Why do Tibetans drink butter tea?

“Nomadic people drink it because they’re outside a lot and it keeps them warm,” says Tibet resident Jamin ‘Lobsang’ York. “It gives them energy, fat, and calories.” But contrary to popular belief, not all Tibetans drink butter tea on a daily basis.

What tea do Tibetans drink?

Yak butter tea
Yak butter tea is often referred to as the national drink of Dhorje’s homeland, Tibet. Tibetans drink it all day long — up to 60 cups a day, it’s said — though they’re not the only ones who enjoy it: It’s consumed in countries throughout the Himalayas.

What is Tibetan butter tea called?

Po cha
Butter tea, known as Po cha in Tibet, is made from churning tea, salt and yak butter. The tea used is a particularly potent, smoky type of brick tea from Pemagul, Tibet. A portion of this brick tea is crumbled into water and boiled for hours to produce a smoky, bitter brew called chaku.

Where did butter tea originated?

Traditionally, it is made from tea leaves, yak butter, water, and salt, although butter made from cow’s milk is increasingly used, given its wider availability and lower cost. Butter tea likely originated in the Himalayan region between Greater Tibet and the Indian subcontinent.

Where does yak butter tea come from in Tibet?

Yi has been living in Langmusi for 12 years and organizes tours into the homes of nomadic Tibetan families. These families depend on their herds of yak and sheep for a living, selling the butter instead of using it for tea in their own homes. “The saltiest tea comes from the Amdo area.

Where does the salt in yak butter come from?

“The saltiest tea comes from the Amdo area. When the temperature drops in the wintertime, the tea gets saltier.” According to Tsehua, a Tibetan nomad who grew up in the grasslands of Honyuan in Amdo, yaks only produce milk for a small portion of the year, making the butter an even more in-demand commodity.

What kind of tea does a Tibetan monk drink?

Tibetan Monk churning butter tea. A monk pours butter tea in Tashilhunpo Monastery, Tibet. Drinking butter tea is a regular part of Tibetan life. Before work, a Tibetan will typically enjoy several bowlfuls of this beverage, and it is always served to guests.

Why do Tibetans drink butter tea every day?

Butter tea has become a necessity in this climate, where the air is brutally thin and cold. “Nomadic people drink it because they’re outside a lot and it keeps them warm,” says Tibet resident Jamin ‘Lobsang’ York. “It gives them energy, fat, and calories.” But contrary to popular belief, not all Tibetans drink butter tea on a daily basis.