Malaysian
Teh Tarik (Malaysian Pulled Milk Tea)
Brew a strong black tea, stir in condensed and evaporated milk, then pour it back and forth between two jugs from a height until frothy; 15 minutes for 2 cups.
Teh tarik is Malaysia's frothy pulled milk tea: strong black tea sweetened with condensed milk and poured back and forth between two jugs until a thick foam forms on top. You can make it at home with two heatproof jugs and a little practice over the sink.
- Serves 2
- Prep: 5 min
- Cook: 10 min
- Total: 15 min
Ingredients
- 500 ml (2 cups) water
- 3 tbsp loose black tea, or 4 black tea bags
- 80 ml (1/3 cup) sweetened condensed milk
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) evaporated milk
Method
- Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea, simmer on low heat for 3 minutes, then turn off the heat and steep for 3 minutes more to make a strong brew.
- Strain the tea through a fine strainer or tea sock into a heatproof jug. You should have about 400 ml.
- Put the condensed milk and evaporated milk in a second heatproof jug. Pour the hot tea over and stir well.
- Pull the tea: standing over the sink, hold one jug low and pour into it from the other jug held higher. Pour back and forth 5–6 times, slowly raising the pouring jug to about 30 cm (12 in) above the other as you get more confident, until the tea is frothy.
- Pour into 2 cups with plenty of foam on top and serve hot.
Tips
- Safety: the tea is very hot. Start with the jugs close together and only raise them once you can pour steadily.
- No pulling: blend the hot tea and milks for 20 seconds with the lid vented, or froth with a milk frother.
- Iced teh tarik (teh tarik ais): pull the tea, let it cool for 5 minutes, then pour it over a glass full of ice.
- Sweetness: add the condensed milk a little at a time and taste. Some prefer 60 ml.
Questions
What tea is best for teh tarik?
A strong, inexpensive black tea such as a Ceylon or Malaysian highland blend, or black tea dust. It needs to be strong enough to stand up to the condensed milk.
Can I make teh tarik without pulling it?
Yes. Blend the tea and milks for about 20 seconds with the lid vented, or use a milk frother. Pulling cools the tea slightly and makes the foam, so either gives a similar result.
How do I make iced teh tarik?
Make and pull the tea as usual, let it cool for a few minutes, then pour it over a glass full of ice.
Is this teh tarik halal?
The recipe is pork-free and lists no alcohol. It is not halal-certified: check that the condensed and evaporated milk carry halal certification.
A Dada Cooking original recipe. Quantities are metric first, with US amounts in brackets.