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The beautiful but tiny Kingdom of Bhutan, situated in the great Himalayas, is famous for its unique gastronomic traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and ancient traditions. Among the many culinary delicacies of Bhutan, drinks are an integral part of the people's everyday routine and culture. Bhutan has a list of beverages that are served as a symbol of its hospitality and tradition, from royal cups to normal snacking.
Travellers will have access to a variety of items, including drink-related specialities that teach about Bhutanese history and culture as addition to soothing sore throats. Every beverage in Bhutan tells a tale of its history, from the locally made Ara that is an essential component of hospitality to the comforting Suja (Butter Tea) that residents use to deal with the cold Himalayan climate. Drinking these beverages will let you know more about the traditions and manners of the people of Bhutan while travelling in this country. Take a tasty tour of six well-liked drinks that each traveller to Bhutan needs to experience.
Suja
The most well-known beverage in Bhutan is likely suja, sometimes referred to as butter tea. In Bhutanese homes, this flavourful beverage is an essential and is especially well-liked in the country's colder areas. Suja is a high calorie, smooth, hot and healthy drink prepared by blending tea with butter of yaks milk and salt. Drinking suja is a social habit as much as a means of quenching one's thirst. As a gesture of welcome, serving guests with a cup of Suja is traditional in Bhutanese houses. Foreign palates may need some time to adjust to the distinctive flavour, but many tourists eventually develop a taste for this unique but soothing drink.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Ara
A significant part of Bhutan's social and cultural foundation is the traditional alcoholic liquor known as ara. Usually made from fermented rice, wheat, or maize, this clear, strong alcohol is made by hand. Recipes and methods for producing ara are typically passed down through generations in the community. Ara has significance in religious ceremonies and festivals. It is a Reception beverage that people often offer to their guests and belongs to the conventional etiquette. Even though ara is not widely produced for sale, visitors can frequently experience this genuine Bhutanese spirit in rural regions or at regional celebrations.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Bhutanese Beer
Bhutanese Beer was named after the endangered red panda which is native to the eastern Himalayas; the company aims at supporting Bhutan’s policies on environmental conservation. Red Panda, made by the Bhutan Brewery, is the most well-known beer in Bhutan. Utilising modern brewing methods, this lager-style beer blends regional ingredients to produce a distinctively Bhutanese flavour profile. Particularly during the warmer months, Red Panda beer is a favourite among both locals and visitors due to its light and pleasant taste.
Bhutanese Liquor
Beyond the traditional Ara, Bhutanese spirits are part of a developing national business. Named after the Fifth King of Bhutan, K5 Himalayan Whisky is among the most widely used commercial liquors in Bhutan. The Army Welfare Project uses only pure Himalayan spring water and classic Scotch whisky making techniques to create this whisky. Misty Peak is another well-known liquor from Bhutan. It is a triple-distilled and charcoal-filtered vodka. It is brewed from the finest grain and pure Himalayan spring water and hence it is clear, smooth and delicious that has been appreciated across the globe.
Bhutanese Wine
Although the wine industry in Bhutan is still young, its early results are encouraging. It has a variety of temperatures and altitude that provide variety of terroirs for the grape cropping. Located in Paro Valley, Lingmell Wines is one of the pioneers of Bhutanese wine manufacturing. It makes wines of different types including rosé, white and red wines from grapes which are locally grown and imported. It was interesting to taste those wines as it felt that a Bhutanese taste had been put into these wines while using some traditional wine making techniques from other parts of the world.
Chang
Chang is another traditional drink that is well-liked throughout Bhutan; it is a mild beer-like beverage. Chang has less alcohol than Ara because it isn't distilled. Usually prepared from fermented rice, barley, or millet, the precise components can differ according on the locale. In Bhutan, Chang is a traditional dish that is frequently offered at festivals and other special events. It's also a significant component of Bhutanese hospitality, which is commonly extended to visitors in houses, particularly in rural regions. Chang's flavour can vary greatly depending on the ingredients and the fermentation procedure, but it usually has a pleasant, somewhat sour, yeasty flavour.
Don't skip on the chance to enjoy the tastes of Bhutan and the happy times that these wonderful drinks offer to celebrations and daily life. To your travel across Bhutan, cheers!
