Faloudeh

Persian dessert from ancient times.

Faloodeh is a persian dessert eaten all over Iran as a sweet treat when out with friends or family. The three main ingredients are vermicheli noodles, sugar and rose water. Another version includes pomegranate syrup in which they pour on top to add more flavor. Others add cherry syrup on top for a cherry flavor. I think that the original flavor without pomegranate or cherry syrup is the best. Some also add some lime juice over top. This dessert originated in Shiraz and goes back to aorund 400 BC. Here, there are now industrialized packaged faloodeh that you can find in grocery stores. These add fake sugar and food coloring to their products and it doesn't taste the same as the ones back home. When I was younger, even though it was industrialized, the faloodeh bought here was tasty and my parents would say it was similar to what it tasted like back home. However, over the years it has changed to something artificial and too sweet. This comes to show how industrialization can change the flavor and taste of originally authentic foods.

This dessert is normally served with Persia's traditional ice cream called Bastani Akbar Mashti. You cannot find an equivalent to this ice cream anywhere. No where tastes the same as it does it Iran.