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Teh talua (egg tea)
Teh talua: egg yolk and sugar beaten to a pale foam, topped with strong hot tea and a squeeze of lime
In the lapau coffee shops of Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh and Padang, the sound of a spoon or a small whisk clattering against a glass means someone has ordered teh talua. A raw egg yolk, traditionally from a free-range kampung hen or a duck, is whisked with sugar until thick and almost white, strong hot tea is poured on from a height, and a wedge of lime goes on the side. Minangkabau men drink it in the late afternoon or evening as a pick-me-up after work in the fields. It comes out with a creamy, caramel-coloured body under a deep layer of foam, rich like a light custard, with the lime cutting any eggy edge. The common mistake is whisking too little: the yolk stays yellow, the tea curdles it in strings and it smells of egg. Beat until the yolk has doubled in volume and falls in a thick ribbon. Use pasteurised eggs for anyone pregnant, babies and small children, older people or anyone unwell, as the yolk is only lightly warmed. Some lapau add condensed milk; this one is dairy-free. It contains caffeine. Chef's tip: pour the tea in a thin stream from high up while still stirring, to build the tallest foam.
- Total time
- 11 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 1
Ingredients
For one glass
- 1 egg yolkvery fresh; pasteurised for vulnerable people
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp loose black teaor 2 tea bags
- ¾ cup water
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bring ¾ cup water to the boil, add 2 tsp loose black tea and simmer over low heat until very dark and strong, then strain and keep it very hot.
3 minStep 3: Holding the jug of hot tea high, pour it in a thin stream into the glass while you keep stirring, until the foam rises to the top.
1 minStep 4: Serve straight away with the 1 lime wedge to squeeze in, and drink while hot and foamy.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does teh talua (egg tea) take?
- About 11 minutes in total: 8 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 1 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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