Amza Superfoods 2024: Ancient Tibetan Energy Food!

Jolma, founder of Amza Superfoods, LLC, carries the heart of her heritage in every recipe and product she creates. Born and raised in Rebgong (རེབ་གོང་།), a cultural gem in Tibet's Amdo region, Jolma grew up immersed in a world of vibrant arts, literature, and culinary traditions. At the heart of her journey stands her beloved late grandmother, Sonam—a nomadic woman who, despite her lack of formal education, instilled in Jolma the value of learning and discovery with wisdom that transcended words. Sonam’s mantra, “To discover the world, one must move beyond her own kitchen,” became the spark that propelled Jolma to extraordinary heights. From becoming the first girl in her village to earn a college degree to learning English from scratch at age 30, her journey spans continents and industries. Jolma built a thriving career as a Product User Experience Designer in the tech world, all while keeping alive her passion for cooking and preserving Tibetan traditions.Her forthcoming memoir-cookbook, Beyond Her Kitchen, is both a tribute to her grandmother’s legacy and a celebration of the resilience of Tibetan women. It’s a heartfelt reminder that the kitchen is not just a place for nourishment but a portal to connection, culture, and discovery. Join Delivery Rank as we delve into Jolma’s extraordinary journey, her vision for Amza Superfoods, and the lessons she’s learned from a life rooted in tradition yet unbound by it.

Amza Superfoods celebrates the vibrant culinary traditions of Tibet. How does your upbringing in Rebgong and the lessons from your grandmother influence the recipes and products you create today?

My upbringing in Rebgong, a cultural hub steeped in Tibetan arts and culture, profoundly shaped my culinary journey. I was surrounded by a love for cooking, especially from my beloved late grandmother, Sonam. 

My grandmother's wisdom passed down through generations of nomadic lineage, inspired me to cherish traditional Tibetan recipes. Our products' simplicity and nutritional value, such as Tsamba, have been a constant source of inspiration. By sharing these flavors in the West, I honor her legacy and bring a piece of Tibet’s healthy eating traditions to today’s modern table.

Growing up, Tsamba (aka Tsampa) and bread layered with ground flaxseeds were everyday staples, all 100% natural, whole grain heirloom barleys, flaxseeds that my family grew. I now use these key ingredients in Amza Superfoods product recipes sourced locally in Oregon.

I wanted to make a convenient version of these traditional healthy foods everyone could enjoy in the West. Tsamba is an ancient food made of roasted Tibetan barley flour. It’s a common breakfast food for Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama. His Holiness enjoys Tsamba every morning. 

We’re proud to be the first to share our gut—and heart-healthy Tsamba snacks and flaxseed butters in the US market. They are handcrafted in small batches with Oregon's bounty. NO ADDED cane sugar or chemical additives. They provide a convenient way to get high fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans. 

Your products, such as Tsamba snacks and barley breakfast mixes, offer both nutrition and a taste of Tibetan culture. How do you balance health, sustainability, and cultural authenticity in each of your creations?

Balancing health, sustainability, and cultural authenticity is at the heart of Amza Superfoods. We achieve this by:

Sourcing responsibly: We prioritize farm-direct sourcing of 100% natural, heirloom whole grains that are organic and non-GMO, ensuring the quality and sustainability of our ingredients. We support farmers who practice sustainability and regenerative farming, which are gentle on the soil.

Preserving tradition: Our recipes are rooted in ancient Tibetan culinary traditions, preserving Tibet's rich cultural heritage. Barley has sustained Tibetans for thousands of years, and we continue the tradition. 

Modernizing for health: We modernize traditional food by portioning and packaging it in a way that makes it a shelf staple, convenient yet maintaining the nutrient-dense nature of our products, catering to contemporary lifestyles. 

For example, our Tibetan purple barley-based No-cook Tsamba Breakfast Mix with Nutes & Dates is quick and convenient, our Tsamba energy ball varieties are perfect for an on-the-go snack or quick breakfast, and our Flaxseed butters are versatile and a nutrition bomb, great for toasts, sandwiches, cereals, smoothies, and using like hummus. 

Supporting the community: By supporting the education of underprivileged women and girls in Tibet, we contribute to preserving Tibetan culture and empowering future generations. We want to continue sourcing locally, contributing to the local economy here in the US. 

Amza Superfoods aims to support the education of underprivileged women and girls in Tibet. Can you share more about your initiatives in this area and the impact you hope to achieve?

Although my grandmother was a nomad and illiterate, she understood the value of education. She inspired me to become the first girl from my village to earn a college degree (and likely the first woman from my home state to study in the West). My journey from Asia to Europe to America, where I learned a new culture and language from the ABCs at age 30 and eventually became a trilingual, successful contributor in the tech industry to starting Amaza Superfoods, is a direct result of my received education. 

So, through Amza Superfoods, we want to give back to the local and Tibetan communities. We are looking into initiatives to fund higher education for underprivileged women and girls in Tibet. Providing educational opportunities will empower these women, contribute to breaking the cycle of lows in higher education, and create economic opportunities. 

You emphasize the use of 100% natural, heirloom whole grains. Why is farm-direct sourcing important to you, and how do you ensure the quality and sustainability of your ingredients?

Farm-direct sourcing is crucial to maintaining the quality and integrity of our products. By working directly with farmers, we can ensure that our ingredients are:

Ensure quality: We can personally select the best ingredients and ensure they meet our high standards, just as my grandmother harvested, roasted, and milled them fresh. 

Fresh and nutritious: We source our ingredients at their peak freshness, preserving their natural flavors and nutritional value.

Sustainable: We support sustainable farming practices that minimize environmental impact and promote biodiversity. Sourcing locally or nearby farmers who practice traditional, regenerative farming reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation and keeps soil healthy and food more nutritious and tasty. 

Support local and ethical sourcing: We support local farmers in contributing to the local economy and the North West. We also prioritize fair trade and ethical sourcing to ensure that farmers and workers are treated fairly.

You describe your joy as making your kitchen utensils “sing and dance.” How do you translate this passion into the process of creating your products, and what do you hope people feel when they experience Amza Superfoods?

My passion for cooking is the driving force behind Amza Superfoods. I always wanted to start a food business, so I finally left my 17-year career in the tech industry as a digital product designer and poured my heart and soul into every product of Amza Superfoods. 

I want people to savor the rich flavors of our gourmet food, appreciate the nutritional benefits of clean yet whole ingredients, and support a mission that makes a positive impact. 

When people experience Amza Superfoods, I hope they feel warmth, comfort, self-care, and a deep connection to Tibet's vibrant and respectable culture. 

P.S. If you want to support us, there are 3 ways: 

1) Try our product online https://amzasuperfoods.com/

2) Forward this page to a friend 

3) Connect with @AmzaSuperfoods on Instagram https://instagram.com/amzasuperfoods/ |

Facebook https://facebook.com/AmzaSuperfoods/ |

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/amza-superfoods/?viewAsMember=true |

Twitter https://twitter.com/amzasuperfoodsTwitter https://twitter.com/amzasuperfoods

To read more about Amza Superfoods, please visit https://amzasuperfoods.com/