The origins of teh tarik
When you plop yourself down at a mamak stall, you’ll likely hear the hollers of customers placing an order for teh tarik. The drink is a staple in the everyday life of Malaysians from all corners of the nation.
Read on to discover how this Malaysian-favourite beverage was created and became part of Malaysia’s food culture.
What is the origin of teh tarik in Malaysia?
Teh tarik is widely believed to have been created shortly after World War II. While tea is no new thing to Malaysians, having been enjoyed by locals since the 1830s, the act of “pulling” milk and tea together came from Indian-Muslim immigrants who found work in the rubber plantations and mines of the Malay Peninsula. These labourers established makeshift food stalls near the plantations, known as mamak stalls, to serve the working crowd. It was here that they concocted a unique tea brew to warm their souls.
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This allowed everyday Malaysians to enjoy tea, as premium tea was once a luxury predominantly reserved for the British. The resourceful immigrants resorted to using bittersweet tea dust, ameliorating its taste with the addition of condensed milk to birth the iconic teh tarik.
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Originally selling masala chai at the doors of plantations, vendors adapted by utilising tea dust and condensed milk due to financial limitations. This tweak not only improved taste but also gave rise to a conventional preparation method involving continuously pouring, or ‘pulling’, the tea between cups to achieve its signature frothy texture and enriching flavour.
How is teh tarik made?
Teh tarik is made using a blend of black tea, often tea dust or CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea, known for yielding a potent, tannic brew compared to loose-leaf variations. The tea undergoes strong boiling or steeping, to which condensed milk, and occasionally evaporated milk, are added.
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The mixture is then dexterously poured back and forth from a height, a ceremonial act dubbed as pulling, which not only cools the beverage but also thoroughly incorporates the milk to foster a luxuriant, frothy top.
Variations of the teh tarik
The humble drink has since transcended its role as just another beverage to have alongside a serving of roti canai or nasi lemak. It’s a symbol of Malaysia’s multiculturalistic society, enjoyed by everyone from all walks of life at mamak stalls.
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The art of preparing teh tarik has blossomed into a spectacle in Malaysia, with competitions held to see who can come out on top while theatrically pulling tea. With how popular teh tarik is, the drink is also available at trendy cafes, in iced or less-sweet versions, as well as in canned drink and ice cream forms.
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An icon in Malaysia
Teh tarik is an icon in Malaysia. It may have had a modest inception as a laborers’ drink, it’s now a national emblem, that unites Malaysians when it comes to beverage orders.
Cover image adapted from: @papparichaus, @eatdrinkbkk via Instagram