Yak Chews, sometimes referred to as Himalayan Dog Chews or Chhurpi, are all-natural, durable treats for dogs originally made in the Himalayan region of Nepal. They are manufactured from the milk of cows and yaks, using a straightforward method including boiling, curdling with lime juice, pressing, and then drying or smoking the cheese for many weeks.
Yak Chews are in high demand as of today, as they contain a collection of various vitamins that help dogs to grow and maintain their strength and energy. It is very healthy for dogs, as it doesn’t have any preservatives and is manufactured entirely naturally.
Step-By-Step Process of Making Himalayan Yak Chews
1. Pure Milk Collection From Yaks and Cows From Himalayas
The process of making yak chews begins with collecting milk from yaks and cows from the Himalayan region. These milks are high-quality and pure. Yaks and Cows are raised in natural and clean environments, grazing on organic herbs and grass.
These milks are rich in nutrition. Locals work with herding communities and support traditional livelihoods. These milks are collected daily and kept in clean and safe storage. The purity of this milk is not touched by industrial processes, ensuring quality and purity from the very start.
2. Boiling and Curdling of the Milk
Then, milk is poured into large pots and boiled in open stoves in a very traditional way. This boiling process not only kills germs but also makes the milk ready for the curdling process. As milk heats, makers stir it into the wooden paddles.
Then, after, a little bit of lime or old buttermilk is added for curdling the milk naturally, separating it into solid curd and liquid whey. The curd begins to group together and turns into the pale yellow liquid. It is the step where milk starts becoming hard, durable, and protein-rich yak chew.
3. Straining and Pressing the Curd
After the curdling process, curds are separated from the whey. These curds are collected into the clothes and tied tightly. All of these bundles are then placed on a flat wooden board and pressed with heavy stones or weights for up to 24 hours. The reason for doing this is to remove the moisture and make the curd more dense. The more it gets pressed, the longer the final chew will last. When the chews are given, they last longer if they get pressed more.
4. Cutting and Shaping the Cheese
Then, once the cheese is made by pressing, it is placed on a flat surface for cutting. Then, the cheeses are sliced into rectangular shapes or cylindrical spaces based on their use. These sizes are carefully chosen for drying and storing.
The wooden molds are used to make these shapes and patterns for yak chews. Shaping process is done by hand with care to ignore the cracks or damaged surfaces that can lead to decomposition during the drying process.
5. Drying and Smoking the Shaped Chews
The shaped chews are then placed on the trays or tied into the ropes and then left to cure by two traditional methods: either sun-drying or smoking. During the sun-drying process, the cheeses are laid down in open space to dry under the strong Himalayan sun. And during the cold or winter season, the cheeses are hung over the fireplace and slowly smoked on fires.
This process takes about 2-4 weeks for making, depending on climate. The smoking process not only dries the chew but also gives smoky flavors and hardness that are very ideal for dogs. These chews can last for months with refrigeration.
6. Storing and Sharing the Yak Chews
Once the chews are fully dried, they are stored in dry and cool places, often hung in ropes and in wooden boxes. In the traditional way, the Chhurpi was chewed slowly by locals during winter or cold weather or during travel.
Read: What makes your Himalayan Dog Chews unique?
But today these same chhurpi are shared with the dogs around the world as healthy and long-lasting treats made with the same care by Himalayan locals.
7. Eco-Friendly Packaging the Chews
Lastly, the ready-chews are individually cleaned to ensure that there are no cracks or quality issues in the products. The products are packaged in airtight covers that are eco-friendly packaging to keep them safe and fresh.
Our packaging is designed to keep the chew moisture-free and contamination-free while providing for pet owners. Yak and Chew carries the pride of the Himalayan technique of making Chews and our promise of quality, purity, and care for dogs.
A Taste of Tradition with Yak and Chew
We carry on the living tradition of making chews by traditional Himalayan families. At Yak and Chew, we work directly with local makers, ensuring each chew is healthy, pure, and full of Himalayan taste. Yak and Chew not only brings Himalayan taste in chews but also supports rural communities and promotes sustainable manufacturing practices.
When you buy chews from Yak and Chew, you are not just choosing the products, but also you are choosing a story to do the things in the right way. Give your Dogs a treat that is healthy and truly special—only from Yak and Chew.
