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Seven-layer tea
সাত রঙের চা (saat ronger cha): Srimangal's tea poured into seven coloured layers
Visitors to the tea gardens of Srimangal, in Sylhet's Moulvibazar district, queue at small tea cabins to see a glass of tea striped in seven distinct bands, from creamy white at the bottom to pale green-gold at the top. The original recipe is a closely guarded secret of the tea-maker who made it famous, but the principle is simple physics: each layer carries a different amount of sugar, so the heaviest sits at the bottom and the lightest floats on top. This home version uses condensed milk, green tea, strong black tea, milk tea, lemon tea, spiced tea and plain tea, and it is drunk slowly, layer by layer, with a long spoon. Pouring too fast is what ruins it; each layer should trickle down the inside of the glass over the back of a spoon. Chef's tip: let all the brews cool to warm, about 50 °C, so temperature differences don't stir the layers.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
Layer 1: condensed milk
- 2 ⅞ oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 ½ tbsp strong black tea, brewed
Layer 2: sweet green tea
- ¼ cup green tea, brewed pale
- 1 ⅜ oz sugar
Layer 3: dark tea
- ¼ cup strong black tea, brewed
- ⅞ oz sugar
Layer 4: milk tea
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 ½ tbsp strong black tea, brewed
- ⅜ oz sugar
Layer 5: lemon tea
- ¼ cup black tea, brewed light
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ oz sugar
Layer 6: spiced tea
- ⅛ oz sugar
Layer 7: plain tea
- ¼ cup green tea, brewed pale
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Brew the teas: about 280 ml strong black tea (strain off 80 ml with the cinnamon and cloves for layer 6 and brew a weaker 80 ml for layer 5), and 160 ml pale green tea.
10 minStep 2: Make each layer in its own cup: mix 2 ⅞ oz sweetened condensed milk with 2 ½ tbsp strong black tea, brewed; stir 1 ⅜ oz sugar into ¼ cup green tea, brewed pale; ⅞ oz sugar into ¼ cup strong black tea, brewed; ⅜ oz sugar into ¼ cup whole milk and 1 ½ tbsp strong black tea, brewed; ¼ oz sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice into ¼ cup black tea, brewed light; and ⅛ oz sugar into ¼ cup black tea, brewed with a cinnamon stick and 3 cloves. Stir until every grain of sugar has dissolved.
5 minStep 3: Leave all the cups and ¼ cup green tea, brewed pale to cool to about 122°F, warm but not hot.
10 minStep 4: Divide layer 1 between two tall, narrow glasses.
Step 5: Hold a teaspoon upside down against the inside of the glass just above the surface and pour layer 2 very slowly over the back of it, so it runs down the side; raise the spoon as the level rises.
5 minStep 6: Repeat with layers 3, 4, 5 and 6 in that order, pouring even more slowly each time, then finish with the plain green tea of layer 7 on top. Serve at once with long spoons.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 60 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does seven-layer tea take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 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 sweetened condensed milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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