As Malaysians, one thing we are all proud of is our food and beverages! It’s undeniable—Malaysian cuisine was ranked the 39th best in the world according to the 2022 TasteAtlas Awards!
Amazing, right?
The most iconic spot for foodies in Malaysia is our kopitiam. But what exactly is a kopitiam? The word “kopitiam” combines the Malay word kopi, meaning coffee, with the Hokkien word tiam, meaning shop. A direct translation would be "coffee shop".
And let’s not forget—the best part of a kopitiam is the drinks served there. Forget about Americanos or lattes; we have our own unique coffee styles, with slight differences that only Malaysians truly understand. But wait—does everyone know these differences?
Let’s take a quick refresher on the different types of coffee you’ll find in a Malaysian kopitiam!
Kopi, Kopi O, Kopi C: What's the difference?
Kopi is the classic coffee drink most people order at a kopitiam. It’s made with coffee and condensed milk, sometimes with added sugar. Another popular term is kaw- as in Kopi Kaw - which refers to a strong, concentrated coffee. In Hokkien, kaw means “thick” or “strong”.
Kopi C is made with coffee, evaporated milk, and sugar. The key difference between Kopi and Kopi C lies in the type of milk used.
This is similar to kopi C, but kosong (meaning "zero" in Malay) indicates no added sugar. Kopi C Kosong is made with coffee and evaporated milk only.
Kopi O is made with coffee and sugar—no condensed or evaporated milk.
Kopi O Kosong is simply black coffee with no sugar, making it the healthiest option among kopitiam coffee variations.
Picture credit to Malay Mail
Enough about coffee, now let’s discover about Tea choices in Malaysia’s Kopitiam.
Teh Peng, Cham Peng, Kopi Peng: Which is Healthier?
We can say that Malaysians are quite creative with drink combinations. Who would have thought that we could actually combine both coffee and tea together? Not only that, but it has also become one of the most iconic drinks in kopitiams.
Let’s explore the differences between these combinations. Wondering why there’s the word “peng”? The word “peng” means “ice” in Hokkien.
Teh Peng is made with black tea, condensed milk, and sugar. With the word peng, it means "Teh Ice" or "Iced Tea".
Kopi Peng is similar to kopi, made with black coffee, condensed milk, sugar, and additional ice.
This unique flavor combines black tea and coffee with condensed milk and sugar.
We all love to hang out or “lepak” at kopitiams, and there’s no excuse not to enjoy drinks in a healthier way there.
Now that you know the differences between each type of coffee and tea, the deciding factors for how healthy these drinks are lie in the quantity of condensed milk and sugar used. The best option is to replace condensed milk with evaporated milk or reduce the amount of sugar—simply request less sweetness when ordering your drinks.
Last but not least, for those sensitive to caffeine or struggling with poor sleep quality, teh peng is a better option for you! The key is moderation and making mindful choices. Tweak your order a little to make healthier beverage choices.
If you’re interested in more topics like this, don’t forget to reach out to our Vealth.me app assistant. Share your feedback or request more topics—we look forward to hearing from you!
Chinese New Year is just around the corner! It’s a festive season, and soon after CNY, we have Ramadan, followed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri! These two big celebrations in Malaysia are quite close together. Malaysians love expressing their affection for family and friends through food. However, overeating during or after festive seasons can lead to health issues.
Since Chinese New Year falls in January, many are still holding on to their New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight or eating healthily—it’s too early to give up, right?
Don’t worry; Vealthme is here to help! We’ve got some healthy eating tips to keep you on track with your resolutions and avoid overindulging this Chinese New Year. The key is moderation, but how do you achieve it?
Here are CONFIRMED-WORK tips to enjoy the festivities while maintaining a balanced approach to eating.
Have a light, balanced snack beforehand
Avoid overeating by having a small, healthy snack before visiting family or friends. For example, enjoy a mandarin orange or a handful of nuts to curb hunger.
Survey the food options
Open houses often feature an array of tempting dishes. Prioritize your favorites and skip sampling everything. If you want to try a variety, take small bites.
Focus on quality over quantity
Savor a few bites of indulgent dishes instead of piling your plate high. Avoid being “greedy” to prevent overeating.
Don’t forget your veggies
Vegetables are high in fiber and low in calories, making them a great option to fill your plate first. Add creative options like stir-fried broccoli, mushrooms, or a veggie platter yee sang.
Track your sugary desserts
Desserts like nian gao and kuih kapit are festive staples. Limit yourself to 1-2 pieces to save room for other treats.
Portion out popular snacks
Snacks like pineapple tarts or bak kwa can be easy to overeat while chatting. Portion out 2-3 pieces at a time to avoid mindless munching.
Eat slowly to savor each bite
Eating slowly improves digestion and nutrient absorption while helping regulate appetite. It also gives your body time to signal when you’re full.
Incorporate more fruits and whole grains
After the festivities, balance out the sweets with a variety of fruits and whole grains.
Plan ahead for exercise
Light activities like walking or yoga can help you rebalance your routine and burn off those extra calories.
Stay Smart, Eat Mindfully This Snake Year and lither into Healthier Choices this CNY 2025!
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