Image Credit to: Dr Leslie Tay
The delectable teh halia (ginger tea) is a popular Malaysian drink that is widely consumed by the locals as the perfect breakfast drink. Whilst there are many variations of teh halia, which are also largely dependent on the location, the teh halia consumed by Southeast Asians are usually mixed with condensed milk or evaporated milk along with strong black tea.
All across Malaysia and Singapore, teh halia can be easily found in traditional coffee shops and the flavours are especially sweet as they will usually add a lot of condensed milk to the drink.Feel awakened and refreshed after consuming the teh halia that releases a strong aromatic smell that will ignite your senses.
The spicy taste of the ginger will be balanced by the sweet flavours of the condensed milk. By using ginger as an ingredient, it will surely enhance the flavours of the drink and also add a soothing and calming effect to your body. Teh halia was also said to bring some benefits to your health, such as improving digestion, helps with weight loss and also relieving nausea.
Ladies may even benefit from the teh halia as it was said to relieve menstrual cramps and bad period pains. Pair the delicious teh halia drink with either nasi lemak or roti canai for a hearty meal, the true Malaysian way.
Taste the delicious teh halia now by trying out the recipe below.
Ingredients (2 servings):
- 1 Tsp of Tea Powder
- 2 Cups of Plain Water
- 2 Inches of Fresh Ginger, Without Removing Skin
- 2 Tbsp of Condensed Milk
- Sugar (to taste)
Directions:
- Chop and grind the ginger until it is fully crushed. In a small pot, combine the crushed ginger, tea powder and water and then stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to simmer for around 10 minutes. Turn off the heat once it has been simmered.
- Add the condensed milk and sugar to taste then mix blend well. Pour the blend into a cup and then pour it into another cup by using a pulling method which will add a frothy layer on top of the drink. Once the foam is formed, pour the drink into a glass to be served. The drink is best served hot, paired with a breakfast meal, such as nasi lemak or even toast.
Note: To add more foam to the drink, try extending the ‘pulling method’ each time you pour the drink from one cup to another.