Teh Tarik (Pulled Tea) Recipe
The national drink of Malaysia. Made by 'pulling' a strong brew of black tea with condensed milk.
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Ingredients
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Tea Base
Milk & Finishing
Method
Brew the Strong Tea
Boil water
Pour 3 cups of water into a small saucepan or kettle and bring to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat.
Steep tea
Once boiling, remove from direct high heat and add the 3 tablespoons of black tea leaves (or 3 strong tea bags). Return to a low simmer for 3–4 minutes to extract a very strong, dark brew. If using loose leaf, keep it slightly submerged and stir once.
Sweeten
Turn heat off. Add 1 tablespoon granulated sugar to the hot tea and stir until dissolved. Let the tea steep an additional 1 minute off heat for maximum strength.
Strain
Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer (or remove tea bags) into a heatproof pitcher to remove leaves. You should have roughly 2 1/2 to 3 cups of strong tea concentrate.
Combine Milk and Adjust
Add evaporated milk (optional)
If using, stir in 1 tablespoon evaporated milk to add silkiness and slightly reduce the sweetness. Taste and adjust: if the drink is too strong or sweet, add up to 1/2 cup hot water to reach desired strength and sweetness balance.
Pulling Technique & Serve
Prepare for pulling
Transfer the sweetened tea mixture into a heatproof pouring container (one with a narrow spout helps). Place a second similar-sized heatproof container across from it to receive the pour.
Pull the tea (traditional)
From about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) above the receiving container, pour the tea in a steady thin stream into the empty container. Then immediately pour it back from the receiving container to the original. Repeat this 'pulling' motion 8–12 times. The pouring should be continuous and controlled to create a smooth, frothy top and slightly cool the tea. Keep a steady wrist and try to maintain a thin stream to incorporate air without spilling.
Alternate gentle method
If you prefer not to pour from height, you can vigorously pour back and forth from two mugs or use an immersion blender for 5–8 seconds to create froth. The goal is a light foam and slightly aerated texture.
Serve
Once frothy and cooled to a comfortable drinking temperature, pour the teh tarik into warm or room-temperature cups. Serve immediately. Optionally garnish with a small dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg (not traditional) or offer extra condensed milk on the side.