What to bring from Armenia: original gift and souvenir ideas | Guide Club

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Armenia is rich in traditions, craftsmen and natural resources combined with a good climate. There are gifts for every taste in her stores. You can choose ripe fruits, honey, and delicious chocolate. You may prefer organic essential oil, handmade ceramics, or an unusual musical instrument. Luxury carpets and jewelry are known far beyond the borders of the country. There are products that are not found anywhere else in the world. We have compiled a list of things that you can bring from Armenia as a gift or buy for yourself as a souvenir of your trip. Think about your purchases in advance and choose what will bring you and your loved ones more joy.

Armenian sweets

There are many traditional oriental sweets in Armenia, which are so difficult to remain indifferent to. For example, baklava is a dessert made from thin puff pastry, nuts and honey. Or churchkhela made from walnuts strung on a string, covered with a thick layer of grape or apricot juice. In autumn, when the harvest ripens, churchkhela is prepared both in factories and at home. It is sold on every corner. This is a good snack during a walk, because nuts provide the body with many nutrients, and grape juice provides vitamins and antioxidants. Churchkhela is stored for a long time and tolerates the road well, so you can treat your family and friends with it. Here are some more delicious options to bring from Armenia.:

• Gata. This sweet pie resembles baklava — it also consists of puff pastry and sweet nut filling. But its composition and cooking method are more complex, baking turns out to be tender and crumbly. Gata is usually prepared for a holiday. If you bring a pie home, then the very first tea party will give you a lot of pleasure.
• Alani. Juicy and sweet peaches ripen in Armenia, but they are not stored for long. But if you remove the bones from them and dry them in the sun, the shelf life increases to a year. Instead of a stone, a filling of nuts, sugar and spices is added to the fruit. Bright orange alani peaches are sold in markets and supermarkets. There are varieties of other fruits — prunes, figs, apricots.
• Exotic jam. Jam is made from everything in Armenia — even nuts, vegetables and flowers are used. The delicacy, prepared according to ancient recipes, turns out to be delicious, and for us it is also unusual. Why not bring mulberry, fig, rose petal, or dogwood jam with you? It is especially pleasant to eat it in winter, when there are fewer fresh fruits and berries.
• Lavashak. The name of this dessert means “little lavash”, but it is not made from dough, but from mashed fruits. The puree is spread in a thin layer on paper or film and dried in the sun. It turns out a plate that looks like a pastille or marmalade. Lavashak is made from plums, pomegranates, apricots, apples, cherries, figs and other fruits. Sugar is usually not added to it, so the taste may be sour.
• Doshab. Another way to preserve the benefits of ripe fruits is to make concentrated juice from them. It’s similar to syrup, but it’s made without added sugar. Mulberry doshab is especially appreciated in Armenia. It is considered a medicine for colds and coughs. Doshab is also made from grapes, pomegranates, apricots, and watermelons. It can be added to tea, desserts and pastries.
• Honey. Beekeeping is well developed in Armenia, and local honey is considered especially useful. It is harvested in ecologically clean meadows, often at an altitude of more than two thousand meters above sea level. You can choose traditional honey or with additives — nuts, berries, cinnamon. It is sold everywhere. In supermarkets, markets, and private apiaries.

Fruit

The favorite fruit of Armenians is the pomegranate, one of the symbols of the country. Images of guarantors made of ceramics or wood will be found in souvenir shops and markets. This image can be seen in jewelry, carpets, dresses and scarves. The best time to try ripe pomegranates is from October to December. But this fruit is perfectly stored and sold even after a few months. He can be safely brought home. It is believed that the best fruits are the heaviest and with an angular shape. Guarantors are eaten separately, added to salads and meat dishes.

But Armenia’s fruit abundance is not limited to pomegranates alone. The season begins in May, when cherries and strawberries ripen in the southern regions, followed by apricots. From June to mid—autumn, peaches of various varieties are sold – yellow, pink, white. Melons with watermelons also appear in June, but the sweetest and tastiest are in August. Many grape varieties have been ripening since mid-September. One of everyone’s favorite fruits of late autumn is persimmon, which loses its tartness and becomes sweeter by the cold weather.

Nuts and dried fruits

No matter how wonderful fresh fruits are, you can’t take away a lot of them, because they are heavy and voluminous. Some of them require delicate handling and are only available in their season. Nuts and dried fruits are another matter. They are sold all year round, stored for a long time, they are not afraid of transportation. Almost every family in Armenia dries fruits — some only for themselves, others for sale. Dried apricots, prunes, raisins, dried peaches, figs — the assortment is large. In addition to the usual dried fruits, there are varieties with fillings or in chocolate.

Delicious walnuts are growing in Armenia, and they are not exported. But you can buy it at the market and bring it home. Hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios and chestnuts are also harvested here. Nuts can be in their shells or peeled. You can buy sweets based on them — kozinaki, chocolate-covered nuts, candies.

Cheeses

Fruits, nuts and sweets are not the only food items that can be brought from Armenia. The country has developed animal husbandry, and there are many high-quality meat and dairy products. The cheeses are natural, they are made according to old recipes. In Russia, as a rule, there are no analogues. Here are a few varieties that are worth trying.:

• Lori. Hard cheese with a brittle structure made from cow’s milk. It is compared to Cheddar, but it has a sharper and richer taste with sour notes.
• Vats. Salty and spicy cheese with a porous structure is made from sheep’s or cow’s milk. Vats are added to khachapuri, and it is also customary to eat it with honey and nuts.
• Matsun. Strictly speaking, this is not cheese, but a fermented milk product similar to yogurt. It can be used instead of sour cream, added to oatmeal, mixed with fruit or jam.
• Chechil. The traditional brine cheese has an elastic consistency in the form of long fibers that are stretched into thin threads and braided. Sometimes it is smoked.
• I was winding it up. Very tasty pickled cheese made from sheep’s or goat’s milk, which is cooked for several months in wineskins or pots. It is not found in supermarkets, you can buy it at markets or farms.
• Kanach. The Armenian equivalent of Roquefort is cheese with mold, which is also cooked in pots or wineskins. The cheese has a soft texture and an insular taste.

Basturma and sujuk

In Armenia, they keep herds on free grazing. The meat turns out to be tasty and flavorful, with a high content of useful substances. To make sure of this, try the local basturma. For its preparation, beef tenderloin is used, which is pressed and wilted with salt and spices. It turns out to be a natural dark-colored meat product that can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. Its taste is spicy and burning. Basturma is elastic and dense, it is cut into thin slices and eaten as sandwiches. You can add it to salads, fried eggs and other dishes. Choose vacuum packaging for transportation.

Another meat delicacy is sujuk, which is made from ground beef with garlic and spices. Unlike other sausages, traditional sujuk is not boiled or smoked, but air-dried. The dehydrated product can be stored for a long time. In the past, it was massively cooked in the fall and then eaten all winter, now it is available in any season.

Canned grape leaves

A trip to Armenia means getting to know the local cuisine, which is impossible not to love. It is quite possible to repeat some of the dishes at home. When choosing which products to bring from Armenia, pay attention to the ingredients that are not easy to find in Russia. For example, canned grape leaves, which make a delicious dolma. It is usually prepared with meat, but other fillings can also be used — fish, cheese, cottage cheese, nuts, vegetables. Tender grape leaves are tightly packed in a jar and filled with marinade without artificial additives. One serving is usually enough for a kilogram of meat or other filling. The leaves can also be added to salads and soups.

In addition to grape leaves, you can bring with you traditional sauces and pastes made from pomegranate, plums, cherry plums, figs, and dried tomatoes. They are prepared with the addition of local herbs and spices. Any dish with them acquires a new taste and aroma.

Seasonings and spices

Armenian cuisine cannot be imagined without seasonings, more than a hundred types of them are sold in the markets. Many spices are also useful for our usual dishes — soups, cutlets, kebabs, salads. One of the best spices is saffron. It is not cheap, but in Armenia its price is much lower than in Russia. It is worth buying cloves, cinnamon and cardamom for baking, rosemary, paprika and coriander for meat, basil and tarragon for salads. Of course, you can’t do without peppers. If you are not very skilled at combining spices, take ready-made mixtures. For example, “Yerevan” or hop-suneli.

Spices are a universal gift from Armenia. They are light and low-volume, and all lovers of delicious food will be happy to use them. If you buy fresh, well-packaged spices, they can be stored for several months or even a couple of years.

Coffee and tea

Coffee does not grow in Armenia, but this country is famous for the art of roasting grains and making a drink. If you decide to bring one of the local coffee brands as a souvenir from Armenia, you will definitely be satisfied. But in order to get coffee with a deep taste and rich aroma, it is advisable to purchase a jezva as well. This is a traditional copper turk with a narrowed top and a wider bottom. To make coffee in jezve, it is slowly heated, bringing it to foam, but not to a boil.

High-quality jezvahs are made without seams and with double walls, inside there is a coating of silver or food-grade tin. The outside of the product is often decorated with embossed or engraved ornaments. Such Turks are sold in souvenir and coffee shops, as well as in markets.

If you prefer tea, try Armenian tea blends. Wild mint and other aromatic herbs, rosehip, hawthorn, raspberries, rose petals, and quince leaves are added to them. There are many varieties of tea, each has its own taste.

Natural oils and cosmetics

What should I bring from Armenia as a gift to a woman? Pay attention to essential oils from pomegranate, apricot and grape seeds, as well as from almonds and other plants. The oils are used to enrich the usual cosmetics and to make homemade soap. They are used to make face and hair masks, and they are also good for massage. You can buy ready-made cosmetics, which include the same oils and mountain herbs. These are organic hypoallergenic products. It is better to buy both oils and cosmetics in pharmacies or specialty stores.

Jewelry

Jewelry has been developed in Armenia since ancient times, so it is easy to find jewelry with unusual designs here. Their cost is often lower than the average Russian and European. The products of local brands with ethnic motifs are especially interesting, many of them have gained worldwide fame in recent decades. These are usually jewelry made of gold or silver — light and delicate, with pearls, emeralds, turquoise, garnets, obsidian and other stones.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, jewelry was worn in Armenia as amulets and talismans. In addition, they were inherited from generation to generation, contributing to the preservation of traditions. Even in our time, images of pomegranates, snakes, crescent moons and other ancient symbols are often found. Although these items resemble vintage ones, they fit well into a casual style. With them, the image becomes interesting and memorable.

Handmade carpets

A handmade carpet made of natural wool often becomes something that is brought from Armenia as a gift or for yourself, but it is better to plan such a purchase in advance. Carpets are difficult to manufacture and expensive, and shipping is somewhat difficult. But if you have long wanted a real oriental carpet that will decorate and warm your home, then a trip to Armenia is the best time to buy it. You will receive a unique item that can be inherited. Armenian carpets are known far beyond the borders of the country, they decorate homes, elite offices and palaces even on other continents.

Carpet weaving originated in Armenia in the II – I millennium BC, and even then drawings and colors were used, which are common in our time. As in the distant past, many craftsmen still work only with natural wool, cotton, silk and natural dyes. Carpet weaving is developed in every region of Armenia, and the ornaments are different everywhere. They usually depict flowers, fruits, trees, birds, horses, a cross and other traditional symbols. You can choose a carpet with abstract geometric patterns.

To buy a carpet, it is best to go to a specialized antique or new products store. You can go directly to the factory — factory products are slightly cheaper than handmade ones. If you are not ready for big expenses, it is better to go to the market. There are a lot of small carpets of any shape, they will easily fit in the luggage. The most affordable products are made of artificial or blended yarns, but they can also decorate a house or make a good gift. If you are buying a large and heavy carpet, use the delivery service to Russia.

Ceramics and souvenirs made of wood

A good idea to bring back from Armenia is colorful ceramics with traditional patterns. You can buy a beautiful jug for wine or water, a stew pot made of red clay, a large painted dish for serving, a tea set or a pomegranate symbol of Armenia. You can also attend a ceramics workshop and make something pretty with your own hands.

Wooden tableware is also a great purchase. A cutting board, a tray, or a hot plate are always useful. You can choose delicate decorative plates for the interior. Woodworkers make beautiful chess, backgammon, beads, bracelets, toys and other souvenirs.

Musical instruments

What kind of souvenir should I bring from Armenia so that it preserves the spirit of the country and its people? Few things are better suited for these purposes than a traditional musical instrument, especially a duduk. It is a long wooden tube with holes, similar to a flute. This instrument is one of the oldest in the world that is still in use. It is widespread in many countries of the Caucasus region, but it first appeared, presumably, on the territory of Armenia. This may have happened during the reign of Tigranes II the Great in the 1st century BC. In written sources, the instrument has been mentioned since the 5th century AD under the name “tsiranapoh”. Translated, it means “apricot tree pipe”.

The Armenian duduk is actually made from apricot wood, whereas in other countries plums, nuts and other wood are used. Therefore, the sound is different. To hear duduk in Armenia, you can go to a folk music concert if it takes place during your vacation. You can also go to a good traditional restaurant with live music. The sound of the duduk is described as soft and velvety, lyrical and sad. Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian said that only this instrument can make him cry.

Other souvenirs from Armenia

There are many more souvenirs that can be brought from Armenia, whether practical or unusual, expensive or affordable. Let’s list them briefly:

• Home textiles. The tablecloths with traditional Armenian patterns are bright and elegant. Once you get them, they fill the house with a festive atmosphere. You can purchase embroidered napkins or towels, including handmade ones.
• Leather goods. Armenian-made leather items are made from rough textured leather, which is more attractive to men. Although these accessories are not very elegant, they are durable and last for years. A belt, purse, or stylish leather bracelet will be a good gift for a friend or relative.
• A doll in a national costume. National clothes are a popular type of souvenirs, but such items are expensive and not very common. A simpler option is a cute doll in a national costume. It can be given to a child or used as an interior decor.
• A wine horn. Another interesting thing, which is now almost not used for its intended purpose, but reminds of past times. The horn is considered one of the oldest wine vessels. It is not necessary to drink from it, you can hang the decorated product on the wall or take it out sometimes to show the guests.
• Painting. Many masters of Armenian origin have become part of the world’s artistic culture, the most famous of them is Ivan Aivazovsky, who was born Hovhannes. You can see wonderful paintings by modern Armenian artists in the markets and shops. There are a lot of them, so you probably want to purchase some kind of landscape or an image of a landmark.

Other popular souvenirs from Armenia include images of Mount Ararat or miniature copies of carved khachkars — stone steles depicting a cross and floral motifs. Khachkars are not found anywhere else except in Armenia, and since 2010 they have been included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The best places to buy souvenirs are shops in the central part of Yerevan and the Vernissage flea market. You can also buy something interesting at private apiaries, cheese factories, and pottery workshops, where you can go on a guided tour. An experienced guide can show you the best places, and he can also tell you the price order. See the offers of the guides on our website — there are interesting tours for any season. Choose the right one and book it online, and if you have any questions, ask them in the online chat!

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