When you find yourself wandering the vibrant streets of Penang, Malaysia, especially around the area of Georgetown, there’s a refreshingly unique local beverage that’s a must-try. It’s called “Ais Tingkap,” and it’s a drink that not only cools you down in Penang’s tropical climate but also provides a delightful burst of flavours and textures.
The Ingredients
Ais Tingkap is a colourful concoction that combines several ingredients to create a refreshing experience. The main components include:
– Rose Syrup: Ais Tingkap gets its vibrant hue and sweet floral notes from rose syrup. This adds a touch of exoticism to the drink and a beautiful red-pink color.
– Basil Seeds: These tiny black seeds have a mild, earthy flavour and give the drink a pleasant texture as they expand when soaked.
– Jelly Cubes: Colourful cubes of agar jelly are included, creating a fun and chewy element in the drink.
– Coconut flesh: This provides a great sweet and creamy taste to the drink overall.
– Shaved Ice: Of course, it wouldn’t be an “Ais” (meaning “ice” in Malay) without a generous amount of shaved ice to keep it cool and refreshing.
The Preparation
The making of Ais Tingkap is an art form in itself. The vendor assembles all the ingredients meticulously, ensuring a delightful mix of colours and textures. It’s like a work of art in a glass, as the rose syrup beautifully blends with the basil seeds and jelly cubes, all glistening under the mound of shaved ice.
The Experience
Ais Tingkap offers a sensory journey. The moment you take your first sip, you’re greeted with a burst of sweet, floral notes from the rose syrup. The basil seeds provide a textural element, similar to tiny tapioca pearls. And the jelly cubes offer a chewy, almost playful contrast. The shaved ice melts in your mouth, bringing everything together and providing a cool respite from Penang’s tropical heat.
Where to try it
There’s only one place. It is the famous stall in Georgetown that has been operating since 1919! Originally opened by their great great grandfather and now being run by the fourth (or is it fifth) generation. Apparently, they are still using the same recipe. Now that is culture, heritage and history!
Getting there:
Google Maps Location link: click here
