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Persian cuisine and being invited to an Iranian home tips
Persian cuisine refers to the traditional and modern styles of cooking originating in Iran....
Persian cuisine refers to the traditional and modern styles of cooking originating in Iran. Situated between the Mediterranean Sea, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Indian subcontinent, and Anatolia, Persian cuisine has a shared history and ingredients with Mesopotamian cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine. Fresh green herbs are frequently used along with fruits such as plums, pomegranates, quince, prunes, apricots, and raisins. Typical Persian main dishes are combination of rice with meat, lamb, chicken, or fish and some onion, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. To achieve a balanced taste, characteristic Persian flavorings such as saffron, dried limes, cinnamon, and parsley are mixed delicately and used in some special dishes. The Iranian sweet tooth must be seen to be believed. Rosewater and orange water are typically used as flavorings, as well as pistachio and honey. Ice cream is popular and there is also a type of candy floss that is very popular. Iranians often drink cold water with meals, but tea is the true national drink. Herbal teas such as chamomile, ginger, saffron, rose, violet, and jasmine are often drunk for their medicinal properties. Coffee is also a popular beverage, generally taken black and super-strong. Unfortunately for the short term tourist, restaurateurs in Iran often seem unaware of the amazing variety of food their culture has to offer, and often do little beyond kebabs and rice. Most of Iran's excellent food is confined to the kitchen of the family home. If you are lucky enough to be invited to an Iranian home for dinner, you should without doubt accept. The meal may well be set on the floor, sometimes without utensils. This should not be interpreted as a lack of decorum. Most meals are eaten only with a spoon and fork. Here are a few very basic tips on mealtime etiquette:
1) Check to see if the person answering the door is wearing shoes, if they arent then you should remove yours.
2) Don't sit down until told where to sit by your host.
3) You will constantly be offered food and drink. Always refuse at least once before accepting.
4) Try a bit of all of the dishes available.
5) Leave a little food at on your plate when you finish eating. The host will consider it his duty to provide more food than you can eat.
The Imam Reza Shrine
The Imam Reza Shrine (Persian: حرم امام رضا) in Mashhad, Iran is a complex which contains the mausoleum of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Twelver Shi'ites. It is the largest mosque in the world by dimension and the second largest by capacity....
The Imam Reza Shrine (Persian: حرم امام رضا) in Mashhad, Iran is a complex which contains the mausoleum of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Twelver Shi'ites. It is the largest mosque in the world by dimension and the second largest by capacity. Also contained within the complex are the Goharshad Mosque, a museum, a library, four seminaries, a cemetery, the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, a dining hall for pilgrims, vast prayer halls, and other buildings.
In 818, Imam Ali al-Ridha was murdered by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun (ruled 813–833) and was buried beside the grave of al-Ma'mun's father, Harun al-Rashid (r. 786–809). After this event, the location was called as Mashhad al-Ridha ("the place of martyrdom of al-Ridha"). Shias and Sunnis began visiting his grave on pilgrimage. By the end of the 9th century a dome was built on the grave and many buildings and bazaars sprang up around it. During more than a millennium it has been devastated and reconstructed several times.
In 993 the holy shrine was ruined by Saboktakin, a Ghaznavid king. However, in 1009, his son Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni ordered the shrine to be repaired and expanded. About 1150 Sultan Sanjar, a Seljuq king, renovated the sanctuary and added new buildings after his son was miraculously healed at the shrine. Later, Sultan Muhammad Khodabande, an Ilkhanate king who converted to Shiism, renovated the holy shrine around 1310. The celebrated Muslim traveler Ibn Battuta visited Mashhad in 1333 and reported that it was a large town with abundant fruit trees, streams and mills. A great dome of elegant construction surmounts the noble mausoleum, the walls being decorated with colored tiles. Opposite the tomb of the Imam is the tomb of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, which is surmounted by a platform bearing chandeliers. However, the tomb of Harun al-Rashid is not considered sacred, as he was responsible for the murders of the 6th and 7th Shia Imams.
In the 15th century, during the reign of the Timurid Shahrukh Mirza, Masshad became one of the main cities of the realm. In 1418 his wife Goharshad funded the construction of an outstanding mosque beside the shrine, which is known as the Goharshad Mosque
Yaldā: Iranian celebration of winter
Iranians around the world celebrate Yaldā, which dates back to the time when a majority of Persians were followers of Zoroastrianism prior to the advent of Islam. On Yaldā, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness....
Iranians around the world celebrate Yaldā, which dates back to the time when a majority of Persians were followers of Zoroastrianism prior to the advent of Islam. On Yaldā, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. Considered the longest night of the year, Yaldā is the night when ancient Persians celebrated the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light. Ancient Persians believed that evil forces were dominant on the longest night of the year and that the next day belonged to the Lord of Wisdom, Ahura Mazda. On this night, family members get together (most often in the house of the eldest member) and stay awake all night long. Dried nuts, watermelon and pomegranate are served, as to God for increasing his bounties, as well classic poems are read aloud.Iranians believe those who begin winter by eating summer fruits would not fall ill during the cold season. Therefore, eating watermelons is one of the most important traditions in this night. Pomegranates are reminders of the cycle of life--the rebirth and revival of generations. The purple outer covering of a pomegranate symbolizes birth or dawn, and their bright red seeds the glow of life. As days start lengthening, ancient Persians believe that at the end of the first night of winter which coincides with December 21 this year, darkness is defeated by light and therefore they must celebrate the whole night. Coinciding with the beginning of the winter, Yaldā is an occasion to celebrate the end of the crop season. Today, it is an event to Lord for all blessings and to pray for prosperity in the next year...
Top Iran Tours
14 days around Iran Tehran to Tehran
14 days Tehran to Tehran
Day 1
Arrival at Tehran, meet your private tour guide, transfer to Hotel, Overnight Tehran.
Depending on your arrival time and your preference, have choices of Northern Tehran sightseeing.
Enjoy diner by the Darband streams where you can see young Tehran citizens walk up and down the stream.
Day2: Old Tehran Walking Tour
...Read more14 days Tehran to Tehran
Day 1
Arrival at Tehran, meet your private tour guide, transfer to Hotel, Overnight Tehran.
Depending on your arrival time and your preference, have choices of Northern Tehran sightseeing.
Enjoy diner by the Darband streams where you can see young Tehran citizens walk up and down the stream.
Day2: Old Tehran Walking Tour
Let’s walk together in Tehran most chaotic area! The central part of Tehran. We will go to visit a palace which have seen three dynasties and more than 7 kings lived there and 4 kings had crowning ceremonies in it, Golestan Palace. After enjoying a cup of coffee in Golestan palace garden we can go to the enormous bazaar of Tehran and ramble through it, when we get enough of it, let’s enjoy a traditional Persian food or a Kebab.
After lunch we will go to National museum of Tehran and get the chance to know these thousands- year- old priceless pieces.
If it is days between Saturday and Tuesday we can substitute National Jewelry museum with any of the main attractions.
Day 3: Kashan
On the way to Kashan, we may stop in Qom to see the mullah’s city and give a visit to Masuma shrine, th second holy shrine in Iran.For visiting this shrine ladies are supposed to wear traditional way of hijab which will be provided by shrine officials.
Giving a visit to Fin Garden in Kashan then move to the center of the city and enjoy lunch in one of Kashan’s historical houses.
After lunch doing some sightseeing: Broujerdi & Tabatabii Houses the residence of merchants who brought the Persian carpet into fame more than a century ago.
Accommodation : Historical house
Day 4: Deset and ities in the middle of Desert
If you are not claustrophobic we will walk in the corridors of underground shelter in Nushabad, Near Kashan and after that we will head to Abu Zeid Abad to enjoy desert and Dunes.
After visiting a two floor Qanat in Ardestan we will head to Nain.
Going to Nain a city in the middle of desert where we can give a visit to one of the oldest touristic mosque in Iran and having a scenery of a ruined castle by the side of it. If it’s not a public holiday we can visit caved handmade textile workshops in Mohammadieh.
Overnight Ardakan or Aqda
Day 5 :
In the morning Drive to Chak Chak a Zaroastrian fire temple in the mountains.
Then on the way to Yazd visit Maybod and its attractions Dovecots were old form of land fertilizer factory which are extinct now. Though you can see one of the renovated ones in Meybod and if we are lucky and the pottery workshop is open we will make vase of our own!
After Checking in to the hotel and a short rest going to Mirhakhmagh and a two floor water reservoir where Iranian traditional body building takes place in it.
Day 6 :
Yazd is the city of Zoroastrian’s: visiting Ostudans(grave), Temple, and if you like a new museum about their lifestyle.
We will walk through narrow turning allies and visit the magnificent entrance of Jame mosque with its tall minarets and amazing ceramic work.
Dowlat Abad Garden is a Persian garden which was built centuries ago.
In the evening we will enjoy tea in one of roof café in old part of town to enjoy sunset.
Early night to be ready for the next day long drive.
Day 7 :Pasargad
To day we have one of the longest drive on our way to Pasargad.
On the way we will stop in Abarkuh by the 4000 years old cypress tree and enjoy a good cofee there. Then drive the rest of the way to Pasargad, near Pasargad there is a restaurant which serves Pasargad’s local food which is specializedto that area and cooked by local housewives.
After this enjoyable lunch, Let’s go to a place where Persians are the most proud of, Cyrus the great tomb!
Over night Aghamir eolodge in Sa’adatshahr.
Day 8: Persepolis, necropolis
( probably you have read all about this main site ) so I keep calm and let you enjoy it with a dedicated guide of Persepolis!
In the evening meet warm Iranians in Hafez tomb reciting his poems.
Overnight Shiraz
Day 9:
Early in the morning visit the marvelous glass and light work in Nasirolmolk mosque.
Explore the beauties of Zand architecture: Vakil mosque, Vakil Hammam and
AttractiveMoshir Serai In bazaar with tantalizing handy crafts and artwork.
Day 10 drive to Isfahan
You’ll enjoy the 33Bridge and Khajoo Bridge after checking in to your hotel in Isfahan.
Day 11 :Isfahan
Marvel at the amazing royal square (Meydan-e- Naghshe Jahan).
Imam mosque perplexing features besides the impressive tile work at Sheikh Lotfollah mosque will give you the impression of how perfect were Persian tiles art, then it’s the time for plaster art in music room at Aliqapoo palace to amaze you after enjoying lunch we can enjoy the beauty of Chehel sotune (40 columns).
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Day 12: Isfahan
Going to the Armenian neighborhood, visiting Vank church which has the characteristic of Zoroastrian Muslim and Christianity all to together after that we and enjoy live traditional Persian music at music.
If you were in the mood of short hike we may go to Ruins of Zoroastrians fire temple to have a panoramic view of Isfahan.
Did you know there were shaking minaret in Isfahan which literally shakes with 5 Richter if you shake the other brick minaret with pushing and pulling by hands?!
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Day 13: Abyane
Visit this exotic village which was so remote that they could keep Their language safe after Muslim Invasion and still talk in old Persian language named Pahlavi.
On the way Natanz
Overnight Abyaneh
Day 14:
Depending on your departure time Drive To IKIA
Drive 4 hours to Air port.
2 Days of Kashan
This tour is specialized for watching the process of making herbal water and enjoying the smell of blossoms. Moreover, we've chosen the highlights of the amazing city of Kashan.
A cosy old guesthouse is provided as the accommodation and local dishes as the meals, in this tour.
Arrival and departure are Tehran and the vehicle, depends on the number of travelers, can be sedan, minibus or bus.
Qashqaei nomads Tour
Hi there!
...Read moreHi there!
Would you like to herd sheep with the Qashqaei shepherds? I have a planned trip to the Zagros mountains, near Shiraz. There, we can meet the Qashqaei nomads, a people that have remained separate from the mainstream Iranian society. It’s guaranteed that you will be immersed in their authentic culture. During your stay, you yourself will become like a nomad. As many nights as you wish, you can spend sleeping under the stars in the tents that the Qashqaei themselves stay. In the morning, you too will wake up to make bread with your hosts. Your meals will include natural, organic, and fresh milk products like yogurt and cheese made by you and your hosts. During the day, you can learn special crafting techniques using string firsthand. You can even dress like the Qashqaei by wearing their colorful traditional clothing!
If you don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity, don’t hesitate and call me. I can plan a visit based on the number of days you wish to spend on this trip. Imagine, you could become friends with the Qashqaei nomads and visit the awe-inspiring Zagros mountains!
See you soon!