“Four Treasures” of Tibetan Food

As a nationality which living on high plateau, Tibetan has its specific foods and diet habits.

The ghee, tea, tsamba, beef and mutton are regarded as the "four treasures" of Tibetan food. Except the four treasures, there are barley wine and various dairy products.

"Four Treasures" of Tibetan Food – Ghee

Ghee is extracted from milk and goat's milk. The way to extract ghee in Tibet is very simple. First, heat up the milk; then, put it into a big bucket, and whip it heavily for hundreds times, until the oil separate from water; after that, take up the light yellow fattiness on the surface and put it into leather bag. After it becoming cold, it is ghee. The ghee is with rich nutrient values. The way to eat ghee is various, but the main use is to make butter tea.

"Four Treasures" of Tibetan Food – Tea

Tea is greatly loved by Tibetans, which also named "the nationality which most love tea". Tibetans can not leave tea what is fish can not leave water, that is the real reflection of the inseparable relationship between Tibetan and tea, also show the special status of tea in Tibetan life. Tea is made up into several kinds in Tibet. The most common see is butter tea, sweet tea and plain tea. On the high plateau, no matter you are hungry or worn out, you will be powerful after you drinking a cup of butter tea. If you appear high altitude sickness after reaching high plateau, Tibetans will advise you drink some butter tea, and then some symptoms will disappear. From this, we can see the wonders of butter tea.

When visitors come to visit Tibetan family, the host will fist present you a cup of butter tea. The host will first take out clean bowl from colorful Tibetan style cupboard, and put it on the desk before guests. Then, take out a bottle of hot butter tea, shake it for several times, and then pour it into the bowl before guests. At last, present the bowl to gusts with two ands. When guests drink butter tea, the host will stand on aside, and add the butter tea for guests after them drink it. The host will keep the butter tea in guests' bowl is full and warm.

Before drinking butter tea, guests will use the third finger of right hand to take a little butter tea, and sprinkle for three times toward sky. When drink butter tea, guests should not be too fast or quick. Guests should first slightly blow the oil slick on the surface, and drink it for several times. When there is half on the bowl, guests should drink it after host adding it to full.

"Four Treasures" of Tibetan Food – Tsamba

Tsamba is an important food of Tibetan. The making process of tsamba is very simple. First, dry up the barley and fry it. Then, grind it into flour. That will be prepared tsamba. When eat tsamba, put the barley flour into a bowl, add a little butter tea, use thumb to fix the bowl while other fingers to mix it. After the butter tea and tsamba fully mixed, pinch it into dollop and eat.

"Four Treasures" of Tibetan Food – Dried Meat

Dried meat is a very special food in Tibet. When the temperature in the end of the year is below zero, cut beef and mutton into shreds, and hang them in shade places to let it naturally dried by cold wind. When have it in February or March in next year, the meat quality is very crisp, and taste is very special. It will give you infinite taste.