Unchained Words: Embracing Azerbaijan's Affection for Pomegranates
The ancient Greeks linked it with the underworld, while Jewish folklore claimed it contained 613 seeds representing commandments in the Torah. Born in a mystic region spanning from Iran to North India, the pomegranate plant (Punica granatum) swiftly sprouted westwards to the Mediterranean and eastwards to China, eventually carving a special niche in the recipes of cuisines like Iran, Turkey, and Armenia.
Yet, few places pay such adoration to this regal fruit as Azerbaijan, a South Caucasus nation boasting its national icon, the nar (pomegranate in Azerbaijani), as an almost holy symbol.
Pomegranate's Role in Culinary Delights
Entrenched in their culture and cuisine, pomegranates, majestically referred to as the "King of Fruits" due to their crown-like calyx (kelch blades), hold a significant place in the Azerbaijan food scene, bewitching tourists with piles of ruby-hued fruits adorning markets and stalls. Visitors, intrigued by the fruit's diverse culinary uses, discover its numerous applications, from fresh juices to authentic jams, sauces, and garnishing ethereal dishes like Pilaw (Pilaf).
Feride Buyuran, author of the inspiring cookbook "Pomegranates and Saffron: A Culinary Journey through Azerbaijan", shares her insights into the fruit's lesser-known delights. "It is common to enhance the taste and nourishment of meat dishes. Kernel usage balances richness and aids digestion – an example being nargovurma," she reveals.
Physically invigorating and full of nutritional benefits, sherbets crafted from pomegranates quench thirst, while their kernels simmered in sugar turns into a unique, tangy confection called Nardancha, utilized as both a sweet dessert and a condiment sprinkled on Pilaf. The elixir-like, molasses-like Narsharab syrup, made from pomegranate kernels, enriches grilled or fried fish dishes.
Beyond their culinary significance, the pomegranate shell and kernels possess medicinal and cosmetic uses. Famed as the "Queen of Fruits," simply nibbling on pomegranate seeds or sipping fresh pomegranate juice can contribute myriad health benefits, as testified by countless online articles boasting its full range of antioxidants, polyphenols, and Vitamin C and Folate contents.
Traditional Pomegranate Wine, a Cherished Azerbaijani Offering
Vintage pomegranate wine has been secretly brewed in local homes for generations, recently appealing to modern wineries, transforming it into a hallmark of Azerbaijani culture and gourmet trend. Azerbaijanis invite visitors to explore the urban terraces of its bustling capital, Baku, and savor casual encounters with this classic beverage.
Pomegranates also play vital roles in quintessential Azerbaijani dishes.
"The narnumru dish features eggs poached on a bed of pomegranate kernels and sautéed onions," tells Buyuran.
"An awe-inspiring spectacle! The locals in Salian nad Kura are proud of this exotic delicacy."
Then there's "levengi," where poultry, game birds, or fish are stuffed with walnuts and pomegranate paste before roasting, followed by the ever-popular nargovurma, as detailed by Buyuran: "Made with onions and chestnuts, simmered herb-seasoned poultry or beef chunks, and at last, a generous helping of plump pomegranate kernels. Serve this dish with bread or Pilaw, and you have a feast fit for royalty."
Pomegranates Mean More to Azerbaijanans than a Simple Fruit
Grown in local orchards and traversed along the ancient Silk Road for centuries, pomegranates have developed into more than just a culinary staple in Azerbaijan. Their cultural significance has become almost interwoven with Azerbaijan's identity, punctuating folklore, literature, art, fashion, and beyond.
"Pomegranates have a significant place in the Azerbaijani culture and tradition," remembers Buyuran.
"They symbolize plenty, prosperity, and fertility. Pomegranates – in fairy tales, poems, art, and design, have served as a steadfast source of inspiration for generations."
Visit the 18th-century Palace of Khans in Sheki, a western territorial jewel, and observe the magnificent pomegranate tree depicted in the throne room's frescoes, a metaphorical representation of the Garden of Eden.
"One can find Azerbaijan's love for pomegranates even in the verses of renowned poets like Fuzuli and Nizami Ganjavi, and in the vibrant canvases of celebrated local contemporary artists like Sattar Baklulzade, Tair Salakhov, and Togrul Narimanbekov," provides cultural influencer and artist Delyafruz Baghirova, who echoes the belief that the pomegranate is a symbol of love and unity.
Pomegranate Festival
Although pomegranates are cultivated across Azerbaijan, a special place stands apart: the aforementioned town of Goichay, nestled in the Alan economic zone, near the Kaukasus Mountains in north-central Azerbaijan. Here, pomegranates stand out for their unique delectability, as testified by travelers who journey from the capital, Baku, on buses.
Even during the high-demand harvest season, joining thousands of pilgrims – locals and tourists alike – trooping through Goichay's bustling streets, tourists are spellbound by the tender, ruby pomegranate juices, and bountiful local markets.
Though roughly a rectangle, pomegranates exhibit up to 60 distinct varieties, presenting a diverse palette of forms, sizes, and colors, from pure white to the most vibrant of rubies. Numerous pomegranate products, from juices and preserves to sauces and pastries, graced the Goychay Pomegranate Festival. Ingredients like molasses syrup and dried pomegranate peel, used as a natural remedy, created by local tradition, were also available for purchase.
A traditional music and dance stage, filled with the aroma of grilled kebabs – an Azerbaijani favorite – drew cheers and laughter from spectators, who took part in annual competitions, honoring the largest and most magnificent pomegranates, charming "Pomegranate Girl" titles, and the country's fastest pomegranate press.
In 2020, this extraordinary celebration joined the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage Register.
The Thriving Pomegranate Industry in Azerbaijan
In the heart of the grand "Pomegranate Festival," the remarkable scale of the pomegranate industry in Azerbaijan becomes apparent. Despite being geo-culturally diverse, pomegranates significantly contribute to Azerbaijan's agrarian sector.
In 2022, Azerbaijan exported over 14% of its total pomegranate production to foreign markets, notably Russia and Ukraine. Despite continuous international negotiations, Azerbaijan aims to extend its pomegranate reach to additional European and Chinese markets, thanks to its favorable natural conditions and extraordinary growth potential.
As Azerbaijan's pomegranate industry continues to evolve, officials keep a watchful eye on climate challenges, constantly encouraging farmers to cultivate climate-resistant varieties and promote sustainable irrigation practices.
Nevertheless, despite industry shifts, Azerbaijan's ardor for pomegranates will endure forever.
Aájátımızla! (Bon Appétit!)
Nar Bayramı, the Azerbaijani version of the famed Pomegranate Festival, embraces visitors with its appetizing flavors and age-old customs, thus showcasing the depth of pomegranates' role in Azerbaijan's culinary culture and the country's ongoing love affair with the legendary fruit.
Yet, pomegranates go beyond the kitchen, nestling deep within the fabric of Azerbaijan's society, an expression of love, prosperity, and unity. Join us in a trip through the kingdom of breathtaking landscapes, cherished traditions, and delicious pomegranates.
