Laphet Yay (Burmese Milk Tea)
Local name: လက်ဖက်ရည်
In short: Strong black tea brewed dark and sweetened with condensed and evaporated milk, pulled between cups until frothy, as served in Burmese tea shops. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 130 kcal
Laphet yay is the milk tea that fuels Myanmar's tea shops, where people meet in the morning and afternoon over a cup and a plate of samosas or fried bread. The tea is brewed strong and dark, then mixed with a little sweetened condensed milk for sweetness and evaporated milk for creaminess. Tea shop cooks pull it between two pitchers to cool it and give it a light froth, and you can do the same at home.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea leaves, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until the tea is very dark.
- Strain the tea through a fine sieve or cloth into a jug.
- Divide the condensed milk and evaporated milk between 2 cups and stir in the salt if using.
- Pour the hot tea into the cups, stirring well to blend.
- For the tea shop finish, pour the tea back and forth between two cups or jugs from a height 3 or 4 times until it is lightly frothy. Taste and sweeten if you like, then serve hot.
Tips
- Use a strong, robust black tea, such as Assam or a CTC tea. Delicate teas get lost under the milk.
- For a less sweet cup, use 2 tablespoons of condensed milk and 4 tablespoons of evaporated milk. For iced milk tea, cool the brew first and pour it over ice.
Questions and answers
What tea is used for Burmese milk tea?
A strong black tea such as Assam or a small-leaf CTC tea. The leaves are simmered, not just steeped, so the tea is dark and bold.
Can I use fresh milk instead of condensed and evaporated milk?
You can, but the tea will taste lighter and less rich. Use 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) of whole milk and 2 tablespoons of sugar per cup.
What do you eat with Burmese milk tea?
Fried snacks such as samosas, fried dough, or flaky bread. It is usually part of a tea shop breakfast or afternoon break.
How long does it take to make Laphet Yay (Burmese Milk Tea)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Laphet Yay (Burmese Milk Tea)?
About 130 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 130 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
