It starts in the mountains

In the Himalayas, people have made a hard cheese called churpi for generations. Herders carried it on long days in the mountains, chewing on it for hours. And as you'd expect, their dogs were never far behind, waiting for a piece.

That's where KHICHCHA comes from. It isn't a new idea dreamed up in an office. It's an old tradition we're sharing with dog owners here in the US.

Made by hand in Nepal

KHICHCHA is handcrafted in Nepal using that traditional churpi recipe. The ingredient list is short enough to remember:

• Yak milk
• Cow milk
• Lime juice
• A pinch of salt

No artificial additives. No preservatives. Just what's needed and nothing extra.

Because every chew is made by hand, no two look exactly alike. Some are a little lighter, some a little darker, some a bit longer. We think that's part of the charm.

A name that means "dog"

In Newari, one of Nepal's indigenous languages, khichcha means "dog." We could have picked a catchy made-up name. Instead, we wanted something honest that came from the same place the chew does.

For your best friend

Here's where the second half of our line comes in.

Your dog isn't just a pet. They're the one waiting at the door when you get home and the one who sticks by you on the couch. They deserve a chew made with real care.

KHICHCHA is hard, about an 8 out of 10 on our Chewmeter, so it keeps your dog busy for a long time. It's high in protein, not greasy and has very little smell. When it gets small, soak the last piece in warm water for about 5 minutes, microwave it for around 45 seconds and let it cool. It puffs into a crunchy treat, so nothing goes to waste.

From our hands to theirs

When you give your dog a KHICHCHA, you're handing them something that started high in the Himalayas, was made by hand in Nepal and traveled all the way to your home.

That's what "From the Himalayas, For Your Best Friend" means to us.

KHICHCHA comes in Medium and Large on Amazon. When your best friend gets theirs, show us on Instagram at @aathmandu.