Persian Breads that You Can Try | Lavash, Sangak, and more

Persian bread (Naan) accompanies almost every Iranian meal whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Just like the Persian culture and history, there is an amazing variety when it comes to Iranian bread. Bread has also been a symbol of Iranian culture and identity, as different regions of Iran have developed their own varieties and traditions of bread-making. However, there are some types of bread that you can find everywhere. For example, Barbari, Sangak, and Lavash are some of the most famous Persian breads you can find almost in every city. In this article, we will be talking about different Persian breads you can try.

Significance of Persian Bread in Iran’s History

The very first indication of bread as an important part of Persian cuisine dates back to the 3rd century. Bread, or naan or noon (slang) in Persian, has been mentioned in the Sassanid inscriptions as a sacred and nourishing food for humans. Bread is not only a staple food in Iran, but also a part of its history and culture. it reflects the diversity and richness of Iranian cuisine and society, as well as its connection to other civilizations along the Silk Road. Overall, in Persian history, bread is considered a sacred gift from God and a sign of hospitality and generosity. There are many types of bread in Iran, each with its own shape, size, texture, flavor, and baking method. Below, we will be exploring some of the most common and popular Iranian breads.

Different Persian Bread Types

We can categorize Iranian breads in several ways. Here is how different Iranian breads can be categorized:

• Type of flour: wheat-based bread, barley-based bread, rice-based bread, and more
• Size and volume: flatbread, raised, and semi-raised
• Method of cooking: oven-baked, hot-stone-bake, machine, and more
• Flavors and toppings: sesame and different dried vegetables
• Texture: doughy, soft, crispy, brittle, dried

Now, we can get to the main point and different types of Iranian breads from around Iran. As we mentioned before you can find bread types like Sangak, Barbari, Taftoon, and Lavash in every city. The more local types of bread such as Shirmal Bread are only consumed in specific cities in Iran. However, different regions might make the same bread differently and add their own touch to the bread.

Sangak (the bread with little stones)

Sangak is a type of Iranian flatbread that is made from whole wheat flour and sourdough. The name sangak means “little stone” in Persian because the bread is traditionally baked on a bed of hot pebbles in an oven. This gives the bread a crisp crust and a soft interior, as well as a distinctive shape and texture. Sangak bread has a long history in Iran, dating back to the 11th century, when it was the staple food of the Persian army. The soldiers would carry pebbles with them and use them to make an oven at the campsite, where they would bake the bread and eat it with lamb kebab. Sangak flatbread is still very popular in Iran today, and it is often served with cheese, walnuts, vegetables, and various dishes and stews. There are two main varieties of sangak bread: one that is plain and one that is topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Here are some of the Persian dishes that Iranians normally serve with Noon Sangak:

• Kebab
• Jojeh Kebab
• Kaleh Pache
• Mirza Ghasemi
• Halim
• Kashk-e Bademjan
• Dizi

Sangag bread

Barbari (almost everyone’s favorite for breakfast)

Barbari bread is a type of yeast-leavened flatbread that originated from the Hazara people in northeastern Iran. It is one of the most popular breads in Iran, where it is often served for breakfast with cheese and jam, or as an accompaniment to savory dishes. Barbari bread has a distinctive golden-brown crust that is glazed with a mixture of baking soda, flour and water before baking. The bread is also sprinkled with sesame or nigella seeds, which add flavor and aroma. Barbari bread is typically baked in long oval shapes and then cut into smaller pieces for serving or toasting.

Barbari bread

Taftoon (a perfect bread for wraps)

A round or oval-shaped flatbread that is similar to lavash bread but slightly thicker and softer. It is made with whole wheat flour and water. The bread is baked in a clay oven called a tandoor, where the dough is slapped onto the hot walls and cooked for a short time. Taftoon is popular in Khorasan province in Iran, where it is sometimes baked in underground ovens. This bread is also popular in some South Asian cuisines. Taftoon has a chewy and stringy texture, and can be topped with seeds such as poppy or sesame. This Persian bread is often eaten for breakfast or as a wrap for various dishes, such as Persian kookoo, Kotlet, and Kebabs. Here are some other popular dishes served with Taftoon bread:

• Tah Dig (crispy bread or rice for bottom of the rice pot)
• Salad Olvieh
• Ab-Dough Khiar

Taftoon bread

Lavash (a shared bread between many cultures)

Lavash is a type of thin flatbread that originated in Armenia but it is also a very popular bread in Iran. This bread is usually leavened with an old dough starter and baked in a clay oven called a tonir or on a metal griddle called a saj. Lavash can be eaten fresh or dried for later use. Noon Lavash is served with almost the same dishes that Taftoon bread is served with. In 2014, UNESCO recognized lawash as an intangible cultural heritage of Armenia, where it is considered a staple food and a part of many rituals and celebrations. In 2016, UNESCO also acknowledged flatbread making and sharing culture of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey, where lavash is known by different names and variations.

Lavash bread

Where can you try Persian Bread?

Fortunately, once you’re in Iran it is not at all hard to find Persian bread. In every region and neighborhood, there is one or sometimes even more than one bakery. Breadmaking is also one of the famous occupations among Iranian women in villages around Iran. Every morning, they make fresh bread. Some bakeries make bread the traditional way which is by hand. Other bakeries use machines for some parts of the process. It is worth noting that different bakeries might bake different types of bread. For example, one bakery in the neighborhood makes only Barbari bread and another makes Lawash. You can also probably find Persian bread at Halal Markets or Asian markets outside of Iran.

Can you make Persian Bread yourself?

As we mentioned before, there are bakeries everywhere in Iran. Even some supermarkets have ready-made bread for sale. That is why not many people choose to make bread at home. Besides, you need special ovens and equipment for making different types of bread. But you can be creative and somehow make your own Persian bread. Make sure you check out our blog post about Persian bread recipes.