Ingredients
Tea
- 3 tbspstrong black tea leaves
- 600 mlwater
The egg
- 2egg yolks, from very fresh eggs, or pasteurised
- the whites of 1 egg, optional, for extra foam
To sweeten
- 3 tbspsweetened condensed milk
- or 2 tbsp sugar
To finish
- half a lime
- a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg, optional
Equipment
- a small whisk
- tall clear glasses
To serve
- hot, at a Padang coffee house
Directions
- Use very fresh eggs from a source you trust, or pasteurised eggs, which are widely sold and remove the concern entirely. Anyone pregnant, very young, elderly or immunocompromised should avoid raw egg, and this drink with it.
- Whisk hard and keep going for a good three to five minutes. The mixture must go from deep orange and liquid to pale, thick and mousse-like, roughly tripling in volume.
- Beat it until it falls from the whisk in a thick ribbon that sits on the surface for a moment. Under-whipped yolk gives a thin drink with a faint scum instead of a proper foam, and it also tastes eggy.
- Squeeze in a little lime juice as you whisk. Use a few drops rather than a wedge, since too much will curdle it.
- Pour the whipped yolk into a tall glass. Now pour the very hot tea in from a height, in a thin stream, straight into the middle.
- Pour from as high as you can manage. Do not stir it. Dust the top with cinnamon or nutmeg if you like.
- Serve it immediately, while the foam is high and the tea is hot.
Technique
- It is served in a clear glass so the layers are visible.
- Vendors pour from a considerable height to build the foam.
- Pasteurised eggs remove the raw egg concern entirely.
Substitutions
- Pasteurised egg yolks, which are widely sold.
- Strong coffee in place of tea, which is also drunk this way.
Variations
- Made with the whole egg for a bigger foam.
- Kopi talua, made with coffee.
- With cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
History
A Minangkabau drink of West Sumatra served in tall glasses at Padang coffee houses as a restorative.
Frequently asked questions
What is Teh Talua?
Teh Talua is a drink from Indonesia: strong tea whipped with raw egg yolk, sugar and lime into a foam. A Minangkabau drink of West Sumatra served in tall glasses at Padang coffee houses as a restorative.
How long does Teh Talua take to make?
Teh Talua takes 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking. The recipe makes 2 glasses. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Teh Talua?
Yes, within limits. Pasteurised egg yolks, which are widely sold. Strong coffee in place of tea, which is also drunk this way.
What is the most important thing to get right in Teh Talua?
Whisk hard and keep going for a good three to five minutes. The mixture must go from deep orange and liquid to pale, thick and mousse-like, roughly tripling in volume.
