For some tourists, bringing back a souvenir from Iran is a precious way of keeping a living record of their trip. This souvenir can be a work of art or a culinary delicacy, charged with emotion and memory. A trip to Iran is distinguished by its plethora of Iranian souvenirs. Among the best of these are beautiful handicrafts and works of art, alongside gourmet souvenirs. Whether you’re buying for yourself or a loved one, here are a few ideas to keep in mind for inspiration! Let’s explore a brief description of the 10 best Persian handicrafts, culinary souvenirs and useful shopping tips.
A trip to Iran can be a unique experience for many tourists,and bringing back a little piece of Persia is important. Persian craftsmanship is a beautiful work of art that draws many visitors back to the creative subtlety of its creators. Persian culture has always been teeming with charming folk objects produced by Iranians and continue to fascinate travelers today. Persian handicrafts include Persian carpets, Khatam, Minakari (enameling), miniature painting, Ghalamzani(metal engraving), Ghalamkari, ceramics, pottery and turquoise! Souvenirs from Iran are both unique and steeped in history. We invite you to discover below which of these handicrafts might amaze you more than the others.
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The Persian carpets is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most exquisite Iranian souvenirs. Considered the country’s most treasured export. These carpets come in variety of styles, patterns and colors to suit every taste. Read our article providing the information on these Persian rugs, if you wish to buy one. we’ll tell you all you need to know about the various types of Persian rugs, plus an important guide to buying them, which is undoubtedly one of the best souvenirs you can bring back from Iran.
Finer, more symmetrical khatam are the sign of a good craftsmanship.It is a Persian inlay technique. This artisanal process has evolved over time to give rise to khatamkari. It involves cutting and assembling pieces of wood, metal, or bone into a multitude of different shapes. These pieces are then used to decorate a wide range of objects, from window frames to decorated wooden boxes. It’s not so easy to distinguish a quality khatam, as a good Iranian souvenir requires a certain expertise. Here are a few clues to help you identify the best khatams.
Before you buy a khatam, you need to take a good look at it : if it’s bulging, as is often the case and looks out of place, if it’s covered in dents, if the seams are visible or broken (since there are many of them)the preparation is sloppy, it’s a poor-quality khatam. High-quality khatam shows the exact opposite features. But where to buy quality khatam? High-quality khatam is produced in Shiraz, but also in other cities such as Isfahan and Yazd. The best regions for khatams are Shiraz and Yazd, but you’ll also find them in Tehran as well. As khatams are fragile products, they need to be handled with care, which is why most sellers present them to customers wrapped in paper or bubble wrap. To better protect it, place it in the center of your suitcase, under a layer of clothing at the bottom and top.
Minakari, Persian enameling, is a traditional Iranian handicraft! It consists of a surface, either metal or clay, coated with a beautiful colored enamel. Copper is the metal most often used in this technique, but sometimes the base is gold. Enamel ornaments, such as wall plates and vases, as well as jewelry, are precious souvenirs for travelers who have to keep their luggage weight in check. One of the main reasons these items are so expensive is their high artistic value. Paradoxically, despite their high artistic value, their relatively low price make them attractive to many tourists. Although the main center of enamel production in Iran is Esfahan, you can also buy beautiful, authentic enamel products in Shiraz, Kerman ,and Yazd. Finally, if you’re looking for enamel jewelry, Ahwaz is the enamel jewelry “capital” of Iran, offering light, colorful, and refined pieces that make ideal gifts.
Ghalamzani is one of Iran’s finest souvenirs and, above all, an ancient Persian art of hand engraving on various metals such as silver, brass, gold ,and steel. Using chisels and hammers engrave intricate designs, this skill consists of creating various motifs to suit the tastes of artists and customers, including floral, geometric, historical, or hunting scenes. Ghalamzani handicrafts take many different forms, from decorating wall plates and trays to boxes and vases, but they can sometimes be quite heavy. In such cases, it’s best to opt for smaller or lighter items. High-precision ghalamzani creations made on gold are especially favored by those seeking refined works of art, while less expensive metals offer more affordable options for tighter budgets. The best places to buy Ghalamzani souvenirs of the desired quality are Isfahan, Shiraz , and Tabriz.
Ghalamzani items can also be found in Yazd and Kerman. The following points will help you assess the authenticity of the Ghalamzani objects you are considering buying: authentic handmade objects are usually heavy, and no metal powder is used to imitate engravings. Don’t be surprised to discover imperfect patterns or deformations; Even handmade products may have a porous surface, with small or larger holes. If the price seems unusually low, you should question whether the piece was truly handcrafted.
Ghalamkari is an enchanting Persian art of drawing, painting or printing on fabrics by hand. Persian Ghalamkari features a limited number of motifs, of which cashmere is the most common. Cashmere, or Boteh Jegheh, is a pattern shaped like an almond or pine-cone that originated in Persia. Cotton is also one of the primary fabrics used for Ghalamkari. You can buy Ghalamkari in a variety of forms: tablecloths, bedspreads, prayer rugs and bags. Beautiful Ghalamkari items can be found in Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd . Ghalamkari is an attractive souvenir from Iran, thanks to its lightness and affordable price.
Termeh is a product of the Persian art of textile craftsmanship. It is a hand-woven Persian fabric, mainly in paisley patterns in several colors with blue being the most common. There are two types of Termeh: handmade and machine-made. But hand-woven Termeh is particularly fine and usually made from silk, which is often hard to find and expensive. To get the best quality handmade Termeh, you need to go to Yazd, as Yazd Termeh is today the most fashionable, although other traditional and modern shopping malls in Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran also sell it.
When we think of handicrafts, we often forget the tasty dishes, desserts and spices that can be purchased as souvenirs of a trip to Iran. For those seeking luxurious or exotic culinary souvenirs, the best to opt for are Iranian saffron, pistachios and caviar. For a lower budget, various foods, spices, and sweets also make great souvenirs.Here’s a look at some of the best Persian culinary souvenirs to bring back home.
In the charm of Iran’s traditional bazaars, the color and fragrance of the spices will seduce you. Saffron is the most expensive of the spices grown in this country, of which Iran is the leading exporter, and can be used as a seasoning or infusion. Iran’s most important saffron cultivations are in Torbat Heydarieh, Qaenat and Birjand, in the province of Khorasan, and in Estahban, in the province of Fars. In addition to the crops, many stores throughout the country sell saffron, one of Iran’s most precious and expensive souvenirs. Unless you buy saffron from trusted dealers, you should know how to tell the difference between real and fake saffron. Otherwise, you might end up with a fake, such as safflower.
Here are a few tips for those who have trouble finding real saffron. Real saffron smells sweet and tastes bitter. Real saffron comes in filaments (avoid powder!) To test further, rub the saffron filaments on a piece of paper and if there are any greasy spots, you’ve probably got fake saffron. King of spices, saffron, is a culinary souvenir from Iran to pack in every suitcase.
Iranian pistachios are one of Iran’s most famous souvenirs. Pistachios of the highest quality come mainly from Rafsanjan, in the Kerman region. Pistachios are among the most expensive nuts and are sold in different forms: shelled, unshelled, raw, and roasted. Iranian pistachios are classified according to size and shape into four categories: very long, long, round , or giant (Kale Ghouchi in Persian). Pistachios can be found almost everywhere in Iran, including Shiraz, Tehran and the province of Kerman. Be careful, though, and buy only fresh pistachios. It’s easy to find a small bag of pistachios, but loose pistachios are often cheaper. Don’t hesitate to choose from these wonderful souvenirs of Iran to please yourself or others.
Wherever you are in Iran, you’ll find delicious sweets that make perfect gourmet travel souvenirs. Full of rosewater and saffron, Persian sweets are in the spotlight. Shiraz, in southern Iran, is famous for masqati, a kind of rectangular halva.
Enjoy some sweets in Yazd, in central Iran: Qottab – a ball-shaped pastry filled with crushed almonds, Pashmak – traditional cotton candy, Yazdi baklava – a diamond-shaped pastry and Loz – a confection similar to Baqlava, but without dough. In Isfahan, Gaz is a very popular confectionery. And the neighboring region of Qom is home to Sohan: a traditional, fragile saffron caramel. For delights, visit the pastry shop of Fooman, a famous seaside resort in northern Iran, and buy fresh traditional cookies with hints of cinnamon and walnut .
If you’re ever lucky enough to visit Ourmia, a quiet little town in north-west Iran, you’ll be blown away by the profusion of local sweets that fill the town. Don’t miss the Dushab, a halva with grape syrup, the Halvaye Havij, a carrot-based confection, and the Halvaye Gerdoo, which features walnuts. If you’re in Tabriz, in Eastern Azerbaijan, let yourself be tempted by the delicious baklavas, irresistible puff pastries. According to your preferences, choose your favorite Iranian sweets and take them home as souvenirs of Iran. Whether as a treat for yourself or to share with loved ones, these delights are best enjoyed generously.
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