Hello Friends! Did you catch us at the farmers' market?
The wonderful folks at the farmers' market recently interviewed me (Jolma). We have such a fun time connecting with our community and sharing the goodness of Amza Superfoods.
This special Q&A serves up a taste of our story, exploring the connection between Tibetan tradition, family recipes, and our passion for healthy, delicious food. Dive into the story behind the superfoods!
Q1. What connects your products to Tibetan culture?
Jolma: I was born and raised in the Amdo region of Tibet. Amdo is also the birthplace of the Dalai Lama. Because of the lack of Tibetan staples in the US market, I founded Amza Superfoods in Portland, Oregon, last year.
"Amza" is the phonetic spelling of "Amdo food."
With 100% natural, non-GMO whole grains, our products are nutrition-dense, tasty, and sustainable nourishment that celebrate Tibetan culture.
A corner of my hometown, "Rebgong the Golden Valley" (Tongren City), shows artists' villages, Amdo region of Tibet.
Young men and boys from my village, Gling-rgyal, participate in the Klu rol (lürol ) festival, Rebgong, Amdo region of Tibet.
Q2. How did you learn to make your products?
Jolma: Growing up in Rebgong, a vibrant cultural hub known for Tibetan arts, I was surrounded by a love for cooking, especially from my beloved late grandmother, Sonam.
Tsamba and bread layered with ground flaxseeds were everyday staples growing up, so I wanted to make a convenient version of these traditional healthy foods everyone could enjoy in the West. Tsamba (or Tsampa) is an ancient food made of roasted Tibetan barley flour.
My family grew heirloom barley, flaxseeds, wheat, peas, and other ingredients I now use in Amza Superfoods recipes sourced locally in Oregon.
Our gut—and heart-healthy Tsamba snacks, barley breakfast mixes, and flaxseed spreads are handcrafted in small batches with Oregon's bounty. They have no added sugar or preservatives. Our products provide a convenient way to get high fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans.
A corner of farmer field of my village, Gling-rgyal, Rebgong, Amdo region of Tibet.
Q3. What inspired you to start your business?
Jolma: I was inspired to create Amza Superfoods when I couldn’t find the food I grew up eating in the United States. Finding authentic Tibetan flavors and food products is difficult despite today's diverse, global food scene.
My grandmother, who was a nomad and illiterate, taught me cooking and inspired me to become the first girl from my village to earn a college degree and my journey from Asia to Europe to America, where I learned a new culture and language from the ABCs at age 30.
In her honor and in honor of disadvantaged Tibetan women like her, I drafted a memoir cookbook that chronicles Tibet's healthy eating traditions and the stories behind each bite. This seed has now grown into a meaningful business. Each bite nourishes your body, empowers women in Tibet, and treads lightly on our planet.
Through Amza Superfoods, I hope to share Tibet’s healthy eating traditions and empower underserved Tibetan women. Connect with us on Instagram to hear these stories and recipes as I publish them.
LEFT PHOTO: Making Tsamba or tsampa the meal in a bowl (roasted barley flour, butter, dry fine cheese, and brown sugar) often consumed for breakfast or lunch, Rebgong, Amdo region of Tibet.
RIGHT PHOTO: Amdo bread is famous, which comes from my hometown, Rebgong, Amdo region of Tibet.
Tibetan momos, my brother and sister-in-law treated me with these juicy dumplings during my visit. Made of yak meat, scallions and seasonings.
Q4. What is your favorite thing about being a business owner?
Jolma: I find joy in making my kitchen utensils sing and dance and sharing my heritage food with the people around me. Previously, I built a successful career as a Product User Experience Design Consultant, but making food is my true calling.
It’s an honor to introduce the first-ever U.S. selection of authentic Tibetan Tsamba (རྩམ་པ) snacks, Tsamba Breakfast Mixes, and Flaxseed (ཟར་མ) Spreads. I enjoy tasting the flavors of home and sharing our Tibetan food culture with you.
As my business grows, I want to fund Tibetan women and girls for higher education and help them start small businesses.
Products of Amza Superfoods: Tsamba Balls. Tsamba Breakfast Mix, Tsamba Truffles, Flaxseed Spread w/ Dates and Flaxseed Spread w/ Chili & Turmeric. 100% natural. No added sugar or preservatives.
Our Tsamba Balls with Oregon Hazelnuts and Tsamba Truffles with Dark Chocolate. Whole grain, heirloom purple barley-based.
Creating these Tibetan foods has been a labor of love. You’re experiencing hearty food with exciting ingredient combinations, tastes, and textures.
Thanks for reading this far, and thanks for your kindness and generosity.
Stay healthy.
Smiles,
Jolma
P.S. If you want to support us, there are 5 WAYS!
PICK ONE right now before you forget:
1) Review our product if you enjoy our food
2) Connect with @AmzaSuperfoods on Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
3) Comment on this blog below
4) Try our product online or visit Farmers’ Markets around Portland to sample our food
5) Forward this newsletter to a friend