Tibetan Butter Tea
Blog Entry: Thursday 09 Sep 2010
Tibetan Butter Tea. Image by Boggie 2006.
Butter tea was introduced into Tibetan society earlier than the tenth century, and has since become an important part of tibetan daily life. It is traditionally made from tea leaves, yak butter, and salt.
Drinking butter tea is a regular part of Tibetan life. Before work, a Tibetan will typically down several bowlfuls of this tangy beverage, and it is always served to guests. Nomads are said to often drink up to 40 cups of it a day. Since butter is the main ingredient, butter tea is a very warming drink, providing lots of energy (calories) and is particularly suited to high altitudes. The butter also helps prevent chapped lips.
To make the best butter-tea, the tea is first boiled for half a day, till it gets dark brown. After being skimmed, it is shaken several times in the cylinder with some fresh yak butter and salt.
If you want to try butter tea for yourself, this recipe from Tibetanlife.com shows you how to create a simpler version.
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