“Hi, I’ll have a yin yang.”
The kopitiam (coffee shop) worker behind the register responds with an apology for not understanding.
“One...ying yong. Sorry, yawn-yang.”
This time she turns to her coworker who’s taking a dab of butter from the base of a butter mountain, and spreading it heavily on a slice of thick toast. She whispers to her, and then they both shrug their shoulders.
I hear a sigh behind me and notice a vigorously tapping foot inching closer. I give into the pressure and point to the menu board, “I’ll just have that coffee-tea mix drink. Less sweet. Ice.”
She smiles, and nudges her coworker. “Ahhh, yuanyang!”
Every late afternoon in Singapore, when the post-lunch drowsiness settled in and the heat became too much, I would stop by a kopitiam and order an Iced Yuanyang for a much needed kick of caffeine. Each time, determinedly pronouncing my way into embarrassment before relenting with an explanation to finally get my favorite drink.
Favorite because it is one of the few things in life where you can drink down your indecision with utter satisfaction. Coffee or tea? I’ll take both!
Yuanyang 鸳鸯 is the best of two worlds – coffee & tea – with the creamy, sweetness of condensed or evaporated milk mixed in to balance the flavors.
For a healthier version at home now, I skip the condensed milk and instead mix fresh milk and little bit of sugar with our handcrafted yuanyang blend of premium Ceylon tea & espresso.
Enjoy the drink like you're in Hong Kong, by having it with an egg tart or other pastry. Or like you're in Malaysia or Singapore, with a slice of thick toast with butter and coconut jam, and a half boiled egg with soy sauce and white pepper.
Iced Yuanyang 鸳鸯 (Coffee-Tea Mix)
by Season With Spice
Ingredients:
About 1 tsp of Season with Spice's Yuanyang Coffee-Tea Mix
1-2 tsp of sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1 cup milk
Ice cubes
Method:
1. Add Yuanyang Coffee-Tea Mix and sugar into a mug or bowl. Add hot water in and stir well to fully dissolve.
2. Add in the milk, and stir well to combine.
3. Finally, pour yuanyang into a glass of ice. Enjoy!
Note:
-Yuanyang is most commonly made with sweetened condensed or evaporated milk, but milk & sugar work fine too.
by Season With Spice
Ingredients:
About 1 tsp of Season with Spice's Yuanyang Coffee-Tea Mix
1-2 tsp of sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1 cup milk
Ice cubes
Method:
1. Add Yuanyang Coffee-Tea Mix and sugar into a mug or bowl. Add hot water in and stir well to fully dissolve.
2. Add in the milk, and stir well to combine.
3. Finally, pour yuanyang into a glass of ice. Enjoy!
Note:
-Yuanyang is most commonly made with sweetened condensed or evaporated milk, but milk & sugar work fine too.
