At the table
Sip warm in small amounts. It can accompany tsampa; ask about the accompaniments separately.
Contains milk-derived butter and caffeine. Do not assume the butter is dairy-free.
Butter may come from yak, cow or sheep milk. Tea strength, butter quantity and saltiness vary.
Know what you’re trying.
Prepared butter tea; no fixed brand, serving size or strength.
Ingredients
Brick tea, Tibetan dairy butter, salt and water.
Origin & regional roots
Tibet
Associated with Tibet.
About this regional connection
Tibet: Traditional salted butter tea in Tibet.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有酥油茶吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Tea blended with butter
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Boiled tea is churned with butter and salt until the fat disperses through the liquid. Often served with tsampa, it is part of Tibetan everyday meals and hospitality. Expect a rich savoury drink rather than Lhasa sweet tea.