Tsampa (Tibetan flour) : La Tsampa (Tibetan: རྩམ་པ་, Wylie: rtsam pa) is the Tibetan name for the barley flour from Tibet grilled.
It is the traditional staple food in Tibet, in the same way as rice in the South-East of China or wheat in northern China. It occupies a significant place in Tibetan food and culture. Thus in 1959, a call for resistance appeared in the newspaper Miroir du Tibet, published in India, addressed to "all tsampa eaters" and not to Tibetans, as the barley flour grilled is symbolic of Tibetan identity.
Traditionally, tsampa, which comes in the form of all-purpose flour, is diluted with your fingers in a bowl with a little tea au butter (酥油茶), composed of hot tea with added salt, butter de yak andbarley of Tibet. The dough of cereal more or less firm thus obtained can then be garnished with vegetables, cheese or meat to constitute a complete meal, but it is also often eaten alone. Tea can be replaced with any other liquid such as water or beer.
More recently, younger generations also consume sweet tsampa (the sucre being unknown in ancient Tibet). It can be in the form of a dumpling or porridge. Of milk is sometimes added. Of the cakes approaching bread can be made with tsampa.
It is a digestible food, rich in nutrients and whose ease of storage, transport and preparation lends itself ideally to the harsh living conditions of Tibetans, in particular nomads, pilgrims and other high-altitude travelers.
Barley is known for promoting good digestion and for its supply of fiber, B vitamins, selenium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium. It contains eight amino acids essential and has a favorable effect on the rate of sucre blood, cholesterol and intestinal flora.
Tsampa is an integral part of Tibetan Buddhist rituals.
During Tibetan New Year celebrations (losar, mönlam) or other celebrations, such as the Dalai Lama's birthday, it is customary to throw tsampa into the air, which falls on the participants, as an auspicious sign. .
The tsampa and the butter are also used to model tormas, symbolic figurines offered during Tibetan Buddhist rituals.
Buy your tsampa flour here at the best price on the market: