All posts tagged: Persian Traditions

Nan-e Barbari – Persian Flatbread

Nan-e Barbari – Persian Flatbread

Nan-e Barbari is a Persian flatbread, usually 70 – 80 cm long, and tastes best fresh from the oven. It is most baked and sold in Iran. The bread is very similar to the Turkish flatbread, but not quite so thick and round but thin and oval. If you plan a trip to Iran, you should visit a Noonvai – a persian bakery. The bread is baked in the morning, at noon and in the evening ,fresh and in front of your eyes. Each bakery is specialized in one type of bread and bakes it in a stone oven. In Iran, we have four different types of breads baked in stone ovens, for example Nan-e Sangak is from rye flour and is baked on pebbles, Nan-e Lavash is wafer-thin patties made from wheat flour without yeast, and Nan-e Taftoon is from whole wheat flour.

Haft Sin Impressions 2023 هفت سین ۱۴۰۲

Haft Sin Impressions 2023 هفت سین ۱۴۰۲

This year Nowrooz is overshadowed by the violence against the people of Iran. We do not feel like celebrating this year, so I have designed my Haft Sin in the sign of peace. I have directed my peace sign on porose facing upwards, as the tree growing upwards stands for life and its new beginning, hoping for a new Beginning in Iran. The tree pointing downwards, as we know it from the Peace sign, means death or the end. I placed six wooden bowls with Samanoo, Sumach, Sekeh, Senjed, Sir, and Sib around my Sabzeh. I have explained the meaning of the symbols in this post. Flowers and candles in the trend color “Viva Magenta” are placed in vases and on glass and wooden chandeliers. I hope you like my Haft Sin Impressions 2023 هفت سین ۱۴۰۲. Watch Video on Instagram 

Chaharshanbeh Suri - The Persian Festival of Fire

Chaharshanbeh Suri – The Persian Festival of Fire

On the last Tuesday evening before the Persian New Year, we celebrate Chaharshanbeh Suri – The Persian Festival. Several rituals are performed on this fire festival to purify the body and mind. Chaharshanbeh means Wednesday, and Suri means light and also fire. In my childhood, this caused some confusion. Why is it called Wednesday and celebrated on Tuesday? It’s the last night to Wednesday before Norooz, the Persian New Year, a festival celebrated at the spring equinox. The Origin of this festival dates back to the Zoroastrian era based on the Tsarathustra’s beliefs. On this day, we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. After all, we are approaching the equinox in a few days. The Fire Festival is an announcement of spring and the revival of nature. Watch Video on Instagram 

Norooz Sprouts

Norooz Sprouts

Sabzeh is a symbol of spring, a part of the Haft Sin for Norooz and symbolizes vivacity, liveliness and the beginning of new life, bursting from the seeds. Today I’ll show you how to start growing your own Sabzeh for Norooz, or Easter Grass for Easter, from lentils or wheat. We grow Sabzeh from different seeds some grow it from lentils, others from barley or mung beans. I like to grow Sabzeh from wheat seeds as to my eyes the green of wheat grass looks beautiful. Watch daily the seeds turn into beautiful green grass. You can grow Sabzeh Norooz Sprouts with or without soil. I’ll show you the version without soil. You will need some time in advance and should start 10 – 14 days before Norooz or Easter. Watch Video on Instagram