Top 10 Armenian Foods You Must Try

Armenia is a country of beauty and ancient cultures that is also best known about its delicious and traditional food. Being sandwiched between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, this state does not have only beautiful landscapes and historic sites to offer to its visitors, but it also provides the plate of a cuisine which tastes like the Mediterranean spiciness mixed with the Middle eastern spices and the Caucasian wholesomeness. The cuisine of Armenia is constructed out of fresh products, homemade bread, meats, grains, herbs, as well as a keen regard of culinary traditions whose heritage has been passed over the generations.

Be it roaming the commercialized streets of Yerevan or visiting some of the rural villages, you are bound to be lured by the fresh aromas of lavash being baked in the oven or khorovats being grilled on an open fire. An Armenia Tour Package would not be an ordinary trip to an enchanting nation, but a food adventure that you should enjoy. These are the top 10 Armenian foods that you definitely should not miss when visiting the country.

Here are the Top 10 Armenian Foods You Must Try

1. Khorovats (Armenian Barbecue)

One of the national pride in meat dishes of Armenia is Khorovats. It is a grilled meat, most commonly pork or lamb, marinated in a mixture of herbs and spices and cooked on an open fire or in an old fashioned tonir (clay oven). The smoky and juicy taste of khorovats is made even better by the festive air, it is often celebrated in gatherings, weddings and family feast. Serve it with grilled vegetables and lavash to get an unforgettable dinner.

2. Lavash (Flatbread of Tradition)

Lavash is not only bread, but also a part of The Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO as a symbol of the Armenian Society. With its minimal ingredients (flour, water and salt) its rolled out into a thin flatbread and smacked against the walls of a hot tonir. It is eaten with almost every Armenian meal and it is used to wrap meat, cheese or herbs. It is an experience to watch how lavash is made.

3. Dolma (Stuffed Vegetables or Grape Leaves)

Dolma is a very popular recipe of the region, Armenians have their own special touch to this dish. The traditional one is grape leaves, minced meat, rice, herbs and onion filling. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants stuffed with rice mixed with herbs are used in vegetarian versions. Dolma is a tasty comfort food, and it is served warm with some matsun (Armenian yogurt) which is considered to be the symbol of Armenian hospitality.

4. Harissa (Wheat and Meat Porridge)

This is a thick dish rich in the Armenian history and is particularly popular on Easter. Harissa is cooked porridge-like tripe, prepared with korkot (cracked wheat) and chicken or lamb, stewed to become creamy and thick. It is a symbol of endurance and strength as it is traditionally cooked over night. It is normally accompanied by melted butter and fresh herbs.

5. Ghapama (Stuffed Pumpkin)

Ghapama is aesthetically and a food treat. This holiday meal includes the pumpkin that is opened and stuffed with the cooked rice mixed with dried fruits (apricots, prunes, raisins), nuts, honey, and cinnamon. After stuffing, a pumpkin is cooked till soft. Ghapama can be found on special occasions, such as Christmas or a wedding and it is one of the best examples of how Armenians love to integrate the sweet and savory tastes.

6. Basturma (Cured Beef)

Basturma is a speciality food you should try out, in case you love spiced meat. This cured beef is dried in the air and proceeded in a paste of spices (fenugreek, paprika, garlic, and other strong spices). It is cut thin, and requires to be eaten with cheese and olives or put into sandwiches. Basturma is known to be favorite appetizer and a choice souvenir to foodies.

7. Manti (Armenian Dumplings)

These are small pieces of dough that contain spiced minced meat, normally beef or lamb that are then baked in an oven. Manti comes out crispy after baking, and it is customarily accompanied by rich tomato or garlic yogurt sauce. The meat in the crunchy outside and juicy inside is a crowd pleaser among the locals and the tourists.

8. Zhingyalov Hats (Herb-stuffed Flatbread)

Zhingyalov hats is a vegetarians dream and is an Artsakh native dish. It is a flatbread stuffed with a mixture of between 10 and 20 varieties of finely chopped wild herbs and

greens cooked on a griddle. The distinctive blend of herbs is refreshing as well as satisfying and gives a sense of freshness and bitterness. It is ideal as either a snack or a light dinner.

9. Khash ( Bone Broth Soup )

Khash is a winter specialty that is not everyone can handle, but still has a rich history of being an Armenian delicacy. It is prepared by boiling cow feet all night and ends up as a gelatinous soup to be served warm and normally taken first thing in the morning. It goes well with garlic, lavash, and vodka. Though its texture might be weird, the locals promise that it is warm and healing.

10. Sweet Pastry Armenian Gata

Every Armenian meal would be incomplete without dessert and gata is the right dessert. This long-standing pastry is cooked in different styles depending on the region and has soft dough filled with sweet mixture of butter and sugar known as khoriz. It is mostly made into rounds or rolls in an incredibly looking way and is best served with Armenian coffee or tea.

Conclusion

The food of Armenia is a nice illustration of the culture and the history of the country. Armenian cuisine is diverse enough to satisfy any taste with the savory meat meals, vegan specialties, and sweet pies. Its plentifulness of herbs, common ingredients and the way of cooking filled with love makes each dish a story to taste. Travelers who are fond of culinary experiences are probably the ones that should explore the local food scene as one of the best ways to know the soul of Armenia.

On preparing your travel itinerary, you should not expect to leave food experiences behind in your आर्मेनिया टूर पैकेज. And even the meals, whether you are eating at the roadside table of a charming village or in a contemporary restaurant in the city of Yerevan, every bite would take you closer to the core of this beautiful nation. Do not be surprised by the beauty of Armenia, by its ancient church buildings and monasteries but be surprised by its divine tastes and cultures as well.