Suutei Tsai (Mongolian Salted Milk Tea)
Local name: Сүүтэй цай
In short: Black tea simmered with whole milk and a pinch of salt, aerated by pouring from a height. The warming everyday drink of every Mongolian home. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 100 kcal
Suutei tsai is the first thing offered to any guest in a Mongolian home, and the last thing before leaving. Tea is simmered with plenty of milk and a little salt, and then ladled and poured back into the pot until it turns frothy. The result tastes savory and soft, closer to a light broth than to sweet milk tea. In winter it is often drunk with fried dough or bread and sometimes with rice or millet stirred in.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Add the tea and simmer over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until the water is dark.
- Pour in the milk and bring it back to a gentle simmer, stirring so a skin does not form. Do not let it boil over.
- Ladle the tea up and pour it back into the pot from a height of 30 cm (12 in) several times, for 1 to 2 minutes, until frothy.
- Stir in the salt, and the butter or cream if using. Taste and add more salt if you like.
- Strain into bowls or cups and serve hot.
Tips
- Mongolian tea is often made from a pressed tea brick. Loose black tea gives a close result, and a stronger, darker tea suits it best.
- To make it a light meal, add 2 tablespoons of cooked rice or roasted millet to each bowl.
Questions and answers
Is suutei tsai sweet?
No. It is salted, not sweetened, and tastes savory, mild and a little creamy.
Can I make it with plant milk?
You can use unsweetened oat or soy milk, but the flavor and froth will be different. Use less salt at first and taste.
Can I make a big batch?
Yes. Keep it warm in a thermos for several hours. Reheat gently and do not boil it hard, or the milk will separate.
How long does it take to make Suutei Tsai (Mongolian Salted Milk Tea)?
About 20 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Suutei Tsai (Mongolian Salted Milk Tea)?
About 100 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 340 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
