World Flavors Cookbook

Tsampa (Tibetan Roasted Barley)

Tibet's most fundamental food — roasted barley flour mixed with yak butter tea into a dough eaten by hand, sustaining life at extreme altitude.

Cuisine: China

Ingredients

• 1 cup tsampa (roasted barley flour)
• 1/2 cup hot yak butter tea (or strong black tea with butter)
• Dried yak cheese (optional)
• Sugar or honey (optional)

Instructions

1. Place tsampa flour in a bowl.
2. Pour hot butter tea gradually into the flour.
3. Mix and knead with your fingers inside the bowl.
4. Form into a ball or small pieces — the texture should be like soft dough.
5. Eat by pinching off pieces. Add cheese or sweetener as desired.