Kathmandu, Jan. 23 -- Have you ever heard of butter extracted from a tree?

Chiuri butter is extracted from the seeds of a tree whose literal name translates to the "butter tree." It is used mostly in skincare and haircare products. Although the chiuri tree is native to Nepal, limited research and commercialisation mean that its products, including the extracted butter, do not receive the recognition they deserve.

Beyond the butter, the tree as a whole is used for different purposes. The Chepang community holds the tree as sacred, both literally and figuratively. They have sustained their lives by selling chiuri seed butter, using other parts of the tree for healing, producing honey, and even giving chiuri saplings as dowry.

Chiuri butt...