RESTAURANTS
NATIONAL CUISINE
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Ghapama
Ghapama is a traditional Armenian dish made with stuffed pumpkin, which symbolizes abundance and goodness.
According to national tradition, ghapama was served on the wedding table as a sign of prosperity. To prepare the dish, the top of the pumpkin is cut off like a lid, and the core, along with the seeds, is removed. The walls of the pumpkin are coated with butter from the inside, then stuffed with rice, dried fruits, fresh fruits, legumes, and seasoned with honey, sugar, and cinnamon. The stuffed pumpkin is covered with a lid and placed in the oven until it is completely soft and golden.
NATIONAL DRINKS
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Discover the Unique World of Armenian Beer
Armenia is best known for its brandy and wine culture, however, in recent years, the country has also been rapidly developing a craft beer culture, which is becoming a new interesting direction for both locals and tourists.
Beer production in Armenia has an ancient history. As early as the 5th century BC, the Greek philosopher Xenophon, in his work “Anabasis”, describes how he saw barley drink stored in clay vessels in one of the villages of Ancient Armenia. He says: “Wheat, barley and barley drink were stored in clay vessels. Barley grains floated in the drink, and reeds were stuck in the upper part of the vessel, through which people drank the drink. The beer, not mixed with water, was very strong, but it was pleasant and loved by the locals.” This evidence proves that beer has been known in Armenian culture for thousands of years.
