Food

The Armenian cuisine has preserved its centuries old traditions and is very diverse and is regarded as one of the oldest in the world. One of the characteristics of Armenian food is that it is poignant and spicy. Greens, fish, meat and milk, bread, salt, spring water and the art of cooks pass to the Armenian cuisine a refined and exceptional taste. Cheese, greens and lavash are the irreplaceable companions of all meals. There is not Armenian cuisine without traditional Armenian bread, lavash. This thin bread is baked according to old technologies in a tonir, which is built in the same way as in ancient times. Tonir is a circular clay fireplace. In its lover part<br>from the side there is an ash-pit.
As a first dish dairy soups or different clear soups of beef and mutton is prepared in Armenia. One of the most popular Armenian dishes is dolma: minced meat with rice wrapped in vine leaves. Dishes such as kololak and cufta made from chopped meat, harisa a porridge made of chicken meat and wheat are also popular. The menus of all nations in Caucasus confer a special place to barbeque, made by chosen pieces of pork or mutton and prepared on ambers. Rivers and lakes in Armenia are rich of fish but the trout from Lake Sevan, which is delicious and very pricey, is an honor for any table. The priority amongst the diary products is given to matsun, to Armenian yogurt.

Sweets
Local sweets and confectionary are superior, they include candid and dried apricots, home made halvah, peaches staffed with various nuts, sweet sudjukh, vast variety of cookies with nuts and fruit comfitures, pastry and various jams.

Alcohol and juices
The national drinks are Armenian brandy and wine. Today around 40 types of table, fortified and aromatized wines are produced in Armenia. The history of cognac production in Armenia is more then hundred years long. Cognac is the most popular Armenian alcoholic drink and Armenians are particularly proud of it. When Churchill was asked at an old age what the secret of his long life was, he answered without giving too much thought: "Never be late for lunch, smoke Hawaiian cigars and drink Armenian brandy." This blessed drink has won dozens of golden and silver medals. Ordinary, vintage and collection cognacs are produced in Yerevan brandy factory. According to people the mulberry vodka, has a wonderful taste in addition to its healing effects. Mulberry vodka is popular in Armenia. The excellent mineral waters "Jermuk", "Arzni" and "Dilijan Frolova" and fruit juices are also very popular.