Rarely seen Northern Thailand snack Loaded with Caffeine

A chewy, sour snack made from fermented wild tea leaves wrapped up tightly into a chewable pouch, 'Miang' packs a caffeine buzz stronger than a cup of coffee. I picked up a package of miang for 5 baht ($0.15 US) in Thailand's northern, mountainous Nan province in the summer of 2013.

Miang is loaded with caffeine from wild tea leaves, so you’ll get a quick buzz of energy after chewing on it for a few minutes. Due to its antioxidant richness, some Thai people believe that chewing it everyday will make you appear younger (many elderly Thai people chew on miang to maintain their youthful vigor!)

To make miang, wild green tea leaves are mixed with salt and left to ferment in a jar outdoors. In the north of Thailand and in Laos, farmers and hill tribe folk often chew on this stuff for energy while working on the mountainous hillsides.

Chewing this weird Thai snack is kind of similar to chewing tobacco, except it's actually beneficial to your health. Place the tea leaf pouch in your cheek and suck on it for a while. Once it starts to dry up, you can chew on it to derive even more of the green tea antioxidants and caffeine. It's edible, so swallow it once you're finishing chewing.

I tried it myself when a Thai friend offered me some "Thai chewing gum." My face immediately puckered up and I almost spit it out. The flavor is bitter as all hell. Some experienced miang makers prepare the fermented tea leaves with coconut shavings and ginger slices to counterbalance the bitterness.

Once the caffeine buzz kicks in, you’re golden. It’s a great rush and a quick pick-me-up when you’re feeling drained. If you come to northern Thailand, pick up a bag of miang and try it for yourself. Just prepare to pucker!