Update Date: May 13, 2024
What do you know about Persian cuisine? What are the basics of Persian food? What is the origin of Persian food? If you want to discover the delicious world of tastes, please scroll down; we have good news.
With its unique cooking methods, Persian cuisine is among the most wanted in the world’s cooking schools. In a word, it deals with colors, tastes, aromas, and texture to provide a healthy and cured dish for a beloved. Please keep reading to discover Persian cuisine in detail.
Persian cuisine, widely known as Iranian cuisine, covers the authentic dishes of Iran’s four sides. Persian cuisine is interwoven with Iran’s glory, and some foods date back thousands of years, and their footprints are detectable through the pages of history.
Historians acknowledged that cooking foods and pottages started during the reign of Zahhak the snake shoulder (a detestable figure in Iran’s mythology), and his court’s chefs had to cook for his shoulder’s snakes.
One of the trustable sources that reveal facts about Persian cuisine is Khosrow and Ridag, which describe Iranian culture, particularly Iranian food culture during the Sassanian empire. Iranian cuisine was significantly impacted by Arabic cuisine due to the Arabs invasion.
However, some Iranian chefs served famous Persian foods in the Abbasid caliphs’ court and introduced Iran’s food names. Iranian philosophers and physicians such as Avicenna widely influenced Iranian food preparation and helped people mix ingredients properly.
In fact, they believed that food could cure pain, so if people consumed them properly, they would never get sick; on the other side, nature would give them a cure if they got sick. Consequently, Iranian people prioritized food and its preparation.
Persian Cuisine History
The journey of creation moves towards betterment, as people blend nature’s gifts with their creativity, aiming for diverse yet simple food preparation methods. This simplicity hides profound wisdom and sophistication, shaping modern cuisine’s foundation.
Around 2500 years ago, during the reign of Cyrus the Great, Iran’s culinary history began its tale. As the Persian Empire expanded under Cyrus‘s rule, stretching from India to Egypt and parts of Greece, the fertile lands of the Iranian Plateau provided a bounty of natural ingredients. Agriculture, a vital aspect of society’s economy, flourished, fostering a unique culinary style. Today, this style stands as one of the world’s three culinary pillars, alongside Chinese and Roman cuisines.
Historical records, including writings, documents, and archaeological findings, reveal lavish feasts held at Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid). These gatherings showcased elaborate foods and drinks served in metal or clay vessels, giving a glimpse into ancient dining customs.
Iranian cooking techniques gradually spread across the empire and beyond, thanks to the Silk Road. Iranian spices like saffron and rosewater, along with indigenous fruits, vegetables, and grains such as lemons, eggplants, rice, and various cereals, found their way to Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, China, and Syria.
Despite the fall of the Achaemenid Empire and subsequent Arab conquests, Iranian culinary traditions remained resilient. Instead of fading, they influenced Arab, African, and Asian cuisines, becoming integral parts of diverse culinary landscapes worldwide.
What Are the Basics of Persian Cuisine?
Rice is one of the foremost Persian food ingredients, followed by meat and vegetables. The beneficial white seeds of rice grow in different parts of Iran, such as northern and southern provinces; at first, it was a luxurious dish in wealthy people’s homes but step by step, ordinary people added it to their menu.
It is served in two types: polo and kate, which differ in detail. Nowadays, farmers of northern provinces like Mazandaran and Gilan cultivate the most delicious and aromatic rice. Some well-known types are:
- Black-tailed rice;
- Lenjan rice;
- Tarom rice;
- Smoked rice;
- Champa rice.
Animal husbandry plays a critical role in Iran’s economy, and ranchers help produce the market’s required meat. As you know, meat is the second most wanted item in Iranian cuisine, and most dishes consist of white or red meat.
Indeed, polo and stew are integrated with Iranian food culture and its gentle cuisine. Iranian people take advantage of Persian spices, meat, and rice to invite everyone to the magical world of tastes, colors, and aromas.
Nobody can close their eyes to traditional Iranian food, especially Kabab Koobideh. Vegetables are another critical item in Persian cuisine, and Iranian chefs take advantage of various types, such as:
- Onion;
- Tomato;
- Potatoe;
- Mushroom;
- Eggplant;
- Garlic;
- Parsley;
- Celery;
- Spinach, etc.
Ghormeh Sabzi, or the vegetables’ stew, is one of the most popular Persian foods that is made with a selection of aromatic and tasty vegetables like fenugreek. All in all, Persian cuisine is far beyond words, and a picture is worth a thousand words, so it would be nice to join Iran, the country with the best chefs, and test what you have read up to now.
What Is Traditional Iranian Food?
Persian cuisine focuses on bringing balance to human beings’ bodies, so Iranian chefs select everything widely, ranging from rice, meat, and spices to drinks. For instance, they care about food temperament and advise suitable dishes to family members.
One of the classic Iranian foods is Fesenjan stew, made of pomegranate sauce, meat, ground walnut, and spices, which is chiefly served in winter. On the sweltering days of the year, we add a cold temperament dish to our table, like Ash-e doogh, to control body temperature. Some of the traditional Iranian foods are:
- Zereshk polo;
- Saffron chicken;
- Gheimeh stew;
- Loobia Polo;
- Dolmeh;
- Tahchin;
- Celery stew;
- Abgoosht;
- Kufta;
- Noodle pottage, etc.
If you like to prepare any of these delicious foods and are looking for a Persian cuisine cookbook, please visit our store to find our unique books written by a native Iranian author to help you enjoy the heavenly taste of Persian foods.
What Are the Significant Features of Persian Cuisine?
The gentle art of cooking deals with preparing the main ingredients to make a healthy and tasty dish; in other words, food can be a good reason to gather around a table and visit each other.
The best Persian cuisine recipes are provided by Iranian chefs who master the art of mixing beneficial ingredients; undoubtedly, they have shaped authentic Persian cuisine’s backbone and made it a prideful legacy.
Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath, physician, astronomer, and thinker. The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna describes the equilibrium between the organs of the human body as:
- Hot versus cold;
- Moist versus dry.
According to Avicenna’s viewpoint, in order to be in an ideal and normal body condition, one should pay attention to their food. Since the heart is hot and the brain is cold, these two organs need to be in equilibrium.
Persian cuisine is a typical art that concentrates on healthiness. As you see, Iranians believe that food is a cure, and Avicenna, the great Persian physician, proved that nature can heal human beings. If there is a disease, there is a solution for that in nature.
It doesn’t mean there isn’t at all if we didn’t find it yet. There are no incurable diseases- only the lack of will. There are no worthless herbs- only the lack of knowledge. Ibn Sina’s knowledge about nature, fruits, herbs, foods, and their effects on the human body strongly influenced Persian cuisine.
Iranians benefited considerably from his knowledge in their meals. As he discovered the relationship between natural foods and their healing properties, Avicenna’s knowledge is passed from generation to generation. Iranians have learned how to take full advantage of the local herbs by drinking herbal teas or using them in their recipes.
Why Is Persian Food So Healthy?
Persian food’s reputation for being healthy stems from its emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients, balanced flavors, and traditional cooking methods. Several factors contribute to its healthiness:
- Abundance of Fresh Produce: Persian cuisine incorporates an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and legumes. These ingredients are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to overall health and well-being.
- Whole Grains: Whole grains like rice, barley, and bulgur are staples of Persian cuisine. They provide essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and sustained energy, promoting digestive health and aiding in weight management.
- Lean Proteins: Persian dishes often feature lean protein sources such as poultry, fish, and lamb. These proteins are typically prepared using minimal added fats and oils, making them heart-healthy options.
- Healthy Fats: While Persian cuisine includes fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds, they are used in moderation. These sources of healthy fats provide essential fatty acids, which are beneficial for brain function, heart health, and inflammation reduction.
- Herbs and Spices: Herbs and spices like saffron, turmeric, mint, and parsley are integral to Persian cooking. Not only do they enhance the flavor of dishes, but they also offer numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Low Sugar Content: Persian desserts typically contain lower amounts of refined sugar compared to Western sweets. Instead, they often feature fruits, nuts, and honey for natural sweetness, reducing the risk of blood sugar spikes and promoting better metabolic health.
- Cultural Eating Habits: Persian dining culture emphasizes mindful eating, with meals typically enjoyed slowly and in the company of family and friends. This practice encourages portion control and prevents overeating, contributing to weight management and overall health.
- Traditional Cooking Methods: Persian cuisine relies on cooking methods such as grilling, steaming, and braising, which help retain the nutritional integrity of ingredients while minimizing the need for excess fats and oils.
In essence, Persian food’s healthfulness lies in its reliance on fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients, balanced flavor profiles, and mindful cooking practices, making it a delicious and nutritious choice for promoting overall well-being.
What Are Specific Types of Persian Cuisine?
Persian cuisine covers foods from four sides of Iran, including:
- Northern cuisine;
- Southern cuisine;
- Kurdish cuisine;
- Turkmen cuisine;
- Balochi cuisine;
- Azerbaijan cuisine.
Balochi cuisine
Food illustrates each region’s history, culture, and tradition, and the story repeats for Balochistan (one of the southern provinces in Iran). This five thousand years place is the land of date, so Balochi cuisine is integrated with this black and sweet fruit.
The inhabitants of Sistan and Balochistan raise cattle, so the meat is another most used item in Balochi cuisine. Some traditional Persian cuisine recipes that you may find here are:
- Dooghpai (a tasty stew made of meat, sour ayran, split peas, tomato sauce, and spices);
- Kaskk zard (consists of ground meat, turmeric, hot pepper, and kashk powder);
- Zaboli Abgoosht (named ghatogh and made of meat, split peas, tomato, onion, and Persian spices like turmeric and black pepper);
- Lenjoo (or fish Abgoosht made of fish, ayran, fried onion, and spices).
Turkmen cuisine
Turkmen cuisine refers to the cooking methods of people living in the Golestan and Khorasan provinces. The first tasty food in Turkmen cuisine is Chakdarmeh looking like Estamboli (a mixture of rice, meat, onion, and French bean). Turkmen enjoy this delicious dish with ayran, Shirazi salad, and fresh vegetables. Other famous dishes are:
- Bastarmeh (a type of polo made of rice, pomegranate seeds, onion, potatoes, and fish);
- Borok (a kind of finger food consisting of ground meat, onion, and potatoes fried in hot oil);
- Other tasty items.
Southern cuisine
Southern Iran invites everyone to Persian spices, aromas, and colors like cumin and hot pepper. Southern cities, especially Khuzestan, are the birthplace of unique dishes such as:
- Falafel (a burger made of peas and spices served with Torshi);
- Ghalieh mahi or fish stew (made of fried fish, vegetables, hot pepper, and spices);
- Samosa (a type of pain filled with meat, peas, onion, and potatoes), etc.
The generous Persian Gulf encircles the southern cities of Iran, so fish, shrimp, and clams are the main Persian dishes in these touristy places. If you prefer seafood dishes test southern cuisine.
Kurdish Cuisine
Kurdish cuisine refers to cooking heavenly foods in western counties of Iran. The productive farms of Kurdistan Province help raise various vegetables, including potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes, walnut, fig, etc. Women of Kurdistan combine the required ingredients to make some popular foods in Iran like:
- Silvered almonds stew (made of silvered almonds, meat, black barberry, saffron, cinnamon, and dried lime);
- Rhubarb stew (consists of rhubarb pieces, meat, dried mint, parsley, and spices);
- Acanthus stew (a tasty stew made of acanthus tender pieces, meat, chopped parsley and mint, sour grapes juice, and spices);
- Okra stew (this delicious food is prevalent in Kurdistan and Arab countries and includes okra, meat, tomato sauce, garlic, and spices).
If you travel to Kermanshah province, you may enjoy a well-known dish made of tender pieces of ribs. In Kurdistan, you can test one of the world’s traditional fast foods, Kelaneh, a vegetable bread served with sour ayran, waiting for what? Join the colorful atmosphere of Kurdish cuisine.
Northern cuisine
Northern cuisine, Mazandarani cuisine, or Tabari cuisine refers to the cooking and eating habits of northern people of Iran who consume local vegetables, rice, and fish. Agriculture and the growth of fruits of northern counties like bitter orange and lime directly influenced their cooking; for instance, people mostly use rice due to the vast rice farms.
Rice plays a critical role in Northern cuisine ranging from bread to cooky and halva (a soft dessert made of flour, saffron, sugar, butter, and aromatic Persian spices like cardamom.) Northern cuisine is among the most diversified options in Iran, so if you enjoy the taste of garlic, rice, and fish, head toward one of the best restaurants in Gilan or Mazandaran provinces. Some famous northern foods are:
- Kaei Pela (made of rice, pumpkin, meat, cumin, and butter);
- Malata (stuffed fish);
- Spena Pela (made of rice, spinach, garlic, turmeric, and salt);
- Tam Pela (made of rice, meat, raisin, saffron, rose water, cumin, pepper, and turmeric).
Azerbaijan Cuisine
Azerbaijan cuisine concentrates on the cooking style of northwest Iran, which signifies people’s rich eating culture. It is one of the tasty branches of ancient Persian cuisine that evolved according to the cold temperature of this mountainous area.
This unique cooking style includes mouthwatering pottages for freezing winter days to balance the body’s temperature. Kufta, as a traditional Iranian food, emerged in the hands of Azerbaijan women. Some of the most delicious dishes in Azerbaijan cuisine are:
- Dolmeh (made of rice, meat, vegetables, and spices wrapped in grapes leaf);
- Carrot stew (includes carrot, meat, saffron, cinnamon, and prune);
- Shir polo (includes rice, milk, raisin, walnut, saffron, and meat);
- Kabab Bonab (made of ground meat, onion, and spices).
Make Your Gatherings Memorable by Persian Cuisine
Persian cuisine focuses on staying healthy and strong, so food recipes evolved around this goal; consequently, Persian food recipes found their way to many international launch and dinner tables.
What makes Persian cuisine specific is close attention to the main ingredients’ temperament to prevent the body temperature imbalance; thus, cold and hot temperament items are served to guarantee human beings’ healthiness.
Iranians believe that food stands behind sickness and healthiness. If you like making delicious and healthy dishes or want to know Persian cuisine in detail, we have an excellent suggestion for you; our store is loaded with various cookbooks helping you find easy Persian food recipes and surprise your family and friends at special gatherings.
Do you need help finding a good Persian cookbook? Please feel free to contact us; we are here to familiarize you with Persian cuisine and food culture. Our helpful cookbooks are a great source of Iranian food recipes in Farsi; indeed, it kills two birds with one stone.
You cook new foods and meanwhile learn a new language. If you are ready for this exciting experience, give me five and take my hand to join the wonderful aroma of Persian cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Food Is Iran Famous for?
Iran is famous for Abgoosht, Ghormeh Sabzi, Fesenjan, and Kabab Koobideh.
Is Iranian Food Healthy?
Persian cuisine is among the healthiest cooking styles due to the balance between food ingredients.
Why Is Persian Food Not Spicy?
Persian cooking focuses on making mild dishes, so spicy food contradicts this principle.
What Makes Persian Cuisine Unique?
Persian food enjoys a wise mixture of tasty and helpful ingredients because the body simultaneously needs meat, vegetables, and other elements.
What do Iranians Drinks with Food?
Ayran is the most popular Persian drink that goes well with various dishes.