Step 1

Prepare the black tea the way you usually do. Teh tarik recipes do not specify one particular method of preparing the tea.

Step 2

If using tea bags, place 2 bags into the cup of hot water, let steep for 5 minutes, then remove used tea bags and discard them.

Step 3

If using loose-leaf tea, place 3 teaspoons of leaves into the cup of hot water (or into the infuser of a teapot if you have one) and let steep for 5 minutes, then drain and discard used tea leaves.

Step 4

During the tea steeping time, soak a teaspoon in the salt water if you have it.

Step 5

To make it easy to perform the ‘pulling’ part of the teh tarik recipe, pour the tea into a heat-proof container that is easy to lift and pour from (such as one with handles). Traditionally, however, the drink is made directly in a cup.

Step 6

Remove the teaspoon from the salt solution, shake off the excess water, and use the spoon to add the 2 teaspoons of sweetened condensed milk into the black tea in the container.Some recipes use a pinch of salt instead, but that often is too harsh and saline, especially for such a small serving. If the salt water is too troublesome, however, use a pinch of salt. We strongly highlight to you to not forget to add salt as it will make the drink taste flat.

Step 7

And finally, to cement this as a teh tarik recipe as opposed to that of any other milk tea drink, pour the liquid from the container into a large mug. Then pour it back into the container. Repeat this process up to 5 times, but no more. This will make the drink just the right texture: velvety and frothy, but not too bubbly. It will also keep the drink from getting cold.

Step 8

Serve hot (traditionally in a transparent mug such as a beer mug) and enjoy!