Armenia is a gastronomically rich country, exotic, unknown and distant for Europeans, so there are more than enough options for what to bring back from Armenia. I brought back a lot of culinary souvenirs, and if I wasn’t limited to just a small carry-on bag, I could easily fill a large suitcase.
Ararat brandy is one of the most famous products originating from Armenia. The production of Ararat brandy has a long tradition and the brand is known for its careful selection of grapes, traditional distillation methods and long aging in oak barrels. A gift box containing three 50 ml bottles of brandy aged 5, 7 and 10 years cost 4,750 AMD, which is approximately 11.60 EUR.
Dried fruits. Armenia has a long history of drying fruits. This gift set includes dried apricots, cherries, raisins, walnuts and almonds. One package purchased in a supermarket cost 3,590 AMD, which is approximately 8.60 EUR.
Dried apricots. Thanks to the specific climate and soil conditions in Armenia, apricots from this region have a unique and intense flavor, which becomes even more pronounced after drying. The apricot is also one of the national symbols of Armenia. A 150 g package cost 1,390 AMD, which is approximately 3.40 EUR.
Dried peaches. This dried fruit was my absolute favorite. One 150 g package of dried peaches cost 1,750 AMD, which is approximately 4 EUR.
Dried plums. Plums thrive exceptionally well in Armenia, so their taste is different from European ones. Here, there’s also a mix of classic and wild plums. One 110 g package purchased directly from the Aregi manufacturer cost 700 AMD, which is approximately 1.60 EUR.
Sujukh is a traditional Armenian sweet made of nuts (often walnuts) strung on a string and dipped in fruit juice, which is then allowed to harden. I chose pomegranate juice. One package cost 430 AMD, which is approximately 1 EUR.
Bringing back Armenian lavash bread is almost a must. I chose a non-traditional version with charcoal. A 290 g package cost 480 AMD, which is approximately 1.20 EUR.
Armenian wild mint tea. Herbs grow here in a pure mountain environment, which gives them a more intense flavor. Mint aids digestion, has calming effects, can alleviate headaches and helps with relaxation. Wild mint tea may have an even stronger therapeutic effect due to a higher concentration of essential oils. One 35 g package of loose tea cost 680 AMD, which is approximately 1.60 EUR.
Armenian coffee. As a coffee lover, I have to bring back coffee from virtually any country. This time, I didn’t have enough time to find quality coffee beans roasted in Armenia, so I brought back already ground coffee. One 100 g package cost 830 AMD, which is approximately 2 EUR. The coffee is 100% arabica.
Another package of Armenian coffee, this one cost 550 AMD, which is approximately 1.20 EUR. Again, 100% arabica.
Armenian Cookbook. The Armenian cuisine is so different from European cuisine that I was happy to bring back a small cookbook. This one is in English and contains the most famous Armenian recipes. It was relatively expensive, costing 6,000 AMD, which is approximately 14.40 EUR. On the other hand, I bought it at the Zvartnots Cathedral, so I hope I supported Armenian monuments with this amount.
What to snack on the plane?
The journey from Yerevan to Prague is long and the procedure at the airport is slightly more demanding because the ticket has to be issued at the counter. Therefore, a larger snack is handy, of course, again composed of local foods.
Chechil cheese is a traditional Armenian cheese, often described as “string cheese”. One 150 g package of three different types cost 760 AMD, which is approximately 1.80 EUR.
Exotic mulberry fruits. This delicious fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. If you’ve never eaten mulberries before and suffer from frequent food allergies, please be careful. I encountered an allergic reaction that wasn’t pleasant. However, if you don’t suffer from allergies, you’ll enjoy the fruits. Mulberries are remotely similar to blackberries but are much sweeter. They are very difficult to transport, so you rarely come across them in Europe.
Kumquat is my favorite citrus fruit. I love its bitter-sweet taste and the possibility to enjoy even its peel. During its season, you can commonly find kumquats in Armenian supermarkets.
Salami sticks. For a lighter snack with a certain amount of protein, I liked salami sticks in Armenia. One 60 g package cost 550 AMD, which is approximately 1.20 EUR.
Beef salami sticks. This 30 g package cost 300 AMD, which is approximately 0.80 EUR.
Chicken salami sticks. This 30 g package cost 300 AMD, which is approximately 0.80 EUR.
What did you bring back from Armenia?
