Have you heard of teh tarik? It’s a variation on tea from the other side of the world that’s all about sweet taste, frothy texture and a flair for showmanship. The drink is really big in South East Asia, but isn’t limited to big tea-producing countries like India. In Malaysia and Singapore, where teh tarik is a huge part of the food culture, making the best variation of this creamy brew isn’t just a delicious pastime, it’s a source of pride.
There’s quite a bit of craft that goes into a good cup of teh tarik. It has to be sweet, foamy, and milky, but not too hot. The ingredients are few and simple (black tea, sugar,condensed milk and/or evaporated milk), but the true test is in pouring the tea.
What separates the amateurs from the pros is the way the tea is pulled. The trick is to continuously pour the freshly brewed mixture from one container to the other, always pouring from up high. Pulling cools down the tea by exposing it to the air, while the constant movement creates the foamy head teh tarik is known for.
The technique can take years to master, and there are many competitions around both Malaysia and Singapore where teh tarik pourers develop and show off their prowess. Some tea masters toss the liquid back and forth through the air with seamless ease, all the while tossing pitchers in the air or spinning in place, without ever spilling a drop!
Want to try it at home? You can try out this recipe from About.com.
- Add 4 tbsp of powdered black tea to boiling water; allow to brew for five minutes. (Use one of the Tea Smith’s black teas and grind it down using a mortar and pestle. You can also brew loose-leaf black tea extra strong. Use at least double the amount of tea you would usually use and brew for 8-10 minutes.)
- Filter the tea into a separate glass, then add 2 tbsp of sugar and 4 tbsp of condensed milk.
- Pour the tea between two glasses until it becomes thick and has foam on top.
- Serve hot in a clear glass accompanied by a heavy dose of gossip for good measure.
Want to check out some more teh tarik pulling skills? Click here, here and here. There are lots of great pulling videos online, including this one of a Malaysian student who created an automated teh tarik machine as a science fair project!