First published September 2018. Updated October 2026 with a new map, the story behind each word, the exceptions, and books for going further. Tea and cha are the same word. Both come from the Chinese character 茶, which is pronounced te in the Min Nan dialect of coastal Fujian and cha in Mandarin and Cantonese….
Lately, I’ve still been reaching for familiar teas during busy weeks. I’m currently finishing a stash of Earl Grey that I buy in bulk from Oriental Pastry & Grocery on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. I always enjoy stopping there for raw almonds, cardamom seeds, tea, and pantry staples. The two brothers who run the shop…
If you ever been to a Thai restaurant in your area, you might have noticed this drink because of its flashy orange color. What is Thai iced tea (cha yen)? I’ve never heard of it before until I went to eat Thai with friends and a friend of mine order this drink. I was very…