Teh C Peng Special or Three Layer Tea Sarawak

Teh C Peng / Teh Si Special / 3 Layer Tea Sarawak

Teh C Peng or Teh Si Special is the local favourite drink that you can find throughout Sarawak, land of the Hornbill which some still call Borneo. Other known names for this unique drink are Teh Si Ping Special or 3 Layer Tea. For the record, Teh is the local work for Tea and pronounced as Tey.

Teh C Peng is a unique combination of brown sugar, evaporated milk and red tea which is a local specialty at cafes and coffee shops throughout the largest state in Malaysia. It is now becoming a common drink served throughout Sarawak and recently hitting the other states in Malaysia. Especially in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya where it is commonly known as Three Layer Tea.

Teh C Peng Special - Wat it looks like in general

Teh C Peng - How did this this craze start? Not an accurate answer but from what I read and asked around my Kuching friends, they say it started at the 7th Mile food court at an area known as Taman Sentosa. The time line for this drink is still uncertain. However I understand that some states like Penang are trying to be different and have 5 Layer Tea and so on. Oh well.

Then......F&N Malaysia decides to market this drink here in West Malaysia. I suspect someone in F&N is from Sarawak. Who knows. But again, let me just tell you that the F&N 3 Layer Tea is really hopeless. They supply the formula but the mamaks, restaurants or coffee shops make them and there is absolutely no consistency at all. So, I just do not bother ordering it here in PJ or KL. Most of the time, it is just too sweet or the tea is too light. Sometimes, I think certain things are best left where they are.

Teh C Peng Special - Pandan Green 3 layer tea

Throughout my travels around Sarawak, I had the pleasure of trying out many types of Teh C Peng Specials and the best was found in the town of Miri. I forgot the name of the coffee shop, but it was near the wet market. They served an awesome Teh C Peng Special. With Pandan Sugar so the drink has a nice greenish colour and pandan taste when you mix it all up. Most absolutely wonderful taste I have had since I started drinking the TehCPeng back in 2005.

Teh C Peng Special - With Cincau (black jelly)

Also in Miri town, I was taken back at another coffee shop where they served me Teh C Cincau Peng. Ok, sounds gross, but it was really nice. For the foreigners, This is tea with evaporated milk and black jelly. Talk about being creative with the teas in Sarawak.

Teh C Peng Special - Lachau special

This Teh C Peng above is from the town called Lachau. It is a small Iban trade post where if you blink while you drive pass, you will miss the town completely. I always make a stop there for my fix of Teh C Peng from the end coffee shop. Though it doesn't look grand, they serve one of the best in Sarawak in my opinion. Simple and down to earth.

Teh C Peng Special - minus the ice

And last, we have the Teh C Panas Special. Without the ice and gula melaka (brown sugar) but with a nice froth, warm tea drinkers will love this! If I do come across any other unique teas, I will sure to post them here. So, if you are out there looking for a nice tea drink, do ask if they have anything special as you never know what they might create.

~ jrhogan

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