Black Water Butter Tea

Black Water Butter Tea

　　Black Water Butter Tea is a specialty of Heishui County in the Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Butter tea is a liquid beverage primarily made from tea and mixed with various ingredients, resulting in a rich flavor that is salty yet fragrant, sweet with a hint of richness. It not only helps to warm the body and ward off the cold but also provides nourishment.

　　Tibetans regard tea as a divine substance. From historical kings known as "Zanpu" to monks in temples, from local chieftains to ordinary citizens, there’s a saying: “A day without tea leads to sluggishness; three days without tea leads to illness.” Since their diet consists largely of dairy and meat with limited vegetables and fruits, Tibetans rely on tea to accompany meals, making it an essential part of every meal.

　　The main ways Tibetans consume tea include butter tea, milk tea, salted tea, and plain tea. Survey results show that butter tea is the most popular method (averaging 73.9%), followed by milk tea.

　　Butter tea is a liquid beverage primarily made from tea and mixed with various ingredients, resulting in a rich flavor that is salty yet fragrant, sweet with a hint of richness. It not only helps to warm the body and ward off the cold but also provides nourishment.

　　How to make Heishui Butter Tea: First, boil the tea leaves until the liquid turns dark brown, then strain out the tea leaves. While the tea is still hot, pour the tea broth into a bucket containing butter and salt, then add fresh milk. Use a tea whisking tool to continuously stir the mixture in the bucket, ensuring the butter tea ingredients dissolve evenly into the tea. Then pour the mixture into a teapot and keep it warm over low heat for immediate drinking. It is rich in nutrients and serves as a health-promoting beverage.