Bhutan

Bhutan food - chili rules the land
The country of Bhutan in the Himalayas is a particularly magical place. The splendor of the landscape blends perfectly with the varied cuisine.

The people of Bhutan love to eat and each region has its own specialty. It is said that a trip to the Dragon Kingdom is incomplete without sampling "Ema Datshi" - a specialty of cheese and chili. The dish is undoubtedly delicious, but very, very spicy.

The Bhutanese are passionate about chili. They use the chili variety Capsicum onum, a fluffy red variety. The whole country seems to be singing: "Without chili we die." Chilies are scattered everywhere - on the streets, on rooftops and in yards.

The Bhutanese do not add much spice to their curry, the only ingredient is chili, chili and more chili. "If it doesn't make you sweat, why bother eating it?" ask the people of Bhutan. Food in restaurants is served less hot and spicy to make it more palatable for tourists.

Another important feature of this exotic cuisine is the use of rice. Five kilograms per capita per week is the normal consumption. As this is the only crop grown, rice is consumed in various forms at all meals, from breakfast to dinner. It is either rice with curry or curry with rice.

Two categories of rice are used in Bhutan. The
urban areas including Thimpu, Paro and Phuntsholing use white rice while the rural population grows red rice. In eastern Bhutan, wheat is grown and the staple food is 'puta' or wheat noodles. In
most families in southern Bhutan, maize grains are dried in bamboo shoots and
dried in bamboo shoots and then coarsely ground and processed into "kharang".
This is then mixed with curry and made into "thukpa" (porridge).

Meat, especially yak meat, is a staple food for the non-vegetarians. Yak is an everyday food in every household. Not a single part of the animal is wasted, much like the banana trees in India. Besides meat, the milk is dried and made into cheese, and the skin is also roasted and served as a snack with drinks.
 

Bhutan culture - Ceremonies and rituals

The culture of Bhutan and the Buddhist influence go hand in hand. The influence of religion is highly visible in everyday life and is the main reason for the spiritual and cultural heritage of Bhutan. The numerous sacred monasteries, stupas, religious institutions, prayer flags and prayer wheels make Buddhism a faith that is still very much alive today and will probably always be part of the realm. Not only does this make Bhutan a very authentic country, but also because of the traditional woven clothing that people wear. All religious ceremonies and rituals (and there are many!) are performed regularly and with reverence for life. The typical, robust yet refined architecture and the wonderful cultural festivals typical of Buddhism are further examples of the country's uniqueness.

Bhutan Tourism - Handcrafted Souvenirs
Bhutan limits the number of tourists in the country and hence the country has a small handicraft industry. You can buy handmade products such as jewelry, carpets, silver, bronze, colorful masks, hand-woven bamboo products and wooden products as souvenirs or gifts for friends and family. Handmade wooden bowls and dappa are quaint and practical souvenirs. The two halves of these bowls fit so closely together that they are even used to carry cooked food and you can use them as salad or cookie bowls at home. Dappa can be bought anywhere in Bhutan and is considered a specialty of the Trashi Yangtse region. Bamboo canes, woven into small baskets, are also used like dappas. They are the specialty of the southern region of Bhutan and are produced in beautiful designs.