Teh tarik

Teh tarik

Origin
Place of origin	Malaysia
Type	Beverage

Teh tarik (literally "pulled tea") is a hot milk tea beverage which can be commonly found in restaurants, outdoor stalls and kopi tiams within the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia and Singapore. Its name is derived from the pouring process of "pulling" the drink during preparation. It is made from black tea, condensed milk or evaporated milk. It is considered the national drink of Malaysia.

Preparation

The mixture is poured back and forth repeatedly between two vessels from a height, giving it a thick frothy top. This process cools the tea to optimal drinking temperatures, and helps to thoroughly mix the tea with the condensed milk. It is also done to give the tea a better flavour. This is often compared to the decantering of toddy to improve its flavour.

Locally and regionally sourced tea used for teh tarik are not of the highest grade. Despite the strong aroma from the common Ceylonese variety, the taste is rather acrid and generally would not go well with a little cream or fresh milk like other fine tea. Hence condensed milk or evaporated milk is used to ensure any overpowering taste is well balanced by the creamy flavour of the thickened milk.

Culture

Roti prata and teh tarik at a stall in Jalan Kayu, Singapore.

Since colonial times, Teh tarik has been a popular Malaysian Indian cuisine for several people in Malaya and Singapore. The origins of teh tarik can be traced to Indian-Muslim immigrants in the Malay Peninsula who set up drink stalls at the entrance of rubber plantations after World War II to serve the workers there. Traditionally, teh tarik has been seen served with the Roti Canai which has become a popular breakfast set by Malaysians until today.

An element of showmanship exists in the preparation of teh tarik. The ability to drag a long stream of tea above the heads of the patrons without giving them a shower is an amusing novelty for the locals and tourists alike.

In Malaysia, there are occasions where teh tarik brewers gather for competitions and performances to show their skills. Teh tarik has become recognised along with nasi lemak as part of the food and beverage heritage of Malaysia by the Malaysian government ministry.

Variations

• Teh-C refers to tea made with unsweetened evaporated milk, unlike the traditional teh tarik which is made with sweetened condensed milk. Vendors however will add sugar to Teh-C unless specifically asked not to. The Malay word for nil or zero, kosong, is used to indicate that the drinker does not want their beverage to be sweetened.
• Teh-O refers to the same tea used but without any addition of dairy entirely. Like Teh-C, sugar is usually added except when Teh-O kosong is specified where once again no sugar is added.
• Teh halia, ginger tea which is also found in various coffee shops.
• Teh Tarik kurang manis, can be translated to "less sweet Teh Tarik"
• Cham (Hokkien word for ‘mix’) is a combination of tea and coffee.

See also

• Thai tea, a similar drink from Thailand that has become popular abroad
• Hong Kong-style milk tea