, and sliced root on a wooden base

Thai iced coffee combines the dark, bitter flavors of coffee with the sweet creaminess of condensed milk. It can be considered a “traditional” brew. However, there isn’t one “strict” recipe to create it. 

This chilled coffee is both refreshing and indulgent. Learn about the unique taste of Thai iced coffee, what makes it different from regular iced coffee, and how to make it in this article...

What Does Thai Iced Coffee Taste Like?

Thai iced coffee has a rich, bold, sweet flavor. Unlike Vietnamese iced coffee, which is strictly brewed with robusta, Thai iced coffee can be made from robusta or arabica beans

What’s important is the beans’ dark roast, producing a rich, dark, slightly bitter beverage that’s balanced out by the sweet and creamy flavors of condensed milk. 

The combination of strong, robust coffee, sweetness, and thick, creamy milk creates a well-balanced beverage that's both refreshing and indulgent. 

Thai iced coffee is served over ice and is occasionally topped with extra whipped cream or thickened condensed milk. It may also be brewed with hints of spices such as cardamom or star anise, adding an exotic and aromatic touch to its flavor profile.

What Makes Thai Iced Coffee Different From Regular Iced Coffee?

Two iced coffee glasses, with coffee beans and a bowl of ground coffee

Although Thai iced coffee is a sweet, chilled, caffeinated beverage served over ice, it's different from regular iced coffee. There are several factors that make this Southeast Asian delight unique, including the type of coffee used, the brewing method, and its texture and flavor.

Here's what makes Thai iced coffee different from regular iced coffee:

1. Coffee Type 

Thai iced coffee can be brewed with either robusta, arabica, or a blend. The coffee used in this beverage has changed over time. 

When robusta plantations ruled Thailand, the iced coffee was mostly made with these beans. However, now arabica production has increased in the country, many people are beginning to use arabica coffee or blends of robusta and arabica to make iced coffee. 

It’s typically brewed with medium to dark roast coffee that’s ground coarse. 

In some regions, Thai iced coffee is also brewed with the addition of spices. Chicory, cardamom, or star anise are added to the coffee before brewing. This infuses the brew with a warm, rich, aromatic profile that’s distinctly Thai.

2. Brewing Method 

Thai iced coffee is traditionally made using a traditional brewing bag called a “Tungdtom.”The tungdtom is like a refillable tea bag that holds coarse-ground coffee. The bag is steeped in water to create a strong, concentrated immersion brew. 

The tungdtom is often used by street vendors in Thailand, but you’ll also find other brewing methods to make Thai iced coffee used in restaurants and cafes. Unlike other beverages, Thai iced coffee isn’t defined by a single brewing method. 

Thai iced coffee can be made with richly brewed espresso shots, concentrated drip coffee, strong French press coffee, or moka pot coffee

3. Texture and Flavor 

Thai iced coffee is known for its thick, creamy texture and intense sweetness. Like other Southeast Asian brews, Thai iced coffee is made with condensed milk, which lends a luxurious, caramel-richness and deep creaminess to the drink. 

Unlike regular iced coffee, Thai iced coffee is thick, with an almost pudding-like consistency that offers a dessert-like experience. When spices are added to the coffee and sweetened condensed milk, the combination gives the brew a depth and complexity not found in any other coffee beverage. 

The bold, robust flavors of dark roast coffee, the sweet creaminess of condensed milk, and the addition of cardamom and anise (optional) create a unique and indulgent iced coffee that’s quintessentially Thai. 

What You Need to Make Thai Iced Coffee

Coffee ingredients with ground coffee, beans, condensed milk, water, chicory flowers, and spices

You will need a few unique ingredients to make Thai iced coffee. If you want to make it the traditional way, you’ll also need some simple, but specialist, pieces of equipment. 

Here's what you'll need to make Thai iced coffee:

Ingredients

  • Dark roast coffee
  • Filtered water
  • Condensed milk 
  • Ice
  • Ground cardamom, anise, and/or chicory (optional)

Equipment

  • Coffee grinder
  • Measuring spoon or scales
  • Tungdtom (Thai coffee filter bag)
  • Large heat-proof jar or bowl
  • Kettle or stovetop pan
  • Large serving glass 
  • Mixing spoon 

Coffee Recommendations

The best coffee to use in Thai iced coffee should be dark roast. Freshly ground whole-bean coffee creates a more complex brew, but high-quality pre-ground coffee can also be used. 

Whether you use arabica or robusta coffee is less important. However, which coffee type you use will affect the taste of the iced coffee. 

    • Robusta produces a much darker, richer brew with a bitter edge and a potent caffeine hit. 
    • Arabica produces a smooth, sweet brew with floral undertones and a milder caffeine hit. 
  • Blends — a combination of robusta and arabica coffee — produce a brew with the characteristics of both beans. 

If you want to make Thai iced coffee with robusta, we recommend HaNoi Coffee (100% Robusta). We recommend Cafely DaLat (100% Arabica) for arabica Thai iced coffee. For making Thai iced coffee with the traits of both beans, we recommend our bestselling SaiGon OG Coffee (Robusta x Arabica x Peaberry) blend.

How to Make Thai Iced Coffee in Five Steps

Thai iced coffee is surprisingly easy to make but it does take some time. In the recipe below, we’ll be using a tungdtom (traditional Thai coffee filter bag). However, if you don’t have one of these, you can make a concentrated coffee with your preferred brewing method. 

With that said, here’s how to make Thai iced coffee in five simple steps:

1. Grind the Coffee

First, grind your preferred coffee to a coarse consistency. A burr or blade grinder will achieve this consistency. Aim for a grind similar in texture to sea salt. There are no specific measurements for Thai iced coffee, but around 17 to 25 grams per serving makes a balanced brew. 

If you’re using pre-ground coffee, skip this step. 

2. Boil the Water 

Boil 100 to 150 mL of filtered water in a kettle or pan.

3. Brew the Coffee

Set the tungdtom inside your jar or bowl. Pour in the ground coffee (and ground cardamom, anise, and chicory if desired) and cover with 100 to 150 mL of hot water. Leave the coffee to steep for five to seven minutes. 

Lift the tungdtom and squeeze gently to strain. Remove and discard the grounds. 

4. Mix the Coffee With the Milk

Add one to two ice cubes to the coffee to cool it down. Then, pour in 50 to 100 mL of sweetened condensed milk. Stir the coffee and milk to combine.

The resulting mixture should be thick and dark brown in color. 

5. Pour and Serve

In a tall serving glass, add ice. Then, pour the coffee and milk mixture in until it fills two-thirds of the glass’s volume.

Top the coffee with more condensed milk to create a cascading effect. Thai iced coffee is traditionally served with a straw. 

Enjoy this brew while ice cold. 

FAQs: Thai Iced Coffee and Other Southeast Asian Brews

Want to learn more about Thai iced coffee and other Southeast Asian coffee?

Read through the answers to the frequently asked questions below to find out more about Thai, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian brews:

1. What’s the Best Coffee for Thai Iced Coffee

Iced coffee with a straw, coffee bag, condensed milk, beans, chicory flowers, and star anise

The best coffee for Thai iced coffee is 100% dark roast robusta if you like a strong brew with a bitter edge. We recommend our HaNoi Coffee (100% Robusta) — available in whole bean or pre-ground. 

Arabica coffee is better if you prefer a smoother, sweeter brew with less caffeine. We recommend our DaLat coffee (100% Arabica) for arabica Thai iced coffee or the Saigon OG blend for a robusta x arabica Thai iced coffee. 

2. What is a Phin Filter?

A phin filter is a traditional piece of Vietnamese brewing equipment. It works similarly to a pour-over, but a few elements provide more control over the strength and characteristics of the final brew. Learn about the phin filter in this article

3. What’s the Difference Between Thai Iced Coffee and Vietnamese Iced Coffee?

Thai iced coffee and Vietnamese iced coffee are remarkably similar. Both utilize a strong dark roast coffee. Both are also often creamed and sweetened with condensed milk. However, Vietnamese iced coffee is prepared with a phin filter, and Thai iced coffee is prepared with a tungdtom. 

4. Why Is Condensed Milk Used in Thai Iced Coffee?

Condensed milk is used in Thai iced coffee to make the beverage sweet and creamy. Its thick consistency and high sugar and fat content balance out the strong, bitter flavors of the dark roast coffee. 

5. How Much Caffeine in Thai Iced Coffee?

Thai iced coffee is surprisingly high in caffeine. This is due to the concentrated coffee used. Robusta coffee beans contain around twice as much caffeine per gram compared to arabica coffee beans. Thai iced coffee made with robusta is stronger than a blend or arabica. 

6. Why Does Southeast Asia Prefer Robusta Coffee?

Robusta coffee is used more in Southeast Asia because they produce more robusta coffee than arabica. During the 20th century, coffee leaf rust swept across Asia, decimating the original arabica plantations. Robusta replaced the arabica because it’s more resilient to leaf rust and thrives in lower altitudes. 

7. Is Thai Iced Coffee Vegan?

Traditional Thai iced coffee isn’t vegan. Condensed milk (dairy) is used to cream and sweeten the coffee. However, you can make a similar vegan coffee by sweetening it with sugar and coconut milk

8. What Grind Size Do I Need for Iced Coffee?

Thai iced coffee should be ground coarse. Traditionally, Thai iced coffee is made using a cloth bag called a "tungdtom” (ถุงต้ม) and a coarse grind. This prevents any fine coffee particles from reaching the final brew. 

9. How Should Robusta Coffee Be Stored?

Robusta coffee should be stored in the same way as arabica coffee. Whether it's ground or whole beans, the coffee should be stored in air-tight containers and left in a cool, dark place. Whole beans will last for two to three months; ground coffee will last for 10 to 14 days (at room temperature). 

10. What’s the Ideal Water Temperature for Brewing Robusta Coffee?

The ideal water temperature for brewing robusta coffee is between 194 and 196°F (90 to 92°C). The water should be boiled and removed from the heat, allowed to cool for a few minutes, and then poured over the coffee.