Zereshk - Dried Iranian Barberries

I first saw these beauties at an Iranian buffet. The lovely ruby red hues added vibrancy to the rice dish I later learnt to be ‘Zereshk Polow’, an Iranian staple for a gourmet meal.

Zereshk are essentially dried barberries, and is used extensively in Iranian cooking. I was delighted to find them at my local Iranian grocer’s. I’ve always been a fan for tangy treats, and these berries are pretty high on the tartness scale. They are usually used in cooking, and even found in traditional medicine, but I like to munch on them as is. 

What’s even better news is all the health benefits these wee gems promise...

Zereshk is very rich in vitamin C. It is therefore no wonder that these berries have been prescribed for flus, nasal congestion, reducing fevers and overall respiratory health. They are also believed to be helpful for reducing the symptoms of bronchitis.

Lab studies have confirmed that zereshk has anti-bacterial properties and a regular intake vastly improves overall immunity. Herbalists even use zereshk as an anti-parasitic antidote.

Zereshk is also a natural laxative, and helps keeps the bowels working. The berries also promote even bile flow which helps ease the effects of gallbladder and jaundice to a significant amount.

These lovely berries can keep you glowing pretty for years to come and is a skin-loving super-food. They even get used for treating severe skin problems like psoriasis.

Reaching out for my jar of pretty zereshk berries right now… (incase you are wondering what the wee white bits in my mix are, these are dried Iranian mulberries. Let’s save that for another blogpost!).

- Big Sis.