Po cha

Po cha (pocha, bocha, cha süma) or butter tea is the most typical Tibetan drink. It is also drank by people of Bhutan and Chinese minorities in southwestern China. People have been drinking it for over 1,000 years.

It is made of tea leaves, yak butter and salt. Butter makes it a very good source of energy for people living at high altitude. That is why ordinary Tibetans drink up to 40 cups of this tea every day. Po cha is usually served in clay pots or jars. This drink is often poured on or mixed with Tibetan dish known as tsampa.

It is Tibetan custom to drink butter tea in separate sips. The host refills the cup after each sip. There are people claiming that po cha can help prevent dry lips.