Oliang

Name: Oliang
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 3 tbsp Thai coffee mix; 300 ml hot water; as needed ice; to taste sugar; 1 pinch salt

25 minutes prep 45 minutes cook Serves 4 to 6 vegan

Oliang, a staple from Yaowarat's bustling streets, finds its way into Thai homes as a beloved refreshment. This chilled coffee concoction, made with a unique Thai coffee mix, is a popular choice during the sweltering afternoons. The home version maintains the essence of its street-side origin, with an emphasis on personal touch—salt measured by intuition and a generosity of fat that speaks to its rich heritage.

Sipping Oliang is a sensory delight, where the boldness of coffee mingles with a subtle hint of salt, creating a complex yet balanced flavor. The sweetness can be adjusted to one's liking, allowing for a personalized experience with every glass. Poured over ice, it offers a refreshing contrast, perfect for sharing and savoring in the comfort of home.

Ingredients

3 tbspThai coffee mix
300 mlhot water
as neededice
to tastesugar
1 pinchsalt

Method

Start by brewing the base for your Oliang. Place 3 tablespoons of Thai coffee mix into a heatproof container. Pour 300 ml of hot water over the coffee mix, ensuring that the water is just off the boil to extract maximum flavor without burning the grounds. Stir gently to combine, and let it steep for about 5 minutes. The coffee should be dark and aromatic, with a rich, deep color.
Once brewed, strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or a coffee filter into a jug to remove the grounds. This will give you a smooth base without any gritty texture. Allow the coffee to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill thoroughly. This chilling step is crucial for achieving the refreshing cold temperature that characterizes Oliang.
While the coffee is chilling, prepare your serving glasses by filling them with ice. The ice should be enough to fill each glass about halfway, ensuring that the drink will be cold but not overly diluted. This step is important to maintain the balance of flavors once the coffee is poured over.
Once the coffee is chilled, taste it and add sugar to your liking. Start with a small amount, stirring to dissolve completely, and add more if needed. A pinch of salt can be added to enhance the sweetness and depth of the coffee flavor. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to agitate the coffee too much and lose its aroma.
Pour the sweetened, chilled coffee over the ice in the prepared glasses. The coffee should cascade over the ice, creating a beautiful contrast between the dark liquid and the clear ice. Serve immediately in traditional glassware to capture the authentic experience of enjoying Oliang at home.