Trà

Fact: Vietnam is on the list of the top 10 countries that produce tea the most annually, being able to offer 116.780 tons annually.

Trà: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/chah/

Alternative Name(s)

Chè

Drink Type

Hot non-alcoholic beverages, cold non-alcoholic beverages.

Mealtime

Anytime

Trà: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified

Popular Trà Variations

Trà Xanh

Trà xanh is a Vietnamese green tea known for its delicate flavor and numerous health benefits.

Trà Đen

Black tea with a robust flavor, darker color, and fully oxidized leaves

Trà Ô Long

Oolong tea that is partially oxidized with complex flavors
Has a high level of antioxidants

Trà Hương

Infused with aromatic flowers, like jasmine or pomelo, for a fragrant bouquet.

Trà Sen Tây Hồ

Named after the Tay Ho area in Hanoi
Has a high market value in Vietnam
A translucent light green color once steeped

Trà Tân Cương

A type of green tea from the Tan Cuong area
Noted for its strong aroma and deep color

Trà Nõn Tôm

The tea is planted and processed in Thai Nguyen
Has a green-yellow color

Trà Shan Tuyết Tây Bắc

Grown in high altitudes
Use only young tea buds still having fine white hair
A signature yellow color

Trà Cổ Thụ Tà Xùa

Made from ancient tea trees
Has a rich and deep flavor with a sweet aftertaste

Hồng Trà

This term can refer to a range of darker, sweeter teas
A good hồng trà needs to have a spiral brown leaves when dried with the steeped water having a vibrant red color

Trà Sâm Dứa (Pandanus Tea)

Infused with pandanus leaves, offering a distinct sweet and grassy flavor

Trà Đá

Trà đá is a popular Vietnamese iced tea, served cold and often enjoyed as a refreshing street-side beverage.

Trà Xanh Thái Nguyên (Thai Nguyen Green Tea)

A renowned green tea from the Thai Nguyen Province
Famous for its bold flavor and aromatic qualities

Trà Vằng

Made from the leaves of the Jasminum subtriplinerve, believed to be able to treat high blood pressure, insomnia, liver problems

Trà Thiết Quan Âm

A semi-fermented tea
A mixed of green tea and black tea with a slightly chestnut aroma

Trà Lài

Trà lài is a Vietnamese jasmine tea with a delicate and highly fragrant aroma.

Trà Móc Câu Tân Cương (Hook-shaped Tan Cuong Tea)

Has a slightly tangy flavor
A bright color
The dried tea is hook-shaped

Trà Atisô

A herbal tea made from artichoke leaves
Light in flavor, often consumed for its purported health benefits

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Trà: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Tea leaves, water

Main Preparing Method

Steeping

Preparation Process

Boil water, pour over tea leaves, steep for several minutes, strain and serve.

Trà: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Integral to social and ceremonial occasions; a symbol of hospitality

Taste

Bitter, sweet

Texture

Smooth liquid

Aroma

Aromatic

Color

Varies based on the types of tea

Serving Style

In teacups, glasses, or pots

Serving Temperature

Hot, warm, cold, or at room temperature

Accompaniment

Biscuits, dried fruits, candy, preserved fruit, dessert treats.

Occasions

On any occasions

Calories

1.5 calories, according to data of Nutritionix for 5 ounces of tea.

Popularity

Worldwide

Popular Similar Drinks

1. Chinese Tea
2. Japanese Tea

Popular Dining Area

Households, eateries, and restaurants in Vietnam

Trà, or chè (in the North), is simply Vietnamese tea, a traditional drink that is made by steeping hot water with leaves, buds, or branches of tea, scientifically known as camellia sinensis.

Like many teas worldwide, trà in Vietnam is also dried, oxidized (fermenting), or infused with other herbs, spices, flowers, or fruits.

As a drink, trà comes in 4 varieties black tea, green tea, oolong tea, and white tea. Furthermore, trà provides a great amount of caffeine and antioxidant substances. In Vietnam, a standard trà is aromatic with a slightly bitter and tangy taste.

Drinking tea has been a part of Vietnamese culture for hundreds of years. In a traditional household, guests are often treated to warm tea served in small teacups. Depending on the region, the tea potency varies from being light to a strong profile.

Vietnamese have various ways of processing tea plants, with the oldest method being to use fresh leaves or buds of tea plants for boiling with water.

Another way is people will dry the tea for later usage, while the third method is to infuse it with flowers to create trà hương.

To further understand trà, I’d like to introduce you to various versions of tea in Vietnam before showing you how to steep Vietnamese tea correctly.

Then, explore the pros and cons of drinking trà and inquiries about this drink. Also, I will also suggest drinks that are like Vietnamese trà.

Trà Images

What Are the Different Types of Trà in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, each region produces various versions of tea with differences ranging from the types of tea plants to the processing procedures and even the ingredients used to make the tea. For that, let me introduce you to 18 popular tea varieties in Vietnam:

After going through all the tea variations in Vietnam, I strongly suggest looking into the process of steeping a great cup of tea in the country to understand more about their culture.

How to Steep Trà in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, there are no specific rules to how tea is steeped and served. However, these are a few procedures that locals often go through to ensure the best quality tea for serving:

Step 1: Select Good Quality Tea

Start with high-quality Vietnamese tea. Popular choices include trà xanh (green tea) and trà ô long (oolong tea).

Step 2: Heat Water to the Correct Temperature

The water temperature is crucial and varies depending on the type of tea. For green teas, water should be between 70-80°C (158-176°F), while for oolong teas, it’s typically around 80-90°C (176-194°F).

Step 3: Rinse the Tea Leaves

If you’re following traditional methods, you’ll first rinse the tea leaves by pouring hot water over them, then quickly discarding this water. This cleanses the tea and helps to open up the leaves for a better infusion.

Step 4: Steep the Tea

Add hot water to the tea leaves. Steep for the appropriate time, anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes, depending on the tea type. Green teas often require less time, while oolong teas can withstand longer steeping.

Step 5: Pour and Serve

Pour the tea into teacups for serving.

Step 6: Savor the Tea

Enjoy the tea slowly, appreciating its aroma, color, and flavor nuances.

Steeping tea in Vietnam is simple and all, but there’s more to it as you should know more about how the tea ceremony works out in the country.

How to Do a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony?

In Vietnamese culture, the tea ceremony is not as complex as in China or Japan though it’s also influenced by the Chinese. Typically, the Vietnamese tea ceremony is also about simplicity and enjoying the drink with people from the neighborhood.

Usually, people of any age will gather at a local drink store to have tea and discuss all sorts of business during the process of drinking it. People will gradually enjoy the tea over time while enjoying the stories of others.

Ideally, a set of tools used for the Vietnamese tea ceremony includes a teapot, small cups, a tea tray, a tea box, a water kettle, and a strainer. Don’t forget to check out the benefits and drawbacks of drinking trà to further understand tea in Vietnam.

Pros and Cons of Drinking Trà

Here are the good and bad aspects that people need to be aware of before drinking tea:

After knowing the effects of drinking Vietnamese tea, make sure to have a look through some of the common inquiries about this type of drink.

Trà FAQs