PERSIAN BREAKFAST

This is how our table is set in the mornings - a Persian breakfast. The table varies within each family depending on what they like.

Eggs

Normally, we boil the eggs for about 3-4 minutes so that the yolk isn't fully cooked. There are these special holders in which they are served in but since we didn't have those, I decided to just have normal sunny-side eggs. Don't get me wrong, we do eat eggs this way but traditionally the eggs are boiled.

Moraba ‘ye Beh

The quince tree is native to Iran. It is found grown wild in the Caspian woods that run from Astara and Katul in Gorgan as well as, Jahrom. It is a very ugly fruit with an amazing taste and aroma. Persians use quince to make a jam that is served at breakfast to be eaten with saar shir (cream off the top of milk) and bread. The flowers of the tree begin to show in late spring, while the fruit begins to rip in the early fall. The seeds are never thrown out as they have traditional medicinal properties.

Sarshir

This is served along with jam and bread for breakfast. Traditionally, milk is boiled for about two hours and then left to chill for hours to days. The thick milk fat that is found on top of the cooled milk is what we call sarshir.

Barbari Bread

This bread came from a tribe called Barbar who resided in Khorasan which was near the eastern borders of Iran. Barbers brought this bread to Reza Shah during the Qajar period. They were renamed the Barbari which meant barbarian or uncivilized but was later changed to Khavari meaning Easterners.Over the years, they lost this name and are no longer called the Barbari. However, the name of the bread hasn't changed. This bread is made to be 30 inches long and very thick. It is the thickest bread that Iran has. Normally, this bread is served along side the Persian feta cheese for breakfast.

Persian Tea

Persians drink tea for breakfast and after evry meal. There is not one Persian who can go without tea during the day. Persians brew and serve their tea a bit different from other cultures. Loose leaf (normally a version of earl grey) tea is poured into a tea pot, and some people like to add dried rose petals or cardamon. Hot water is then poured in the tea pot and the teapot is placed on top of the kettle for 5-10 minutes. When serving, fill half the cup with tea and the other half with hot water. Now, the proportion of tea to water changes depending on how the person likes to drink their tea. Some like to drink it dark and other like to drink it very light.

Fruit

This depends on the family and what the family prefers to eat in the morning. Normally, however, it is sliced oranges.

Persian Cheese (Panir) is a must and so is honey.