Unique fruits that you should try in Iran

So a few nights back I mentioned a bunch of my favorite Malaysian fruits, and then as usual since I try to give both of my favorite countries love and affection; I will write about a few really really odd and unique Persian fruits that we regularly have in Iran. I'm neither confirming nor denying that we would sell our friends and families for these fruits. Just kidding. Most of these fruits are really seasonal and so it depends on your luck and when you decide to visit Iran.

1) Riwas

This fruit is so rare that even people in Tehran don't eat it much. The English name is rhubarb, I've been speaking English for almost half of my life and I don't think I've ever heard that name, so don't even try. It's super famous for its extremely sour taste that will make your stomach churn in satisfaction.

The thing about Riwas is that it usually grows in mountainous areas in the mountains actually. Just imagine that, so a lot of workers go to these mountains and pluck them, it's more like a seasonal job for them. They then sell it in the city. Riwas grows in the spring from end of April to end of May; and it's usually a good Riwas harvest if it rained a lot that season.

(Couldn't find a better picture of riwas, so bear with this, also the top flower like parts are not edible)

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We also make Riwas stews which are an extremely delicious but quite rare stew. I really doubt you can find it in Tehran. So if you do travel to Iran around these time of the year, look for a very thin weird looking green stick and that's your Riwas.

2) Chaghale Badum

Next up we have this odd name, which I'm sure 99% of you guys can't even pronounce it so let's make it simple, Badum is almond and Chaghale, is basically the ripe almond. Okay that's still pretty confusing, let me elaborate further.

So you see almond need to grow on trees and then their outer exterior gets hard and they become dry and become the almond we all know. However in Iran, around spring time, we pluck the almonds way before they grow properly and then we eat them. You guys have no idea how amazing it tastes, it's so crunchy, fresh and chewy. Ugh I can't wait till I go back to Iran and get some.

This also comes around the same time as Riwas, from end of April to end of May. Because after that the almonds get too hard and you can't really eat them anymore.

(Chaghale badum)

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So please if you do see it in Iran, they pretty much have it everywhere it's not like Riwas, specially in Tajrish, you can find it in a second. Do try it.

3) Goje Sabz

This literally translates to green tomato, it's actually a type of plum, that is sour and green but because of its resemblance to small tomatoes, that's what we call it.

I don't know why all of our odd unique fruits are sour as hell, but this is the good type of sour, my mouth is watering even now. We eat it with a good amount of salt and enjoy it to bits.

This fruit also comes out in the spring, although it's there for quite a few more months than the other ones. It usually comes out in mid may and it's there till mid July. I definitely suggest getting some of it, it's amazing. All of my international friends are so in love with it and they always ask me to get them some when I come back to Malaysia from Iran.

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4) Pomegranate

Many countries have pomegranates so it doesn't count as a unique fruit in Iran; however it is still a pretty great fruit that you can find in Iran abundantly. It's also extremely cheap during the winter. Well pomegranates are usually abundant from December to March, the prices usually drop so much with them costing around 7, 000-8, 000 Tomans per KG. Now in Malaysia, pomegranates cost like 15 ringgits per piece. Can you believe that?

And they are so dry and tasteless; which is fine because pomegranates don't even grow here. Now Iran's pomegranates are actually called red rubies in Iran, they are that red. Pomegranate juices can be found in any juice station at any time of the year, not just winter. They actually have juice shops that are solely dedicated to selling pomegranate related products, you'd definitely love them, some of them are super sour though. Yes us Iranians love sour things.

5) Zalzalak

Just the name itself is so weird that I think it gives you an idea about the weirdness of the fruit. It tastes amazing though, it's a little sweet and sour which causes this extreme satisfaction of your taste buds. The name in english is 'hawthorn'

The fruit usually grows in north western parts of Iran, they are mostly consumed for all their benefits. Some of those benefits are: lowering blood pressure, lowering stress levels and being good for your heart. Basically it prevents heart diseases. It also has a lot of anti-oxidants, which are perfect. This fruits usually grows and comes out in end of September or basically autumn. During that time it can be found in any fruit cart all over the city, do make sure to try it and not miss out on it.

(Zalzalak)

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6) Toot

Now this next fruit is a type of fruit that everyone will love, I mean you would really really love this. It's so sweet and tender, oh gosh it will melt in your mouth and as you chew it, you feel like your mouth is bursting with flavor. In Persian we call it “Toot”, it's called “Morus” in English, which is like quite an odd name and again I don’t know it. Anyhow there are like a lot of different types of toots, but the most common ones, which can be found everywhere are white and black toot. Well the black toot has a color like blueberries but we call it black anyways.

Toot always comes out in the spring, which is around April to May, sometimes till end of June. There are a lot of Toot trees all across Iran and especially in small cities. I remember when I was younger we used to go and climb small trees, so we could pick some toot from the tree. Families also got together and went to pick some toot, they were such joyous occasions really.

(Black toot)

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But as for you guys, toot can be found in any famous bazaar or super market during the spring, they usually have the white ones and not the black ones. There are also dried toots, which we eat as a sort of snack alongside with almonds and all. They taste really good too but are super expensive. If there is one fruit I'm certain you guys would like is this one, so don’t miss out on it. Try it out if you are around Iran in spring time.

Hope you guys enjoy this, my mouth is watering like crazy.

Cheers.

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