Tibetan Butter Tea: A Warm and Salty Drink from the Plateau

Butter tea, known as "su you cha" in Chinese, is a traditional drink from Tibet. It has been a part of Tibetan life for over a thousand years. Tibet is cold and high up, and locals needed a drink that could keep them warm and give them energy. Butter tea does exactly that. It's made with tea leaves, yak butter, and salt. For Tibetans, it's not just a drink, it's a symbol of hospitality. When you visit a Tibetan home, they will offer you butter tea as a sign of welcome.

How It's Made

Making butter tea is a simple but specific process.

1. Brewing the tea: Brick tea (compressed tea leaves) is boiled in water until it becomes dark and strong.

2. Churning: The tea is poured into a wooden churn. Salt and yak butter are added. The mixture is churned vigorously until the butter and tea blend into a smooth, creamy liquid.

3. Serving: The tea is poured into small bowls and served hot.

What It's Like

Butter tea is different from any tea you've had before. It's salty, not sweet. It's thick and rich, like a warm soup. The yak butter gives it a creamy, slightly gamey taste that takes some getting used to. For Tibetans, it's comfort in a cup. It warms you from the inside and gives you the energy to get through the day.