View source for Teh tarik

{{short description|Milk tea beverage in Southeast Asia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Teh tarik 
| image = Teh tarik man pulling tea.jpg
| caption = "Pulling" teh tarik
| alternate_name = 
| region = [[Malay Peninsula]]<ref name="origin">{{cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2013-07-19_103055.html|title=Teh tarik|author=Bonny Tan|publisher=[[National Library Board]]|location=[[Singapore]]|year=2013|access-date=30 August 2016|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228095857/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2013-07-19_103055.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| creator = [[India|Indian]] immigrants in the Malay peninsula<ref name="origin" /><ref>{{cite book|author=Su-Lyn Tan|title=Malaysia & Singapore|url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetworl00tans|url-access=registration|year=2003|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74059-370-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetworl00tans/page/158 158]–}}</ref>
| course = 
| type = Beverage
| served = Hot
| main_ingredient = 
| variations = 
| calories = 
| other = 
| similar_dish = [[Milk tea]], including  [[Burmese milk tea]] and 
 [[Hong Kong-style milk tea]]
}}
{{Infobox intangible heritage
| ICH         = Breakfast culture in Malaysia: dining experience in a multi-ethnic society
| State Party = Malaysia
| ID          = 02113
| Region      = APA
| Year        = 2024
| Session     = 19th
| List        = Representative
}}

'''Teh tarik''' ({{lit|pulled tea}}; [[Jawi script|Jawi]]: {{Script/Arabic|تيه تاريق}}) is a popular hot [[milk tea]] beverage most commonly found in restaurants, outdoor stalls, [[Mamak stall|mamaks]] and [[kopitiam]]s within the Southeast Asian countries of [[Malaysia]], [[Brunei]], [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], and [[Thailand]].<ref name="origin" /> Its name is derived from the process of repeatedly pouring the drink back and forth from one container into another (or "pulling") with arms extended during preparation, which helps to slightly cool the tea for consumption and giving it a frothy head. It is made from a strong brew of [[black tea]] blended with [[condensed milk]]. 

According to the BBC, it is considered the "unofficial national drink" of Malaysia.<ref name=":0" /> Malaysia nominated it for 2024 United Nations recognition as an [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|intangible cultural heritage]] food.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-20 |title=Nasi lemak, roti canai, teh tarik take centre stage at Geneva's UN office as Malaysia champions intangible cultural heritage |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/06/20/nasi-lemak-roti-canai-teh-tarik-take-centre-stage-at-genevas-un-office-as-malaysia-champions-intangible-cultural-heritage/140709#google_vignette |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Boon |first=Sim Wie |title=Nasi lemak nominated for Unesco World Heritage status |url=https://www.tatlerasia.com/dining/food/nasi-lemak-unesco-heritage |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=[[Tatler Asia]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Teh tarik'' is derived from [[Malay language|Malay]] that literally means "tea" and "pulled", or "pulled tea".<ref name="origin" />

== Background ==
According to the BBC, "Black tea was first introduced by the Chinese in the 1830s; the craft of pulling was developed by South Indian street cooks after 1850, and milk and sugar were introduced nearly 100 years later during the end of British colonialism".<ref name=":0" />

== Origin and history ==
[[Image:RotiPrata-Teh.JPG|thumb|[[Roti prata]] and {{not a typo|teh}} tarik at a stall in [[Jalan Kayu]], Singapore]]
According to the government of Singapore, the origins of teh tarik can be traced to [[Mamak stall|Indian Muslim]] immigrants in the [[Malay Peninsula]] who set up drink stalls serving [[masala chai]] as early as the 1870s at the entrance of rubber plantations to serve workers there; after [[World War II]] these vendors for economic reasons switched to using tea dust, the taste of which is bitter, and added condensed milk to mask the bitterness, creating teh tarik.<ref name="origin" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Krishna |first=Priya |date=17 May 2017 |title=Malaysian Millennials Love Teh Tarik, the Tea That Inspires Dance Competitions |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/tea/teh-tarik-frothy-hybrid-tea-inspired-sport |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=[[Food & Wine]] |language=en}}</ref> Singapore and Malaysia, [[Malaysia–Singapore relations|which split in 1965]], both claim it as a specialty of local cuisine.<ref name="origin" /> Malaysia nominated it, along with [[nasi lemak]] and [[roti canai]], for 2024 United Nations recognition as [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|intangible cultural heritage]] foods.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

==Ingredients, preparation and serving==
Tea leaves, tea bags, or [[tea dust]] are boiled or steeped strongly and strained.<ref name="origin" /> Vendors may use a tea concentrate of extremely strong tea that can be combined with hot water. [[Evaporated milk|Evaporated]] and/or [[condensed milk]] are added.<ref name="origin" /> According to ''Food & Wine'', lower-quality tea, such as that known as grade-B, is essential to producing traditional teh tarik.<ref name=":3" />

The mixture is poured back and forth repeatedly between two vessels from a height, giving it a thick [[froth]]y top.<ref name=":0" /> This process cools the tea to optimal drinking temperatures, thoroughly mixes the tea with the condensed milk, and is believed to improve its flavour.<ref name="origin" /><ref name=":0" /> This is often compared to the [[decanter|decant]]ing of [[cold brew coffee]] to enhance its flavour.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} 

Since colonial times, {{not a typo|teh}} tarik has been popular in [[Malaysian Indian cuisine]] for many in [[British Malaya]] and [[Singapore]]. Traditionally, {{not a typo|teh}} tarik has been seen served with roti prata or roti canai<ref name="origin" /> as a popular breakfast among [[Malaysians]] and with prata among [[Singaporeans]].

The term ''kurang manis'', which can be translated to "less sweet", is a common request for those who are health conscious or not fond of sugary drinks, as {{not a typo|teh}} tarik is typically prepared on the sweet side to taste by most vendors.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

An element of showmanship exists in the serving of {{not a typo|teh}} tarik. The ability to drag a long stream of tea above the heads of the patrons without giving them a shower is an amusing novelty for the locals and tourists alike. ''Food & Wine'' called it "the world's most athletic tea ritual".<ref name=":3" /> In Malaysia, servers who are adept at pouring the tea from further away, theatrically and seemingly in "defi[ance of] physics", become local celebrities.<ref name=":0" /> In Malaysia, pulling contests draw thousands of spectators.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> 

==Variations==
[[File:Teh C Peng.jpg|thumb|Two teh-C ais drinks]]
[[File:Teh C Special.jpg|thumb|Teh-C ais secial, otherwise known as teh-C peng S
special; a three-layered tea drink.]]

* Teh ais is tea sweetened with condensed milk that is simply served in a glass with ice cubes. It may also be known as {{not a typo|teh}} tarik ping, teh ping,<ref name="origin" /> or {{not a typo|teh}} tarik ais'' with the tarik treatment.
* Teh tarik madu is {{not a typo|teh}} tarik blended with honey as part of its preparation, which is usually served cold.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-01|title=Teh Tarik Recipe, Irresistibly Easy To Make At Home|url=https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/teh-tarik-recipe-easy/|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Honest Food Talks|language=en-GB|archive-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408005041/https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/teh-tarik-recipe-easy/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Teh halia]], {{not a typo|teh}} tarik flavoured with ginger.<ref name="origin" />
* Teh madras, a variant popular in [[Sabah]] and [[Labuan]], is made with frothed milky tea layered on top of hot milk.
* Teh-C or teh si is tea made with unsweetened [[evaporated milk]], unlike the traditional {{not a typo|teh}} tarik which is made with sweetened condensed milk.<ref name="origin" /> Vendors however will add sugar to Teh-C unless specifically asked not to. The Malay word for nil or zero, kosong, is used to indicate that the drinker does not want their beverage to be sweetened. The ‘C’ stands for "[[Carnation (brand)|Carnation]]", a popular brand of evaporated milk. A three-layered tea variation of the drink called Teh-C Peng Special are available and sold in most kopitiams, consisting of black tea, milk and [[Palm sugar|palm sugar syrup]] from the top to bottom layer respectively. Teh-C ais is the iced drink version of it with ice cubes.
* Teh-O, also known as teh kosong, refers to black tea without any addition of dairy products or creamers.<ref name="origin" /> "Kosong" means "zero" in Malay. Like teh-C, sugar is usually added, except when teh-O kosong is specified, where once again sugar is omitted. Teh O ais is the iced drink version of it, with ice cubes.
* Kopi tarik is local coffee, dark-roasted with margarine and sugar, which is sweetened with condensed milk and pulled to froth it up. Drinks made with Milo and Nescafe may also be served with the tarik treatment by vendors who specialise in {{not a typo|teh}} tarik.

== Cultural importance ==
The drink in Malaysia is seen as a symbol of navigating conflict and as a common drink popular among disparate cultural groups.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stirn |first=Matt |title=Teh tarik: Malaysia's frothy 'national drink' |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220104-teh-tarik-malaysias-frothy-national-drink |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122115946/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220104-teh-tarik-malaysias-frothy-national-drink |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=2022-01-22 |website=[[BBC]] |date=5 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=[OPEN] Teh Tarik Session: Empowering Young Minds Through Leadership|url=https://evenesis.com/online-events/event/open-teh-tarik-session-empowering-young-minds-through-leadership/|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Evenesis Online Events|language=en-US|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122115949/https://evenesis.com/online-events/event/open-teh-tarik-session-empowering-young-minds-through-leadership/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Resolve differences with deputy minister over {{not a typo|teh}} tarik session, Azalina tells MP|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/30/resolve-differences-with-deputy-minister-over-teh-tarik-session-azalina-tells-mp|access-date=2022-01-22|website=The Star|date=30 November 2021 |language=en|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120222709/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/30/resolve-differences-with-deputy-minister-over-teh-tarik-session-azalina-tells-mp|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Thai tea]]
* [[Hong Kong-style milk tea]]
* [[Bubble tea]]

==References==
{{Commonscat}}
{{Portal|Drink|Malaysia|Indonesia|Singapore}}
{{reflist}}

{{Teas}}
{{Malaysian cuisine}}
{{Indonesian cuisine}}
{{Singaporean cuisine|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Teh Tarik}}
[[Category:Malaysian drinks]]
[[Category:Singaporean drinks]]
[[Category:Indonesian drinks]]
[[Category:Blended tea]]
[[Category:Singaporean cuisine]]
[[Category:Bruneian cuisine]]
[[Category:Thai drinks]]
[[Category:Tea culture]]
[[Category:Malaysian tea]]
[[Category:Milk tea]]
[[Category:Indian tea]]
[[Category:Indian drinks]]
[[Category:Indian fusion cuisine]]
[[Category:Indonesian Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian-Malaysian culture]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in Singapore]]