The short answer
We found no published lab measurement of sugar in freshly made mamak teh tarik. Homage gives a media estimate of 26 g per typical glass, with no method stated. That is an estimate, not a measured mamak serving. Published figures for instant powders describe different products. Keep those labels attached.
The honest answer has a gap in it.
In April 2023, WHO WPRO’s Malaysia notice said data on sugar quantities in these beverages were unavailable. A study covering mamak drinks was later presented at a seminar, but the September 2026 report included no figures.
We found no published figure for a freshly made mamak teh tarik. A presentation does not fill that blank.
Grams where available. Calories labelled as calories. No mystery conversions.
| What | Published figure | Who and how |
|---|---|---|
| Typical teh tarik glass | 26 g sugar; 177 calories; media estimate | Homage blog; no method or glass size stated |
| Regular kopi | Up to 24 g sugar; media estimate | Homage blog; no method stated |
| Sirap bandung | Up to 32 g sugar; media estimate | Homage blog; no method stated |
| Sweetened condensed milk | Up to 45% sugar; about 10% milk | Public Health Malaysia post via Kosmo; media claim |
| BOH Teh Tarik Original instant powder | 71.8 g sugar per 100 g | UiTM paper; package-label data, not lab measurement |
| Instant tea powders | 36.33 to 75.67 g sugar per 100 g | USM thesis; HPLC analysis in a study of 34 pre-packaged instant drinks |
| Daily sugar reference | Under 10% of daily energy; 7.5 teaspoons for 1,500 calories | Health Minister, October 2023; Vibes/Bernama report |
| Freshly made mamak teh tarik | No published figure found | WHO WPRO notice, April 2023 |
The powder findings belong to powders. The Homage figure belongs to a blog estimate. Neither supplies a lab result for the glass at your mamak.
The SAYS ordering guide defines teh tarik as tea with condensed milk, pulled between cups.
| Word | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Kosong | “Empty” in Malay; the ordering word for no sugar |
| Kurang manis | “Less sweet” in Malay |
| Siu dai (siew dai) | Less sugar |
| O | Black, with sugar; teh O means tea with sugar |
| C | Evaporated milk and sugar; teh C means tea with evaporated milk and sugar |
A ready-to-say order:
“Teh tarik kurang manis, please.”
That means “less sweet”. We found no published gram figure for the result. The order comes with words, not a lab certificate.
No source we opened says whether “kosong” or “kurang manis” changes the condensed milk in teh tarik. The only source on “kurang manis”, Homage (a blog that cites no study), says the sugar taken out with "kurang manis" can be negligible.
None of these supplies the missing mamak lab figure.
Sweetened condensed milk contains sugar. A Public Health Malaysia post reported by Kosmo says sugar can reach up to 45%, with milk only 10%. That is a media claim about the ingredient, not a lab result on a finished glass. The Star also noted that it contains sugar despite being called milk.
The Health Minister’s October 2023 statement, reported by Bernama, gives no more than 7.5 teaspoons for a daily requirement of 1,500 calories, with sugar below 10% of daily calorie needs.
A study covering mamak drinks was presented at the seminar reported in September 2026. That report published no figures. We found no published lab measurement for a freshly made mamak glass.