Tsamba, Toasts & Tibetan Soul Food: My Love Letter to Amza Superfoods

Let’s rewind a little.

Picture me—half-asleep, coffee in hand, standing in front of my pantry like a portal to Narnia, waiting for something healthy, delicious, and magical to jump out and fix my life. Or at least my breakfast. Granola? Meh. Protein bar? Again? Peanut butter toast? Same old. That was me on a Tuesday morning.

Now imagine this same scene—but a Tibetan grandmother from the Amdo region of Tibet (who probably speaks in proverbs and cooks with mystical intuition) shows up, looks at my snack options, shakes her head lovingly, and hands me a golden ball of roasted barley bliss. And then, in the blink of an eye, she vanishes.

Okay, fine. Maybe the grandmother didn’t appear. But the Tibetan Tsamba Balls with Oregon Hazelnuts from Amza Superfoods did. And let me tell you: the game changed. Soul fed. Pantry blessed.

So, What Exactly Is a Tsamba Ball?

Let’s start here. Because if you’re like me, you’ve probably never uttered the words “Tsamba Ball” before. But once you do, they won’t leave your lips—or your cravings—alone.

Tsamba (also known as Tsampa) is roasted Tibetan barley flour. It’s the food of monks, nomads, and (as it turns out) me, a chaotic millennial who thought oat milk was the height of nutrition. It’s been a Tibetan staple for over 3,600 years and even graces the Dalai Lama’s breakfast table. (Yes, really. The Guardian called it “the breakfast of champions.” Move over Wheaties.)

Now, Amza Superfoods, founded by Jolma—a trailblazing Tibetan woman from Rebgong—has wrapped this ancient goodness into a modern snack: bite-sized energy balls made from heirloom Purple Karma Barley, locally grown Oregon hazelnuts, and not a single grain of added sugar.

No sugar. No additives. No guilt. Just clean, nutty, earthy perfection.

They’re slightly sweet from natural ingredients, surprisingly filling, and they have that boost that makes your body feel like it just did yoga—without actually having to do yoga.

The First Bite: A Snack and a Story

When I popped my first Tsamba Ball, I wasn’t just eating. I was participating in something. You know that rare feeling when you eat something and it feels… ancestral? Like it carries wisdom? Like it has its passport?

That’s what eating an Amza Tsamba Ball feels like. It’s chewy, toasty, a little nutty, and just subtly sweet. It’s the opposite of everything overengineered and over-sugared.

Imagine if a protein ball and a Tibetan tea ceremony had a baby, and that baby was approved by both nutritionists and monks.

And bonus: These babies are Top Specialty Food Trend Award winners, according to the Specialty Food Association. That means actual food experts walked through nearly 1,100 booths and said, “Yeah, this is the stuff.”

Flaxseed Butter with Dates: Meet My Toast’s New Soulmate

Now let’s talk about Flaxseed Butter with Dates, because I need to shout this from the rooftops.

I wasn’t expecting much. Honestly, flaxseed butter sounded a bit… noble. Like something you’d eat with a grimace because it’s “good for you.” But the moment I tried it, I was shocked. This stuff is decadent. The dates give it a soft caramel-like sweetness. The flaxseeds bring depth and texture. It’s luscious. Like, eat-it-with-a-spoon kind of luscious.

You can spread it on toast (obviously). But also: stir it into oatmeal, drizzle it over banana slices, plop it on pancakes, add a dollop to smoothies, or sneak a spoonful at midnight while telling yourself it’s basically a health food.

Which it is. It’s packed with omega-3s, fiber, and protein, and it has zero added sugar. I checked the label twice like it was a magic trick.

Who Is Jolma, and Why Am I Crying Over Nut Butter?

Let’s pause here and talk about Jolma, the heart and soul behind Amza Superfoods.

Born and raised in Rebgong, Tibet, she learned to cook from her grandmother, Sonam—a nomadic woman with no formal education but immense wisdom. Inspired by Sonam’s strength, Jolma became the first girl in her village to earn a college degree, learned English in her thirties, and left a 17-year tech career to build Amza from her Portland kitchen.

Her story feels like a handwritten letter folded into every product. You’re not just buying food. You’re supporting a woman who turned her culture, memories, and grit into something deeply meaningful.

Also: She’s writing a memoir cookbook, Beyond Her Kitchen. I can’t wait to devour that too.

Back to the Goods: Why These Snacks Deserve Your Grocery Budget

Here’s what I love about Amza Superfoods: They’re not trying to imitate something else. They’re not a protein bar pretending to be a brownie or a nut butter masquerading as cookie dough.

They are confidently, gloriously themselves. Rooted in tradition. Made for real life.

And while I started with the Tsamba Balls and Flaxseed Butter with Dates, Amza’s got a whole lineup that makes me want to reimagine my pantry. (Or at least reclaim my 3 PM snack break from the clutches of sad trail mix.)

Some Other Amza Highlights I’m Eyeing

Tsamba Truffles with Dark Chocolate:

The name alone makes my knees buckle. Imagine that deep-roasted barley flavor paired with velvety dark chocolate. A dessert you can snack on before yoga class without guilt? Yes, please.

Flaxseed Butter with Chili & Turmeric:

This one has a serious culinary swagger. A little spice, a little earthiness, and a whole lot of personality. I see it on sandwiches, mixed into savory dips, even swirled into soups. It’s that secret weapon condiment you didn’t know you needed.

No-Cook Tsamba Breakfast Mix:

Ready in seconds, hearty enough to fuel your morning, and made from the Dalai Lama’s favorite food? This is the answer to “I have no time but also want to feel like a glowing wellness goddess.”

Traditional Tsamba Flour:

Feeling adventurous? Make it yourself! Whether you want to craft your Tibetan porridge, blend it into smoothies, or channel your inner monk, the roasted Purple Karma Barley flour is your base.

Why I’m Genuinely Obsessed

Let’s be honest. We live in a world of food fads. One minute it’s keto, the next it’s celery juice. Most “healthy” foods are either:

1.         A sugar bomb in disguise

2.         So bland you might as well eat the packaging

3.         Not sustainable or meaningful beyond the trend

Amza Superfoods is none of those.

This brand is a reminder that ancient cultures have been quietly nourishing people for thousands of years with real, balanced food.

Tsamba doesn’t need to be rebranded. It just needs to be introduced with reverence—and joy.

Jolma and her team are doing exactly that: building a bridge between her homeland and ours, one buttery spoonful and barley ball at a time. They’re empowering Tibetan women, sourcing eco-friendly crops from the Pacific Northwest, and crafting foods that taste like love with a purpose.

How I Use Amza Products in My Life (An Honest Recap)

•          Morning rush: Tsamba ball with coffee = full till lunch.

•          Afternoon slump: A spoonful of Flaxseed Butter with Dates on a rice cake = no need for vending machine sabotage.

•          Dinner party: Flaxseed Chili Butter as a dip = “Wait, what is this??” from my guests.

•          Camping trip: No-cook Tsamba Mix = I survived and thrived.

•          Stress-baking: Added a scoop of Tsamba flour to my cookie dough. Rustic. Delicious. Elevated.

Final Thought: This Isn’t Just Food—It’s a Cultural Reawakening

I didn’t grow up eating Tsampa. I’d never heard of Purple Karma Barley. But now? I feel connected to it. Because when you taste something that was made with this much intention, rooted in this much history, and wrapped in this much care, it transcends trendiness.

It becomes a tiny act of travel. A bite-sized moment of empathy. And sometimes, on a regular Tuesday morning in your regular kitchen, that’s exactly what you need.

So thank you, Amza Superfoods. For giving me a snack that makes my body happy, my heart full, and my pantry just a little more poetic.

And to Jolma: Your grandmother would be so proud.