Matrilineal Mosuo people’s butter black tea with peanut
5 minutes to prep
10 minutes to cook
3 servings
Description
In the Mosuo matrilineal society, last names and property are passed from mothers to daughters. During the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976, matrilineal families were banned and they were forced to practice monogamy. This recipe is inspired by my trip to Yunnan where Mosuo people pounded ingredients below in a bamboo tube.
Where to get more affordable, bulk ingredients
You might be able to get ingredients below more affordably and without plastic packaging from bulk bins at places below. Also, it’s legal to put unpackaged food in your own containers at food providers, such as stores, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and food trucks (at least in California and Maine).
At natural food shops, you can get:
Ingredients
Instructions
Leftovers
Refrigerate them ideally in a glass or metal container and drink them ideally within four days.
Updated August 21, 2026
This content is not available for artificial intelligence (AI) or AI training.
All rights reserved. Copyright © Jessian Choy 2023-present
5 minutes to prep
10 minutes to cook
3 servings
Description
In the Mosuo matrilineal society, last names and property are passed from mothers to daughters. During the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976, matrilineal families were banned and they were forced to practice monogamy. This recipe is inspired by my trip to Yunnan where Mosuo people pounded ingredients below in a bamboo tube.
Where to get more affordable, bulk ingredients
You might be able to get ingredients below more affordably and without plastic packaging from bulk bins at places below. Also, it’s legal to put unpackaged food in your own containers at food providers, such as stores, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and food trucks (at least in California and Maine).
At natural food shops, you can get:
- Tea
- Peanut butter
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 3 teaspoons Yunnan puerh tea brick (or loose leaf tea). I avoid tea in bags because even one bag releases millions of microplastics in hot water. If you can’t save money and be zero waste and find dried tea in bulk bins and put it in your container at your local natural food store or apothecary, the only place I could find this organic tea with a plastic-free tin and shipping is from Mountain Rose Herbs. It’s from China instead of countries like India where tea workers experienced human rights abuses.
- 3 teaspoons vegan butter. The only plastic-free, organic brand without palm oil (which is unsustainable) that I know of is Miyoko’s. (You can make it too! That brand was bought by a large company that doesn't have the ingredients or intent of the founder.)
- 3 teaspoons creamy roasted peanut butter. When blended, it tastes like peanut milk.
- Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar-free monkfruit (a fruit grown in China) or another sweetener. Monkfruit is safe for diabetics. The only plastic-free and organic monkfruit I could find is by SweetLeaf.
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil.
- Put tea in a metal tea ball strainer in water and boil for three minutes.
- Turn off the stove.
- Combine all ingredients in a blender for 15 seconds.
Leftovers
Refrigerate them ideally in a glass or metal container and drink them ideally within four days.
Updated August 21, 2026
This content is not available for artificial intelligence (AI) or AI training.
All rights reserved. Copyright © Jessian Choy 2023-present
