"Teh tarik" a crowd-puller at Malaysia tourism pavilion in Dubai

DUBAI: "I'm very proud to be able to promote Malaysia to the world in my own special way," said Mior Sazali Mat Ali, whose skill at making "teh tarik" (literally pulled tea) is creating quite a stir at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2010 here.

His little stall may be tucked away at the back of the Malaysia Pavilion, but this has not stopped thousands of visitors to the Middle East's premier travel fair from making a beeline for a delicious cuppa.

With a poster of Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers serving as a backdrop, the 47-year-old Perakian can be seen "pulling" the tea mixture this way and that to the delight of the people who drop by at the pavilion.

"This is my second time in Dubai but this time around the response has been tremendous. I'm serving up to 1,500 cups a day," a pleased Mior Sazali said when met by Bernama. Teh tarik is a hot beverage that can be commonly found in restaurants, outdoor stalls and "kopitiam" in Malaysia.

Its name is derived from the pouring process of "pulling" the drink during preparation. It is made from tea, condensed milk and water. Mior Sazali's tea-making talent has not gone unnoticed as he has been regularly roped in by Tourism Malaysia for its promotional drives abroad.

"I've been to countries like Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and South Africa," said the winner of the 1995 Federal Territory Teh Tarik Competition who is heading for Mauritius next month.


"And I'm happy to be of service to the country," he added. He has been attached to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre since 1984.

The four-day ATM 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre ends today. -- Bernama