Bhutanese enjoy the hardest cheese in the world like chewing gums

•  Bhutanese enjoy the hardest cheese in the world like chewing gums

The Bhutanese consume a lot of dairy. This is no surprise because Bhutan is cold, and dairy provides the warmth and strength necessary for survival.

Besides, the high altitude and closed economy makes it viable for rearing cows, yaks, sheep, and goats; livestock that provide dairy products.

But of all that dairy, there is one product that rules them all... cheese!

As a matter of fact, a Bhutanese experience is not complete without tasting their cheese.

Chugo, arguably the hardest cheese in the world

On another note, when you see the locals randomly chewing as they go about their daily lives, they are likely either munching on doma (betel nut), or gnashing on chugo.

Chugo, also known as chhurpi, is a type of hardened cheese popular in Bhutan.

                                         It is made of yak’s milk.

You can find these hanging from strings in stores and marketplaces.

Apparently, in America, chugo is sold as special dog treats called “Himalayan Dog Chew''. A packet of 3 pieces can cost 50 USD. In Bhutan, it’s Nu. 70 (0.93 USD) a packet.

It seems like one man’s dog treats is another man’s feast, because in Bhutan, chugos are crazy popular, especially in the less-developed towns.

Chewing it early in the morning helps them keep warm. It is an acquired taste though.

It smells like yak—which might or might not be a desired trait in food—and is so hard that it takes 30 minutes to gnaw through. 

It is arguably known as the hardest cheese in the world.

One western tourist commented that she had the cheese in her mouth for ages during a long car ride through the Himalayas before it started to soften. She couldn’t bite into it at all until the cheese started to dissolve, which took a long time.

However, in spite of what foreigners think, chugo is to the Bhutanese what one might think of chewing gum. They suck on it as they live through their day, just for fun.

Having said that, one place with a slightly different version of chugo is Haa town, where the chugo is known as Haabey Ruto. Haabey Ruto does not have sugar, and is thus not sweet like those found in Bumthang and other parts of the country.

                                           How is chugo made?

Making chugo is an onerous process.

First, raw milk is fermented in a warm area. Over a few days, fresh milk is added to the fermented one.

When the milk coagulates, it is churned in a cowhide container. This is done to separate the butter from the rest of the milk.

The liquid milk is poured into a bronze pot and brought to a boil over a stove while it is stirred occasionally.

The stirring is important because it is what yields the cheese.

Next, the cheese is wrapped in coarse yak cloth and sandwiched between two flat stones to squeeze out all the water.

After that, the cheese is sliced and strung with yak hair, then smoked over a fire.