Teh Tarik
Strong black tea sweetened with condensed milk, then pulled between two vessels from a height until frothy and smooth. Malaysia's favourite hot drink.
Method
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Bring the water to the boil in a small pan. Add the tea, lower the heat and simmer for 4 minutes, until the tea is very dark and strong.
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Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a heatproof jug.
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Stir in the condensed milk and evaporated milk until dissolved. Taste, and add more condensed milk if you want it sweeter.
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Take a second jug. Standing over the sink, pour the tea from one jug into the other, starting with a short pour, and raise the top jug a little each time, up to about 40 cm, in a steady stream.
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Repeat 6 to 8 times, until the tea is frothy and a little cooler. Pour into two glasses and drink while hot.
Chef’s Tips
- Make the tea stronger than you think you need. The milk softens it a great deal.
- Start with a low pour and raise it as you get the feel for it. The stream should be steady, not a splash.
- For a less sweet cup, use 3 tablespoons of condensed milk and 3 of evaporated milk.
Pairing Suggestions
- Roti canai
- Kaya toast
- Fried banana fritters
Storage & Reheating
Best drunk at once. Keep leftover tea, without the milk, in the fridge up to 2 days and reheat to serve.
Common questions
How long does Teh Tarik take to make?
About 10 minutes in total — 3 minutes of preparation and 7 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 2.
What are the key tips for making Teh Tarik?
Make the tea stronger than you think you need. The milk softens it a great deal. Start with a low pour and raise it as you get the feel for it. The stream should be steady, not a splash. For a less sweet cup, use 3 tablespoons of condensed milk and 3 of evaporated milk.
What should I serve with Teh Tarik?
Roti canai; Kaya toast; Fried banana fritters.
Is Teh Tarik suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Teh Tarik?
About 153 kcal per serving, with 4 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate and 5 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.