Introduction to Yazd Sweeties
The Yazd Sweeties express the culture, art, and climate of the area. Some of the sweeties of Yazd have many fans and are admired all over Iran and the world; Wherever they are, they remind us of the desert city of Yazd, with warm-hearted people. The city of Yazd, known as the city of windbreaks, is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, and because of its muddy texture, it is also known as the city of bricks. The magnificence and historical monuments of Yazd invite every tourist from all over the world. The city has a particular reputation and popularity due to its outstanding and unique variety of traditional local foods and pastries.
Yazd Sweeties are delicious and enchanting in the first place. Even from behind the shop windows, they can be tempting and delicious. The variety of traditional sweeties in Yazd is so great that it is hard to pick one to buy; You will come to yourself, realizing that most of the travel expenses are spent on buying traditional sweets in Yazd.
Yazd Sweeties, baklava or Lovuez (Loz or Luz)
Baklava is prepared not only in Iran but also in other countries such as Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Russia; In Iran, baklava is famous in four regions of Qazvin, Gilan, Tabriz, and Yazd. The sweet that is prepared as baklava in Gilan has a different shape and taste; its preparation method is different from others. The appearance of Qazvin baklava is similar to Yazd’s, but the taste of the two is totally different. Tabriz baklava is almost no different from Turkish baklava. Yazd baklava also contains a marvelous taste and aroma. Is it possible to be a guest of the unique city of Yazd and not to taste the pure honey flavour of its exquisite Luz? Yazdi baklava or Luz consists of rosewater, sugar, cardamom, flour, baking powder, egg yolk, sugar soil, pistachio powder, almond powder, Egyptian Willow Water, milk, and oil. Baking such a delicious pastry does not require an oven at all.
Lovuez is one of those delicious Yazd Sweeties, so similar to baklava, belonging to the same family. Yazd’s famous baklava is produced in pistachio Lovuez, almond Lovuez, coconut Lovuez, Tarhimi Lovuez, plus mixed two-colour Lovuez. Different types of Luz are made in the same method, with the slight difference that the taste of each is different from the other. For instance, in coconut Loz, coconut is predominant, and in almond Loz, almonds. Egyptian Willow Water is also used to prepare Egyptian Willow Loz, which gives it a unique taste and smell. Types of Luz sweeties, like their name meaning in Persian, are in the shape of rhombuses (Lozi).
Sohan as a delicious Yazd sweet
The people of Yazd have introduced two types of Sohan, known as Sohan Ardi and Khani, as the traditional sweet of their land; They are tasty and popular in their kind as many orders are sent daily from Yazd province throughout the country, even beyond the borders. The inhabitants use wheat germ, wheat flour, animal oil, sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, liquid oil, and cardamom water to cook Ardi Sohans. Ingredients in Khani Sohan include cinnamon, sugar, egg yolk, oil, cardamom, pistachio kernels, white flour, and wheat germ flour. The use of wheat germ, animal oil, and various nuts in Sohan has made it a sweet with high nutritional value.
Qottab (Ghotab) as a Yazd Sweeties
The variety of traditional sweets in Yazd is so great that Yazd is called Persia’s city of sweets. Between the dozens of sweeties, the Qottab is the best. It is popular with many people because of its flavour and size, although people are usually not satisfied with just one Ghotab and do not give up until they have finished the box. Indescribably pastry with the powdered sugar that sits on our fingers when we take each piece of it, putting the finger in our mouth to taste its unparalleled taste; it is truly gratifying. The sweet is so popular among the Yazd inhabitants, and in addition to various occasions, they like to grab such a pastry in the evening with a cup of freshly brewed tea.
The advent of Qottabs dates back to more than a hundred years ago when the first confectionery workshops appeared in Yazd. Qottab has two types of Yazdi and Asali (Asal in Persian means honey), which are world-famous. In general, there are two parts, the outer layer, and the inner core. The inner core consists of cardamom, powdered sugar, and almond powder. The outer layer is like fried bread in butter, wheat flour, egg yolk, milk, and yogurt. After preparing the bread, it is rolled in powdered sugar. Qottab Asali (Soaked in honey) has only one difference from Qottab Yazdi; instead of using powdered sugar, the baker uses honey to sweeten the taste. Qottab Yazdi is so sweet and enchanting, usually is served at parties with bitter tea. Not only the bitterness of tea but also all the bitterness of the world can turn into sweetness through the Ghotab sweetness.
Nan Berenji
Yazdi Nan Berenji is another example of delicious, fragrant, and traditional sweeties in the Yazd people’s diet. Such a pastry is mainly known as the sweet of Kermanshah province, but Yazd also has recipes for preparing these delicious sweets. Yazdi Nan Berenji has its aroma and is one of the most famous sweets in Iran, especially in Yazd, which is served at parties. These sweeties provide a pleasant taste, containing three main ingredients; rice flour, wheat flour, and powdered sugar. Nan Berenji is usually prepared in Yazd for Nowruz. The pastry includes rice flour, wheat flour, eggs, rosewater, cardamom, oil, and sugar; There are also different types of Nan Berenji in Yazd, among which we can mention two saffron and simple types.
Sohan Ardi is one of the tastiest in Yazd Sweeties
Sohan Ardi is one of the traditional and authentic sweets of Yazd, which is now one of the most popular sweets in Iran and even in some foreign countries. Ingredients for preparing Sohan Ardi are cardamom powder, oil, sugar, cardamom water, wheat germ flour, saffron, and rosewater, put together with particular artistry, and the delicious sweet is baked.
Sohan Ardi is produced in a circular shape with a thickness of about one centimeter; A tasty pastry made of natural ingredients to strengthen the body. The sweet is semi-dry, crunchy, and brittle, plus due to the use of wheat germ flour, it is so tonic and energizing. In addition to being a snack, it is an alternative to sugar and candy to have besides hot beverages.
Haji Badam
Delicious, flavorful, and fragrant confectionery is called Haji Badam, which has a good place among Persian families; Such a lovely sweet is one of the local and traditional sweeties in Yazd, which is also nutritious and rich due to the almonds in the recipe. The positive point about Haji Badam is that it is not too sugary so you cannot help yourself. You can find Haji Badam in three cities of Yazd, Kashan, and Shiraz, and each of these cities has its method of cooking the sweet.
In Yazd Sweeties, Haji Badam ingredients are almonds, eggs, cardamom, powdered sugar, cardamom, rosewater, and pistachio powder. In Kashan, in addition to almonds, the sweet has chickpea flour, and instead of cardamom, it contains ginger. Shirazi type, in addition to almonds, also has wheat flour. Haji Badam is usually packed with Lovuez, baklava, Nan Berenji, Qottab, and Sohan, which create a complete showcase of delicious Yazdi sweets.
Pashmak or Persian Cotton Candy
Pashmak is one of the most delicious candy floss or cotton candy made of sugar in Yazd Sweeties. Persian Cotton Candy is light as straw, soft as cotton, sweet as honey, and tastefully. The name Pashmak is tied with the name of Yazd; Although the texture is similar to cotton candy, both method and ingredients are different. All kinds of cotton candies are so attractive for children, but the Pashmak is so popular that even adults serve it with tea at most of their parties in Yazd. Maybe it is the secret of Yazdi people’s kindness and sweetness. Undoubtedly, such an enchanting sweet will eliminate all the tiredness of the day, putting a smile on their face. The Pashmak ingredients are; Flour, oil, sugar, vinegar, and water. If you add saffron, cocoa, coffee, or other artificial flavours to Pashmak when preparing it, you can have different tastes.
Nan Panjereh
Another delicious and memorable of Yazd Sweeties is Nan Panjereh (also known as Khatoun Panjereh, or Monagha). The name comes from the sweet’s appearance as it is shaped windows (Panejereh in Persian), which has made the tasty sweet more palatable. The sweet is also popular in other parts of the county; usually, women prepare it at home, with different designs such as butterflies and round. But in Yazd, another mold is used to prepare window sweets, and it has a distinct taste. Ingredients include rice flour, wheat flour, starch, eggs, saffron, rosewater, oil, and water. In preparing it, the sweet’s shape is so significant also using powdered sugar is common to decorate it. These sweets are deep-fried after the raw substances are formed. The Nan Panjereh is easy to prepare, it takes a little time to cook, and you do not need any special cooking skills to make it.
Cake Yazd
Cake Yazdi is one of the most famous, delicious, and popular of Yazd Sweeties. You can find the original Yazdi cake in the only city of Yazd, and it is different from the so-called Yazdi cake that is baked all over Iran. You can see the cake at religious occasions, parties, and ceremonies. The feature of Yazdi cake is its easy and quick preparation. Such a cake has a soft and different texture that makes it different from other cakes. Ingredients include wheat flour, yogurt or milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, fruit salt, baking soda, powdered sugar, baking powder, cardamom, oil, or butter; Bakers add pistachio and almond slivers to decorate Yazdi cake. In most cases, Yazdi cake is served with milk. Depending on the taste, most people like to have some Cake Yazdi while drinking tea.
Shami Cake
Yazdi Shami cake is one of the traditional and gratifying Yazdi sweets. The pastry is from the Yazdi cake family as the preparing method is almost similar to the Yazdi cake. But the main difference is that it is baked in board shape, then it will be cut, and in the last stage of production, when the cake is still in one layer, first-grade rosewater pour on the surface, the rosewater penetrates throughout the texture, and the whole cake becomes sticky. The excellent taste of roses penetrates the cake, so the delicious Shami cake is ready. In Yazd, the sweet is also called Baklava Shami and has its fans. This product is for Haj Khalifeh Ali Rahbar sweets, the oldest and most famous confectionery of traditional sweets in Yazd.
Noghl or Sugar-Coated Nuts
In addition to the variety of many traditional sweets available in Yazd province, the small and portable food of the same name has found its special fans throughout Iran. Quotes from sweets that are prepared in many cities of Iran and different ways. This sweet is very suitable for spending with tea due to its small volume and low sweet taste. Noghl has different flavours and ingredients prepared with almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and burdock. In addition, you can find different feelings of Noghl as cherries, coriander, rosemary, saffron, and vanilla. The Yazdi Noghl main ingredients are vanilla, cardamom powder, tartar, sugar, water, burdock, almonds, pistachios, and walnuts. Marriage ceremonies are among the times that serving and designing with Noghl is common.
Yazd Sweeties, Halva Ardeh or Tahini Halva
Halva Ardeh, one of Ardakan’s products, is a Nutrient-Rich sweet due to the sesame and the tahini ingredients. In preparing such sweet, sesame without the skin is roasted and then ground. Other ingredients include citric acid, egg white powder, and sugar. In addition to the Yazd inhabitants, Halva Ardeh is a favourite pastry of many people at breakfast. It may be interesting to know that the city of Ardakan in Yazd is called Ardakan because of its unique Tahini (Ardeh in Persian) production. The Halva Ardeh is so delicious and popular that today, with the addition of new condiments and flavours such as orange juice, new packages have been introduced to the market. Yazdi Halva Ardeh is different from those sold in other cities since it is natural, and in some cases, it is even prepared and produced by hand.
Sorouk Yazdi Bread
Bread is the dominant food of the Persian people, and each city has its unique kind of bread. Sorouk Yazdi bread is one of the bread types popular among the Zoroastrians of Iran, especially in Yazd. In the past, Zoroastrians used to prepare Sorouk bread for their ritual celebrations. Yazdi women usually cook it for the death anniversary. Although it is hard to bake, the experience of tasting a professional Sorouk bread will be unforgettable. The inhabitants suggest that the bread should be consumed while it is hot because the taste of hot Sorouk is much more pleasant than when it is cold. The traditional bread is dipped in sugar. Ingredients are Sangak bread flour, water, salt, coriander seeds, safflower, sourdough, and sesame oil to cook it.
Faloodeh
One of the most delicious desserts and drinks in summer is Faloodeh. Such dessert is prepared in different cities with distinct methods, such as Shirazi Faloodeh and Kermani Faloodeh. Although Shirazi faloodeh is very famous and is offered in most parts of Iran, Yazdi Faloodeh is also unique. In addition to the taste, the method of serving it is specific. It is made from starch, egg, rosewater, syrup, and water and is served with a syrup of water, sugar, and rosewater. You can also make it without nectar.