Exploring the Flavors of Milk Teas in Malaysia and Beyond
In my daily routine, there's one beverage that stands out: milk tea. It's a simple drink that I enjoy every day, often served with milk. However, my love for milk tea came with a few twists when I tried different milk types and explored the rich world of tea in Malaysia.
Milk Tea in My Daily Life
Life in Malaysia is bustling, and it starts with a cup of milk tea. Every morning, I head to my local coffee shop to enjoy a traditional Malaysian tea with milk. The tea here is often served with cows milk, giving it the perfect balance between tea and milk. Some days, I switch it up and try soy milk, but it doesn't quite hit the spot. When I experienced inflammation with soy milk, I went back to regular cows milk, which suited me just fine.
Malaysian Specialties: Teh Tarik and Teh Halia
Alternatively, I have the opportunity to indulge in Teh Tarik, a frothy and creamy version of milk tea that is a crowd favorite. The process of pulled tea makes it cool down to the right temperature, perfect for a hot day. Condensed milk gives it a rich and sweet flavor. However, I must admit that it often hits me way too sweet. Another variant, Teh Halia, adds a spicy kick with ginger, making it a soothing remedy for tummy aches. It also includes condensed milk, adding to its creamy texture.
Traditional Masala Chai and the Art of Brewing
When I'm not in Malaysia, I have the opportunity to enjoy Masala Chai at Indian restaurants on Sundays. This herbal tea is made from black tea blended with spices and sometimes unpasteurized cows milk, which takes around 20 minutes to brew. The complexity and warmth of masala chai make it a comforting and nostalgic drink for me.
The Three Layer Tea Phenomenon
A unique and innovative tea creation, the Three Layer Tea in Malaysia is a must-try. This isn't your run-of-the-mill milk tea; it's layered with black tea, palm sugar, and evaporated milk, each layer adding a new dimension of flavor to the drink. My favorite version is the gula Mabong-infused version, which provides a sweet kick that brings a rush of energy. While it's delicious, it's also quite sweet.
Modern Bubble Teas: A Mix of Tradition and Innovation
Recently, a new trend has emerged in Malaysia: bubble teas. These refreshing drinks are usually a mix of tea, artificial flavors, and milk, with chewy rubber balls floating in them. While my colleagues are big fans, I find them too sweet and filled with mystery ingredients that I'd rather do without. I've tried a couple, but I prefer keeping my bubble tea experiences to a minimum.
Throughout my journey exploring different milk teas, I've learned that there's a lot of variety and flavor in just one simple drink. Whether it's the traditional methods of making milk tea or the innovative twists, there's always something delicious and unique to try. And as I savor each sip, I'm reminded that each cup of milk tea is a small adventure in taste and tradition.
All pictures from Google searches except the picture of my breakfast.