Matt Stirn

Photographer

On The Trail of Teh Tarik

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Biography: Matt is a photojournalist and archaeologist based between Jackson Hole and Boston. Working alongside field researchers and nonprofit organizations, he currently writes and photographs articles related to culture, history, and conservation for... MORE

teh tarik, or pulled tea, the n...nd staple of Malaysian culture

1 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

teh tarik, or pulled tea, the national drink of Malaysia. Teh Tarik is a mix of strong black tea, sugar, and condensed milk which is 'pulled' through the air to aerate and froth the drink. First introduced to Malaysia by south Indian immigrants offering cheap food to Chinese laborers, teh tarik is now a symbol and staple of Malaysian culture

Tourists and Hindu devotees wal...tue towers above the entrance.

2 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

Tourists and Hindu devotees walk up the multicoulored stairs of the Batu Caves Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Sri Murugan Swami statue towers above the entrance.

A freshly picked green tea leaf... in a traditional Tudor style.

3 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A freshly picked green tea leaf at the Boh tea estate in the Cameron Highlands of central Malaysia. These mountains rise to over 6,000 feet in elevation and offer ideal conditions to grow tea. Many of the plantations were founded by British traders who felt the temperate climate of the highlands was similar to the British Isles. Because of the British influence, many of the Malay villages near the tea plantations still build houses and hotels in a traditional Tudor style.

A tea vendor in George Town, Pe...nd staple of Malaysian culture

4 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A tea vendor in George Town, Penang, makes teh tarik, or pulled tea, the national drink of Malaysia. Teh Tarik is a mix of strong black tea, sugar, and condensed milk which is 'pulled' through the air to aerate and froth the drink. First introduced to Malaysia by south Indian immigrants offering cheap food to Chinese laborers, teh tarik is now a symbol and staple of Malaysian culture

A frothy, delicous, cup of teh ...oti stands across the country.

5 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A frothy, delicous, cup of teh tarik at a roti cennai stand in Malacca, Malaysia. Teh tarik or pulled tea, the national drink of Malaysia, is a potent mix of black tea, sugar, and condensed milk and is 'pulled' through the air to aeorate and froth. The beverage was introduced to Malaysia by South Indian immigrants and continues to be a staple of Malaysian cuisine and culture at roti stands across the country.

A tea vendor in George Town, Pe...nd staple of Malaysian culture

6 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A tea vendor in George Town, Penang, makes teh tarik, or pulled tea, the national drink of Malaysia. Teh Tarik is a mix of strong black tea, sugar, and condensed milk which is 'pulled' through the air to aerate and froth the drink. First introduced to Malaysia by south Indian immigrants offering cheap food to Chinese laborers, teh tarik is now a symbol and staple of Malaysian culture

Locals gather at a curry and ro...like this throughout the city.

7 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

Locals gather at a curry and roti restaurant in Kuala Lumpur's Little India. The food scene in KL is currently exploding and spectacular Chinese, Malay, and Indian dishes can be found in small informal restaurants like this throughout the city.

Rickshaws from the early 1900&#... Town, Penang Island, Malaysia

8 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

Rickshaws from the early 1900's sit outside of the Blue Mansion Hotel in George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia

On The Trail of Teh Tarik

9 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A tea vendor makes teh tarik, o...nd staple of Malaysian culture

10 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A tea vendor makes teh tarik, or pulled tea, the national drink of Malaysia. Teh Tarik is a mix of strong black tea, sugar, and condensed milk which is 'pulled' through the air to aerate and froth the drink. First introduced to Malaysia by south Indian immigrants offering cheap food to Chinese miners, teh tarik is now a symbol and staple of Malaysian culture

The rolling hills of the Camero... in a traditional Tudor style.

11 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

The rolling hills of the Cameron Valley Tea estate in the Cameron Highlands of central Malaysia. These mountains rise to over 6,000 feet in elevation and offer ideal conditions to grow tea. Many of the plantations were founded by British traders who felt the temperate climate of the highlands was similar to the British Isles. Because of the British influence, many of the Malay villages near the tea plantations still build houses and hotels in a traditional Tudor style.

A man rides his bicycle in Mala...ft over from Chinese New Year.

12 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

A man rides his bicycle in Malacca, Malaysia under red lanterns left over from Chinese New Year.

The Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang...es and was built in the 1890s.

13 of 13 © 2024 Matt Stirn

The Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang, Malaysia. The Kek Lok Si Temple is one of Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temples and was built in the 1890s.

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Public Story

On The Trail of Teh Tarik

Copyright Matt Stirn 2024

Date of Work Feb 2019 - Feb 2019

Updated May 2022

Location Malaysia

Topics Agriculture, Buddhism, Community, Culture, Culture stories, Food, Happiness, Hinduism, Immigration, International Stories, Journalism, Lifestyle, Malaysia, Photography, Pulled tea, Tea, Teh tarik, Travel, World heritage

Summary

Teh Tarik, the unofficial national beverage of Malaysia is a growing symbol for tolerance and cultural diversity.

Teh Tarik, the unofficial national beverage of Malaysia stems from a complex history of colonialism and a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British influences. Today, the drink is used as a metaphor for bringing together different cultures and ideas to foster a movement of understanding and generostiy. On a two week road trip up the western coast of Malaysia, I followed this history of teh tarik and explored why it has become such an influential aspect in Malaysian culture. Published with the BBC in January 2022.

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