saffron_red gold_Khorasan_Souvenir

The scientific name of saffron is crocus sativus.The history of saffron’s cultivation in Iran (especially in Ghaenat) dates back to over 3000 years ago. As saffron is native to eastern Iran’s harsh desert environment, this colorful and precious plant doesn’t have branches or lots of leaves, just corms and flowers.

They’re also known as red gold or desert gold in Iran. 110 – 170 fresh flowers are used to produce a gram of saffron. To produce a kilogram, 150,000 fresh flowers are needed. Demand for saffron’s taste, aroma and color, its increasing usage in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, as well as restrictions in cultivation and production, all contribute to the high price of the product. Iran on average produces 90-93% of total world production of saffron (between 200 to 300 tons a year).

The main growing regions are the desert and arid areas of South Khorasan. In fact, saffron is one of the only a few plants that grow in this harsh condition. It only flowers twice a year – in November and again in early December. As saffron is native to Iran and has had a significant influence in its culture, the plant is a passion for many Iranians.

A number of branded saffron stores dot the shopping areas in Mashhad and if coming to Iran means getting your share of saffron then do stop by at one of these stores.

Antique Tabriz rugs & nuts_Souvenir_Tabriz

Tabriz,  the centre of the most beautiful carpets and the best quality dried nuts of Iran,  is situated in the northwest of the country.

Antique Tabriz rugs are distinguished by their excellent weave and by their remarkable adherence to the classical traditions of antique Tabriz rug design. But they cannot be distinguished by any particular pattern or by their coloration. The city of Tabriz, in northwest Iran , was the earliest capital of the Safavid dynasty, and it can claim to have been a center of carpet production longer than any other city in Iran.

Consequently, it is not surprising that the carpets woven there have been able to preserve the highest technical standards and the most varied repertoire. Antique Tabriz rugs offer classical medallion designs and a host of allover patterns as well in every color imaginable, from brilliant rich tones to soft pastels. What sets them apart from other Persian rugs is their quality.

Termeh_Souvenirs_Iran

Termeh is a type of Iranian handwoven cloth, produced primarily in the Yazd province. Termeh has been admired throughout history: Greek historians commented on the beauty of Persian weavings in the Achaemenian (532 B.C.), Ashkani (222 B.C.) and Sasanidae (226–641 A.D.) periods and the famous Chinese tourist Hoang Tesang admired Termeh.Weaving Termeh requires natural silk and good wool with tall fibers. Termeh is woven by an expert with the assistance of a worker called "Goushvareh-kesh". Weaving Termeh is a sensitive, careful, and time-consuming process; a good weaver can produce only 25 to 30 centimetres (10 to 12 in) in a day. The background colors used in Termeh are jujube red, light red, green, orange and black.

Owing to the difficulty of producing Termeh and the advent of mechanized weaving, few Iranian factories still produce traditionally woven Termeh. Both Yazd and neighbouring Kerman regions have the reputation of producing quality termeh. As is the case with Persian carpets, traditional Yazdi, as well as Kermani termeh, have a reputation of being of superior quality and workmanship.

Zand Complex_Shiraz

Zand Complex: It  includes Citadel,Bath,Mosque and traditional Bazaar,which is located in the center of Shiraz in Zand street among the oldest streets of Shiraz and near  the most and best hotels of this city.

The Arg of Karim Khan or Karim Khani Citadel: that resembles a medieval fortress from outside view and has a traditional Iranian building and a yard in interior part. This building is built in Zandiyeh Dynasty by Karim Khan who was a sincere king and is famous for his loyalty to the people and in one of rooms  you will face with some statues of the king and other people that is like they retell you the story of their lives.

Bath of Karim khan: It is a traditional Iranian bath that has turned into museum. In this museum which is full of statues, you will get acquainted with Iranian culture and traditional lifestyle of Iranians.

Vakil Mosque: There are places of worship  with extraordinarily beautiful in design and forms that show the art of Iranian. The iwans and court are decorated with typical Shirazi haft rangi (with seven colors) tiles and you can take beautiful photos in this place and enjoy your time.

Traditional Vakil Bazaar: In the past this bazaar was main store center of Shiraz and today it has become preferable place for the youths to go shopping or have gatherings because it has still kept its traditional and old environment. This bazaar has  old shops to buy all kinds of Persian rugs, spices, copper handicrafts and antiques.

Sohan_Souvenir_Iran

Sohan (Persian: سوهان‎‎) is a traditional Persian saffron brittle toffee. Its ingredients consist of wheat sprout, flour, egg yolks, rose water, sugar, butter or vegetable oil, saffron, cardamom, and slivers of almond and pistachio.

Gaz_souvenir_Isfahan

Gaz is one of the most popular souvenirs of Isfahan. The raw material for this famous sweet is manna which is obtained around the city.
The history of making Gaz in Isfahan backs to 450 years ago which was made in the different types of flour, bread, including pistachios, almonds and chocolate in traditional and industrial workshops.
Gaz manna is the root of a plant which is called bush or Gaz tree. The height of this mountain tree reaches a height of two meters and it usually grows in good weather in the mountains of Bakhtiari and Khansar.

copper handcrafts_IRAN

Copper which is used for handcraf. The cities of Iran in which there are different bazaars for this valuabale handcrafts are Tabriz, Isfahan, Zanjan.

 

souvenirs_Toreutics_IRAN

Toreutics is a term, relatively rare in English, for artistic metalworking,by hammering gold or silver (or other materials), engraving, Repoussé and chasing to form minute detailed reliefs or small engraved patterns. Toreutics can include metal-engraving – forward-pressure linear metal removal with a burin.

souvenirs_IRAN_Tabriz

Qurabieya is cookie from city of Tabriz.

handcrafts_souvenirs_IRAN

Art is a fine industry in Iran and is famous for its unique handicrafts. There are presently nine million Iranians,  involved in the production of handicrafts and other rural industries like Persian carpets, Kilim & Jajim, hand–made and hand-painted glassware and ceramics, pottery items and jewellery making.

Esfahan_handcrafts_souvenirs

The province of Esfahan is reputed for its handicrafts and can be considered as an important sector in this regard. Besides its own local products, specialties from other provinces of Iran are also produced here. Since this province is highly favored by tourists, it is an obvious fact that handicrafts play a vital part in this area. The most important of these are the following: Carpet weaving, brocade weaving, kilim (or a coarse carpet), enamel work, khatam (inlaid work), engraving on metal, silver work, jewelry making, ceramic and tiles and types of sweetmeats, such as 'gaz' and 'souhan'.