Dessert

When you travel to Iran, you will understand that Iranian people make some of the best desserts out there, they flavored their desserts with saffron, rosewater, pistachio, and some more delicious flavors you will love.

Iranians don’t eat sweets as desserts at the end of their meal but they eat those often as a break during the day with tea or sometimes coffee. Here we are going to introduce 10 most popular Iranian desserts.

• Akbar Mashti Ice Cream or Traditional Ice Cream

In the 1950s, a person named Akbar Mashhadi introduced a delicious ice cream that has become the most famous ice cream in Iran today. This ice cream is also known as the traditional ice cream and has many fans. The combination of vanilla ice cream, saffron with rose water and pistachios can be an exciting experience for you, but not as much as when frozen cream pieces surprise you and make you feel good. This ice cream is served both in a cup and in a special Iranian form of ice cream sandwiches.

• Shole-Zard

Now it’s time to introduce the special Iranian pudding which is made with rice. The high-quality Iranian saffron also gives it an excellent yellow colour and aroma. Cinnamon is also an ingredient, but is used exclusively for dressing. In the religious ceremonies and during the holy month of Ramadan, Shole-Zard is served among Muslim communities free of charge.

• Yazdi Sweets

Yazd in central Iran is one of the cities that are famous for delicious sweets. In this city you can try different types of Baklava including the Greek and Turkish ones. You can also taste Qottab [almond-filled deep-fried Iranian cuisine pastry] Loz-e Nargil {Iranian coconut sweets with rosewater] and cotton candy. Of course, never miss a cup of hot tea next to these delicious sweets.

• Faloodeh Shirazi

With the first look at Faloodeh, you may ask yourself: Who would eat noodles as desserts? But if you taste these noodles that are dipped in the rosewater syrup, for sure you will not trust your eyes when choosing something to eat. There are many choices ahead; you can have this dessert with lemon juice or enjoy it with sour cherries and other syrups. Faloodeh is the best choice in the hot summer days and you can find the best ones in the city of Shiraz.

• Zulbia & Bamiyeh

Zulbia is the name of a sweet that is poured into oil by a funnel and deep-fried in pretzel or circular shapes. Then, it is soaked in rosewater and saffron syrup to get a different taste. Bamiyeh is also the name of another sweet that is usually served together with Zulbia and is very similar to Chorru (a Spanish fried-dough pastry). Bamiyeh is also dipped in sugar syrup.

These two sweets have many fans in the holy month of Ramadan because after a day of fasting, it provides the body with the sugar it needs.

• Koloocheh

Koloocheh is a delicious cookie with different flavours such as cinnamon, walnut, cocoa, etc. Different regions of Iran have Koloochehs with different shapes. This Persian dessert can be served in the afternoon along with your tea, or during your breakfast.

• Sohan

Sohan is the most famous traditional Iranian sweet. The ingredients of this brittle toffee are saffron, eggs, rosewater, sugar, butter, and cardamom. Its colour and the pistachio on top of it can make you crazy! Every time you have Sohan, you will need to brush your teeth.

• Gaz

Isfahan province in central Iran is the origin of this delicious candy. Sap of Angabin (a plant), rosewater, and egg whites are the main ingredients of Gaz while almonds and pistachios could be added to it as well.

• Halva

Iran’s halva is different from its other forms in the Middle East. To prepare it, the Iranians slowly sauté wheat flour in oil or butter and then add sugar, rosewater and saffron to it. Almonds and pistachios are used to make it pleased to the eye. This dessert has a special place in traditional religious ceremonies.

• Ranginak

South of Iran and the Persian Gulf islands display a kind of different culture in Iran that is even touchable in their cuisine. In these regions of Iran, people fill in soft dates with walnuts, then put them in a blend of fried flour, saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon to make a delicious dessert called Ranginak. This Persian dessert can make everyone crazy with its appearance, and its taste can put a spell on you.