The Persian Treat
Nuts, which have been on the human food list ever since the beginning of history, have also been overwhelmed by people as they feature a good base for sweetening & changing taste. Nuts were often consumed in a mixed form but over time, people learned to add sweet sap to dried fruits and nuts and this was the beginning of making Noghl in Urmia which dates back hundreds of years.
Sugar Coated Almonds, Iran Noghl
Do you have a sweet tooth? Well, you’re in luck! Because this fantastic tasty Persian candy will quench your thirst for sweet treats. Noghl is a type of sugary pastry that is very popularly purchased & consumed in Iran and also some neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq & Syria. This delicious treat is a souvenir of some Iranian cities; especially the city of Urmia.
Special Iranian ceremonies
This favorable candy is also a unique treat widely served in special Iranian ceremonies, for instance in wedding parties and it’s also an important part of an ancient Iranian tradition in which they shower the bride & the groom with Noghl or simply place it in the midst of the Sofreh-ye Aghd (marriage tablecloth) as a sweet that brings happiness, joy, and luck into the couple’ lives. Sofreh-ye Aghd (marriage tablecloth) is a tablecloth that the bride & groom sit around together before the wedding and after the main ritual in which they are announced bonded for life.
Many Iranians prefer to eat it with their tea or coffee and it’s considered to be a desirable replacement for common sugar cubes.
Noghl Compounds
Noghl is one of the most popular souvenirs that travelers from Urmia purchase for their friends, relatives & loved ones.
The best way of preparing this tasty treat is by means of a traditional method. In this method, the cook first heats the sugar, water, rosewater & any other essential ingredients to a boiling point in order to create a homogenous liquid in which the roasted almonds (or other types of nuts e.g. walnuts or Chickpeas are rapidly submerged. When allowed to cool, the sugary coating solidifies and creates a sweet and crunchy white layer around the center nut. Finally, they would add the essence & topping ingredients that give the candy its rather unique & delicious taste.
Flavors
The most common flavors that the Noghl form Urmia features are: Bidmeshk (which is one of the native herbs found in Urmia), Cinnamon, Vanilla, Saffron & numerous fruit flavors. You can also find a number of tastes to fit your heart’s desire including Noghl-e Bidmeshk, Noghl-e Saffron and Noghl-e Damask rose – rose petal (which has a magnificent aroma perfume; Iranians also use yogurt, dough, and many other foods as a perfume & flavoring essence to optimize their desserts). This candy is commonly produced in a variety of sizes & qualities.
Noghl Benefits
Noghl-e Bidmeshk (Willow Candy)
Making use of the bark of the willow plant goes back to the Hippocrates era; 400 BC. – when people were recommended to chew on the bark in order to reduce fever & inflammation. The bark has been used throughout centuries in China and also in Europe. and is still widely used for the treatment of pain (particularly in the lower back & osteoarthritis), headaches, & inflammatory conditions, such as bursitis & tendinitis.
The bark of white willow contains Salicin, which is a chemical substance rather similar to aspirin (also known as acetylsalicylic acid). Coupled with the herb's powerful anti-inflammatory herbal compounds (which are called flavonoids), Salicin is believed to be responsible for the herb’s pain-relieving & anti-inflammatory effect. In fact, in the 1800s, Salicin was initially utilized to develop the drug aspirin. White willow appears to bring pain relief more slowly than aspirin, but its positive effects tend to last longer.
So by frequently consuming this type of Noghl, you will be able to take benefit of the extract’s wondrous medical benefits as well as enjoying the taste of this delicious treat.
Noghl-e Zaferan (walnut candy Saffron flavored)
You may already be familiar with the magical benefits of Saffron. Apart from its magnificent taste & aroma, Saffron contains high amounts of antioxidants and other cancer-fighting compounds that boost your immune system and bring about a sense of joy & happiness – rather similar to the effects of endorphins.
Noghl-e Golab (Walnut candy Rose petal flavored)
Rose Water is a very popular drink in traditional medicine. Its consumption is recommended for most people & does not have any side effects. The nature of the rose is warm and it ones the stomach, heart, liver, and nerves, and is a powerful sedative. That is why the elderly find it necessary to consume rose water during difficult & stressful days. This fragrant liquid partly stimulates blood flow & it also stimulates the skin tissue to produce new cells. You can take full advantage of these benefits by eating a handful of Rose Water candy.
