Yak

Dairy

Yak

Yak butter is a high-altitude dairy fat of the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau—often stronger, sometimes smoked or tea-churned into po cha (butter tea). Texture and flavour differ from mild lowland cow butter; cultural use is central. Traditional butter tea, tsampa, and lamp fuel contexts differ from Western baking. Specialty import blocks exist for Himalayan cuisine. Respect cultural preparation methods when cooking Tibetan and related dishes.

Also known as: Tibet

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Characteristics

Preparations

ChilledCookedIn Tea

Traits

Cultural StapleHigh AltitudePlateauRichStrongYak

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 157

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 9.88 g
  • Saturated Fat 6.29 g
  • Trans Fat 0.3 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 2.89 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.31 g
  • Cholesterol 31.1 mg
  • Sodium 76.2 mg
  • Salt 0.21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 4.98 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 5.01 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 7.86 g
  • Water 71.2 g
Detailed nutrients

Yak of Butter: composition reflects this culinary part relative to the whole ingredient.

History

Yak herding cultures of the high plateau depended on yak butter for calories and tea.

CN

Yak butter tea remained central to Tibetan and Himalayan daily life.

Yak butter reached specialty import and diaspora cooking markets.

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