Jozghand, a delightful treat enhancing visitors’ experiences in Naraq
Naraq, a quaint city nestled in the southeast of Markazi Province, is set against the backdrop of towering mountains. Rich in historical significance, its array of well-preserved structures has elevated Naraq to a unique status. The city boasts water reservoirs, mosques, bazaars, caravanserais, and historical houses, which, alongside the notable Meteorite Museum, lure tourists to its enchanting charms.
The city’s flourishing tourism owes much to its favorable climate and lush orchards. With a history spanning over two millennia, Naraq is a treasure trove of ancient dwellings, reservoirs, mosques, shrines, and other historical relics, set amidst breathtaking natural wonders like waterfalls, caves, springs, and scenic mountains. Naraq offers diverse attractions catering to all preferences.
Beyond its natural and historical allure, Naraq is renowned for its traditional sweet delicacy, jozghand, a treat that has become integral to the local culture. This beloved confection adds a delightful flavor to visitors’ experiences, reflecting the enduring agricultural traditions of the city.
Jozghand is prepared from two main components: a type of fruit and ingredients that are placed inside it. To make jozghand, fruits such as peaches, apricots, plums, figs, and pears are used, but the main fruit utilized in its preparation is a type of local peach called halg.
The halg is peeled and left in the sun for two to four days to dry, which makes it easier to remove the core due to increased flexibility. Depending on the producer’s preference or the consumer’s taste, fragrant ingredients like cardamom or cinnamon are also added to the mixture. Some individuals, in addition to the aforementioned ingredients, use chickpea flour to fill the inside of jozghand.
Director General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization of Markazi Province, Mahmoud Moradi Naraqi, stated in an interview with ISNA that the highest quality jozghand in the region is produced in Naraq.
He elaborated: “The abundance of apricot, walnut, almond, and local peach orchards in the region serves as the primary raw materials for jozghand production, contributing significantly to its success in Naraq. Essentially, jozghand entails processing these raw materials to make use of orchard products throughout the year.”
Moradi Naraqi further mentioned, “historical records trace back the production of jozghand in the region to over 400 years ago, with Naraqi women actively engaged in its production since then. Jozghand received national recognition in 2015, culminating in the annual Jozghand Festival held in Naraq during early autumn.”
Regarding the presence of over 100 home workshops producing jozghand, Naraqi remarked, “If each Naraqi woman produces an average of 300 kilograms of jozghand annually, they can potentially earn an income equivalent to that of a factory worker.”
He mentioned that this product undergoes a processing method without involving any cooking in its production. The annual production of jozghand in Naraq ranges between one to two tons. Additionally, this delicacy is crafted in villages surrounding Delijan, Jasb, Natanz, and Gharmsar. One of the driving forces behind the development in Naraq is the organization of events such as the Jozghand Festival. The yearly showcase, the liveliness of workshops, and the acknowledgment of its creators draw numerous tourists to the area. The Jozghand Festival stands out as one of the most distinctive food tourism festivals in Markazi Province.Most expensive or
most valuable
Regarding its value, is it more about being the most expensive or the most valuable? Due to its elaborate production process, scarcity of raw materials, and demand, jozghand commands a high price and is reputed to be one of the priciest traditional sweets in the nation. The key distinguishing factor that sets jozghand apart from other confections or local mementos is its untouched preparation stages, ensuring the retention of its essential vitamins and nutrients. Hence, this distinct characteristic of jozghand designates it as the most valuable traditional sweet, and it is not unreasonable to regard this organic, nutrient-rich delicacy as the most expensive traditional sweet.
He said jozghand is a wholesome, nutritious, and nearly organic treat. Research indicates that the bitter apricot kernel utilized in this product (post-sweetening) contains Vitamin B12, known for its anti-cancer properties. The premium price tag of this sweet signifies its worth and the quality of raw materials employed in the making of jozghand.
Despite the unique tourist attractions and historical landmarks in Markazi Province that are valuable assets for the tourism industry’s development, a variety of food products are manufactured across different areas of the province. Focusing on these products and backing their producers can enhance small-scale home businesses and support economic growth in households, especially within rural communities.
A noteworthy aspect of these products is the accessibility of all essential raw materials in the region, simplifying the production process. Government assistance in promoting these goods and arranging festivals or exhibitions featuring homemade products can provide motivation, guaranteeing the sustained production of these food items.