Teh Tarik (Pulled Tea) — Singapore's Frothy Afternoon Ritual
Singapore Food & Culture There are few things more shiok than a frothy glass of teh tarik (also spelled teh tarek ) on a humid Singapore afternoon. This calorie-rich but undeniably comforting milk tea — found everywhere from roadside stalls to air-conditioned food courts — is more than just a drink. It is a small piece of living history, a performance art, and for many locals, a daily ritual. What Is Teh Tarik? Teh tarik literally means "pulled tea" in Malay. At its simplest, it is a strong brew of black tea blended with sweetened condensed milk (or evaporated milk, for a less cloying version). What sets it apart from ordinary milk tea is the signature preparation: the brewer pours the liquid back and forth between two metal cups or mugs from as great a height as possible, "pulling" the tea through the air. This theatrical motion serves three purposes at once: it cools the tea to a drinkable temperature, aerates the mixtu...
