Substitutes for yak butter in butter tea

I'm interested in making the sort of butter tea drunk in the Himalayan regions. However, one of its key ingredients, yak butter, is not commonly available in Europe where I live. What can I substitute it with such that my butter tea will taste as close as possible to the Himalayan original?

The shops here sell butter made from cow's milk, goat's milk, and (rarely) buffalo milk. Which of these three, if any, would most closely match the flavour profile of yak butter? I understand that yak butter has a very high fat content, so is there any way I could process the cow/goat/buffalo butter, or anything else I could add to the butter tea, to raise the fat content?

Best Answer

Based on how I remember it from when I lived in Nepal, buffalo milk butter would be the best substitute. In fact, given the popularity of water buffalo as herd animals in the Kathmandu Valley, it's even a local alternative there.

Goat butter isn't any more like yak butter than cow butter is, and is generally more expensive. Your ideal among cow butters would be some brand of cultured butter, which you could even make yourself. This will give you some of the funky flavors in the homemade yak butters that Tibetans traditionally use.

Also make sure to have the right kind of tea. And yes, it's supposed to be that salty.

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Quick Answer about "Substitutes for yak butter in butter tea"

black tea or 3 black tea bags. 1 tbsp. butter (yak butter if available, otherwise grass fed cow butter or ghee) 1/4 cup whole fat milk or 1/6 cup half and half.

What unexpected ingredient is added to tea in Tibet?

According to legend, a Chinese princess married a king of Tibet which later helped establish trade routes between China and Tibet. These trade routes brought tea into Tibet from China. Later, butter was added to the tea that was brought from China as butter is and was a staple in Tibetan cuisine.

How do you make Tibet butter tea?

Steps

In a medium sauce pan bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

Add 3-4 bricks of tea, and bring down to a simmer.

Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes (can be simmered longer if desired to create a concentrate called Chaku)

Stir in creamer and salt and bring back to a boil.

Place butter in bottom of French Press.

Is butter tea good for weight loss?

It may sound strange, but butter tea does benefit in losing weight. When butter tea is drunk in moderate quantities, it suppresses the appetite and also helps to burn more fat as energy. The caffeine present in butter tea works as a type of stimulant which boosts metabolism without causing you to feel hungry.

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.

How To Make Tibetan Butter Tea

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