The Jewel of Azerbaijan: A passionate tale of pomegranate devotion
The pomegranate: a delightful and revered fruit, cherished for its taste, beauty, and healing powers by Azerbaijanis Discover its culinary uses, vibrant festivals, and thriving industry in Azerbaijan
The pomegranate, with its delicious taste, appealing appearance, and numerous medicinal benefits, has been celebrated and revered by various religions and cultures around the world for its natural gifts.
The ancient Greeks linked the pomegranate with the underworld, while Jewish beliefs associated it with the 613 seeds representing the commandments in the Torah. Believed to have originated in the region from Iran to northern India, pomegranate shrubs (Punica granatum) spread quickly to the Mediterranean and China. The fruit continues to be a popular ingredient in many Middle Eastern cuisines and is highly valued in countries such as Turkey, Armenia, and Iran.
Azerbaijan is a country where the pomegranate, known as nar in Azerbaijani, holds a revered status as the national symbol. It is difficult to find another place that celebrates the pomegranate as much as Azerbaijan does.
Located in Nakhchivan, the Alinjagala (Alinjagala Castle) played a crucial role in the medieval history of Azerbaijan as a defensive stronghold against enemies. Often referred to as the "Machu Picchu of Azerbaijan," it holds significant historical importance for the region.
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Pomegranates in cuisine
Narsharab is used as an accompaniment to grilled or fried fish.
The pomegranate, known locally as the "king of fruit" due to the crown-like shape of its sepals, holds significant importance in both cuisine and culture. In the "Land of Fire," visitors will be amazed by the abundance of ruby-red pomegranates in bazaars and grocers stores, and fascinated by their versatile uses. From being juiced, made into jams and sauces, to enhancing national dishes like plov (pilaf) with their jewel-like arils (seeds), the pomegranate's uses are incredibly diverse.
Feride Buyuran, author of "Pomegranates and Saffron: A Culinary Journey to Azerbaijan," shares unique ways to use pomegranates. For example, adding the tangy arils to meat dishes balances the richness of the meat and aids digestion, as seen in nargovurma.
In the Goychay region, pomegranate arils are turned into sugary preserves called nardancha, creating a refreshing drink known as sharbat. These preserves are used to sweeten tea and drizzled over rice pilafs. Additionally, a tangy molasses-like syrup called narsharab, made from pomegranate seeds, is essential for grilled or fried fish dishes.
The peel and seeds of the pomegranate are utilized in medicinal and cosmetic products. Known as the quintessential superfruit, pomegranates offer significant health benefits, with online articles praising the antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamin C, and folic acid found in the seeds and juice. Additionally, pomegranate wine, originally made in rural homes, has now become a signature product of the country and can be enjoyed in trendy wine bars in the capital city of Baku.
Pomegranate is a key ingredient in many delicious Azerbaijani dishes, including the popular dish narnumru. In this dish, eggs are fried on a bed of sautéed pomegranate arils and onions.
"The locals of the Salyan region, situated alongside the Kura River, take great pride in their exotic delicacy - levengi. This traditional dish involves stuffing poultry, game bird, or fish with a delectable mixture of walnuts and pomegranates before roasting to perfection."
Nargovurma is a delicious dish that is a must-try. It consists of chicken or meat stewed with onions and chestnuts, and is topped off with a generous amount of pomegranate seeds towards the end of cooking. The dish is traditionally served with bread or rice pilaf.
In Azerbaijan, the pomegranate holds a special significance beyond its culinary uses. Cultivated in local orchards and traded along the Silk Road for thousands of years, the fruit has become a cultural icon that has inspired local artists, writers, and even fashionistas.
"Pomegranates are highly significant in Azerbaijani culture and tradition, serving as the national fruit representing abundance, blessings, and fertility. From folk tales and poems to art and design, pomegranates are ubiquitous," explains Buyuran. "If you have the opportunity to visit the Sheki Khans Palace in the northwest, be sure to observe the 18th-century fresco in the khans' meeting room, which showcases a striking pomegranate tree, symbolizing the garden of paradise."
Azerbaijan's affection for the pomegranate is evident in the works of renowned poets including Fuzuli and Nizami Ganjavi, as well as in the dynamic art of local luminaries like Sattar Baklulzade, Tair Salakhov, and Togrul Narimanbekov, as noted by artist Delyafruz Baghirova.
According to Baghirova, "Our traditions hold that the pomegranate symbolizes love. In the past, expressing love verbally was considered impolite, so men would convey their emotions by presenting a pomegranate to their beloved. It also signifies fertility, prosperity, and harmony."
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Pomegranate festival
Pomegranates have been revered throughout history in Azerbaijan.
Goychay, located in the Aran economic region at the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains in north-central Azerbaijan, is renowned for producing the most flavorful pomegranates in the country, despite the fruit being grown in various regions.
The annual Pomegranate Festival, a beloved rural celebration in Azerbaijan, traditionally takes place at the end of October or beginning of November. It was held for the first time in four years this past November due to the coronavirus crisis. The festival, which began in 2006, attracts thousands of people, including locals and tourists bused in from Baku, who flock to the central streets of the usually tranquil town. The streets are lined with stalls selling juicy pomegranates grown across the Goychay region's 32 villages, coinciding with the pomegranate harvest.
The country's diverse climate allows for the growth of over 60 different varieties of pomegranates in various shapes, sizes, and colors. These are showcased at the Goychay Pomegranate Festival, along with an array of pomegranate products such as juices, jams, sauces, cakes, wines, and dried peel, which is sold for its medicinal properties.
At the festival, stages are set up for performances of national music and dances, and the air is filled with the aroma of kebabs being cooked in the many little cafes. There are also competitions to honor the largest pomegranate, the most beautiful "pomegranate girl," and the fastest pomegranate squeezer. The contests change annually to keep things interesting.
In Azerbaijan, Nar Bayrami, as it is known, is exceptionally unique, leading to its inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.
Yanar Dag - burning mountain. Azerbaijan. closeup
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Pomegranate industry
Pomegranate harvests have inspired an annual festival in Azerbaijan.
Nar Bayrami provides a glimpse into Azerbaijan's thriving pomegranate industry, a key player in the nation's agricultural sector. In 2022, the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association reported a total production of 187,000 tons of pomegranates, with 15% of the harvest being exported to international markets.
A significant portion of the exports went to Russia and Ukraine, but efforts are being made to expand the market for Azerbaijan's prized pomegranates in Europe and China. The country's favorable climate and soil make it a major player in the global pomegranate market, with high export potential.
However, climate change poses a potential challenge, as changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather could impact local pomegranate cultivation. To address this, local farmers are being urged to introduce climate-resilient varieties and adopt more sustainable water management practices.
But regardless of fluctuations within the industry, Azerbaijans centuries-long affection for the pomegranate is sure to remain unchanged.
