How Fermented Tea Leaves Are Used in Burmese Cooking
Lahpet is intensely flavored, so successful dishes build contrast around it rather than using it like a large-volume leafy green.
Build contrast
Fermented tea leaves bring savory, tangy and lightly bitter notes. Pairing them with crisp cabbage, juicy tomato, peanuts, sesame, fried garlic and crunchy legumes spreads that intensity through the whole bite.
Dress late
Keep crunchy elements separate until close to serving. Once dressed, the salad is most compelling while the fried and roasted components still contrast with the softer tea leaves and vegetables.
Taste before adding salt or acid
Prepared lahpet products vary, so season after tasting the tea leaf mixture instead of assuming every package needs the same amount of salt, lime or oil.