Soup or Chai? - Po Cha, The Strange Tibetan Butter Tea
- Afrah F
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
Unlike your everyday chai, Tibetans drink a unique type of tea made with butter. It's made with the same tea leaves, but instead of sugar and milk, they add butter and salt. 'Po Cha' is a savoury butter tea made by the Tibetans up in the cold mountains. Some call it a soup, and it sure isn't everyone's cup of tea.
I saw a couple of videos of the traditional Tibetan Tea Ceremony and was super curious as to what it was. Here's everything you need to know about Po Cha.
What is Butter Tea (Po Cha)?
Butter tea - also known as Po Cha - is Tibet’s warm and comforting cuppa. Traditionally made with tea leaves, yak butter, salt, and water, it’s whisked into a creamy, frothy drink. It's not your usual cup of sweet chai. Butter tea is savoury, thick, and hearty - more of a nourishing soup for cold days than a typical tea. It’s been a staple in Tibetan homes for centuries and is now loved by curious travellers around the world.
Why do Tibetans Drink Butter Tea?
If you've ever done Everest Base Camp, or even further, you'll realise how tough climbing the Himalayas is, let alone living there. That’s why Tibetans drink butter tea daily - to stay warm, hydrated, and energised. It’s full of fat (from yak butter), which helps fight the cold, and the salt helps keep people hydrated at high altitudes.
Think of it as a local energy drink. Plus, sharing a cup of Po Cha is a symbol of hospitality in Tibetan homes - if you visit a friendly local's house, you’ll rarely leave without having one! You'll also find this yak butter tea at religious offerings and ceremonies.
Similar to the Chinese Tea Ceremony, there are etiquettes when serving and consuming Po Cha. These include holding the cup with your right hand and smelling the aroma before sipping the tea.
Is Butter Tea Healthy?
Yes, it's healthy—if you're in colder climates and high altitudes. Yak butter is full of calories and energy, and po tea has its own benefits. However, it's not recommended to drink Tibetan tea with butter if you're watching your fat intake.
Is Po Cha the same as Pu'Er Tea?
Yes and No. While the tea leaves are the same as Pu'Er tea, Po Cha is made with special brick tea leaves from Pemagul in Tibet and includes butter and salt, while Pu'Er Tea originates from Yunnan province, China. And is consumed plainly or with cow's milk. But you can make Po Cha using any black tea, including Assam and Ceylon tea.
Do Sherpas drink Butter Tea on Mount Everest?
Yes. Sherpas and local mountain climbers often drink Tibetan yak butter tea to stay warm and energised while trekking or working up in the cold mountains. It's also considered healthy for gut health.
When the wind howls and the air gets thin on Everest, a steaming cup of Po Cha is the go-to comfort drink.
Does Butter Tea Have Caffeine?
Yes, but not as much as coffee. Butter tea is made with black tea leaves, which naturally contain caffeine. So yes, it gives you a gentle lift without the jitters. Plus, the fat in the butter slows caffeine absorption, giving a longer, steadier energy boost - perfect for harsh climates or long days on the move.
What does Butter Tea taste like?
It tastes like a butter soup or broth. It also gives hints of salt lassi. Nothing like a traditional tea. It's salty, creamy and slightly earthy. Many Tibetans drink it for breakfast along with tsampa (a staple grain) made into hand-kneaded bread clumps. While it may sound strange, it gives a comforting warmth, almost like a unique savoury latte minus the sweetness. I would call it an acquired taste, especially if you don't like the salty and buttery taste.
The key to liking Butter Tea is convincing yourself that it's a soup and not really a tea.
What is Tibetan Sweet Tea?
Known as Qabadi, Tibetan Sweet Tea is the normal tea that we recognise. It's made with black tea and condensed milk, which gives it a creamy punch. Keep in mind that Tibetan Butter Tea (Po Cha) is not the same as Qabadi, and if you want to drink the sweet version, make sure to ask for it specifically.
How to make Butter Tea?
The traditional method of making Tibetan butter tea is long and difficult. The first step is a churning process in which the yak milk is added to a wooden churner and rigorously pounded to separate oil and water. This special butter is the key to a creamy Butter Tea. You probably would've come across the Tibetan Yak Butter making process videos on social media. It has become a tradition of their own, typically prepared by women.
Making Butter Tea at Home
If you haven't been to Tibet, or you so badly want to know the taste, this is how to make butter tea at home with simple ingredients. Keep in mind that this Tibetan tea with butter is just an alternative one, and not the authentic version.
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Unsalted Cow's Butter (the creamier, the better)
6g of Black Tea (Brick or Powder - we recommend Ceylon tea as the aroma is more fragrant)
4 Cups of Water for brewing
1/3 Cup Milk
1/4 Tsp Himalayan Salt (You can use iodised salt too)
Method:
Pour water and tea into a pot and let it boil for 3-5 minutes.
Take the tea off the heat and mix in salt, milk and butter.
Stir well until the butter is fully melted and strain the liquid with a sieve. At this point, you'll see a fat layer on the surface.
Now blend the liquid for about 20 seconds or more (this is to incorporate the fat layer into the beverage)
Serve while hot.
Where to find Butter Tea?
If you're looking for the authentic, traditional Tibetan Butter Tea, you can find flavoured instant Yak Butter Tea online. Though the taste almost resembles the original Tibetan Butter Tea, you need to visit the Himalayas for the real deal. This is where you can sit with the sherpas at a traditional home or restaurant and sip this uniquely made tea with a side of tsampa.
Conclusion
Po Cha may not be your typical tea, I myself prefer the sweet version, but it’s a taste of Tibetan tradition in every sip. More than just a drink, it’s warmth, energy, and culture wrapped into one cup. If you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try - you might just discover your new favourite comfort brew.
Commentaires