As autumn leaves fall and a crisp chill fills the air, Armenians eagerly await the arrival of winter. But prepping for winter in Armenia takes place a lot earlier. Armenian housewives eagerly make the most delicious dried fruit, basturma, pickled cabbage, and more. In this blog post, we will guide you through the fascinating world of Armenian cuisine for Armenia winter time.
Armenian dried fruits
Armenian dried fruits have a history as rich and diverse as the nation itself. Armenians dry fruit not only to prep for winter but to enhance the natural sweetness of most delicious Armenian apricots, peaches, pears, plums, persimmon, and more.
One of the defining features of Armenian dried fruits is the traditional sun-drying method. Since Armenia is abundant with sunlight, drying fruit becomes very easy during summertime. Coupled with its dry climate, perfect conditions are created for naturally drying fruits.
I cannot fathom winter in Armenia without Armenian dried fruits. If you happen to be in Armenia, sure you must try some.
Armenian basturma
Amazingly, Armenians dry not only fruit but also meat called basturma. Basturma is a culinary marvel that has captivated taste buds for centuries. To create this masterpiece of Armenian cuisine, high-quality beef is coated with a blend of spices. The meat is then left to marinate. You will need to follow a curing process that involves seasoning and air-drying the meat. Armenians hang the meat in a cool, airy place to dry for about two weeks. I adore basturma omelet. Try it! You will like it!
Pickled cabbage
Armenians pickle not only cabbage but also carrots, cauliflower, garlic, onion, cucumber and celery. Some women are real masters of pickled vegetables. We eat them with potato or pasta. Normally you marinate sliced cabbage with vegetables in a mixture of water and salt. Some people add vinegar but traditional Armenian pickled vegetables are just water and salt.
Armenian tea
Winter in Armenia is a perfect time to enjoy a cup of Armenian mountain tea which is made from wild flowers and herbs that are gathered from clean mountain regions of Armenia and cultivated without chemicals. Today a lot of companies specialize in Armenian tea production offering a variety of herbal infusions made from wild herbs gathered in the alpine meadows of Lori region in Armenia. Some examples include Lemon Thyme, Wild Lemon Thyme, and Agnus Castus.
Wrapping up
Armenian winter is not only time to enjoy the most delicious Armenian cuisine. With its picturesque landscapes blanketed in snow, winter in Armenia is ideal for traveling. Prepping in winter in Armenia also includes having enough warm clothes and boots. And if you are fun of hiking, then sports winter boots are a must. Invest in a high-quality winter wardrobe that includes a heavy coat, insulated gloves, a cozy hat, and waterproof boots. It’s advisable to have several layers of cloth since the temperature can vary during the day. Visit one of the most undiscovered spots in the world and don’t be afraid to do it in winter!
