Aug 10, 2007

Zoolbia & Bamieh

I'm down to try new things! Especially food!
As I consider myself pretty adventurous making that statement,
One challenge shortly pops up in my face.
My friend bought this box of Zoolbia & Bamieh from the Whole Foods Market in Irvine-


At first I wasn't even sure that "zoolbia" and "bamieh" are the names for these mysterious objects.
Totally unfamiliar with Iranian snack.

Let me smell it first.
Mmmm.....I was getting worried about putting it in my mouth...
Let me read the label then.
Wheat flour, corn oil, egg, rose water, and some chemicals that I can hardly pronounce.
Should be ok, all the ingredients looked safe to me.

So I gracefully asked my friend to have one bite first, and saved the other smaller half for me to try.
--Chewing it--
Mmmmm.....
I....I hate to say this...but I am really not a fan of this Iranian delicacy...

(As I was searching for other food to eat in order to wash away the taste, my friend was enjoying the zoolbia as if he's in heaven..)

14 comments:

  1. You really didn't like it? May I ask what it was that you didn't like about it?

    :)

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  2. psshhh... nobody actually doesn't like zoolbia bamieh. you probably don't like the sweetness but you get used to it.

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  3. If you have to smell it, read the ingredients, and have your friend eat half first then you are not adventurous. This is pretty basic food compared to a lot of the crazy ethnic stuff out there.

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  4. I think it must be the rose water. It took me a lo-o-o-ng time to acquire the taste for most Persian desserts because the rose water made me think that I was eating bath soap! But after many times of trying, (and I mean over periods of years :P) I've finally been able to wrap my head around the perfume smell of the rose water and actually enjoy it. As far as the excessive sweetness, thats where Persian tea comes in.

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  5. To First Anonymous~
    I don't know, that was the first time I've ever had it,
    (and still my only time).
    Somehow..it tastes...oily..
    I should give it another try from other places though!

    To Second Anonymous~
    Yes, I shall train my palate for all kinds of food!

    To Third Anonymous~
    I know I know,
    But sometimes I do get scared,
    At least I still gave it a try instead of just saying "ewwwww I'll never eat it!"

    To Forth Anonymous~
    Maybe huh?
    If you know any place that sells good zoolbia in southern California, let me know!
    I'll go have my second adventure again!

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  6. You tasted the oil because it is deep fried :-p
    I'm Iranian and it is one of my favorite desserts!

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  7. my suggestion would be to get it from a more ethnically legit source than whole foods.

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  8. I know, I should try it one more time at a better place, any suggestions?

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  9. i'm in central california and just tried zoolbia and bamieh for the first time after getting it yesterday from a Mediterranean restaurant. the bakery that it was from was called Avo's Bakery, which is in Van Nuys, 16927 Vanowen street #7 & 8. it is very honey filled, so it is a bit sweet, but i think it's great.

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  10. Thank you so much!
    I'll go give it a try when I'm around the area!

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  11. OH MY!!! THIS DESSERT IS A-MAZINGGGGGGGG!!! I LOVED IT THE VERY FIRST TIME MY IRANINA FRIEND LET ME TRY SOME IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! I ACTUALLY JUST HAD SOME YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A AWHILE. I ALWAYS WANT TO BUY IT BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO GO.

    I ABSOLUTELY LOVEE THIS DESSERT! I DIDNT EVEN KNOW WHAT IT WAS MADE OF. TO ME IT FEELS LIKE HONEY MELTING IN YOUR MOUTH. YUMM =) AND THING IS I DONT EVEN HAVE A SWEET TOOTH! THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW IT'S GREAT LOL

    NOW THAT I KNOW THE INGREDIENTS, I'LL RESEARCH MORE ON 'ROSEWATER'. IM NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT.

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  12. Zoolbia is fried, so that's probably why it tastes oily. I would suggest finding a recipe (perhaps from a Persian cookbook or website) and making it yourself, that way you'll be able to control the taste.

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