Piti
Azerbaijan's clay-pot lamb soup, eaten in two acts
Think of it as: Like a lamb stew that comes with its own etiquette guide
A soup with a two-step eating ritual.
What does it taste like?
Deep, rich lamb flavor with saffron and plenty of fatty richness.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureTender and rich
What is it?
Lamb, chickpeas, sheep's tail fat and saffron slow-cooked in individual clay pots. It's the signature dish of the old town of Sheki. You eat the broth over bread first, then the meat and chickpeas.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Pour the broth over torn bread and eat it first, then mash and eat the meat and chickpeas. A must in Sheki's restaurants.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇦🇿Azerbaijan
CapitalBaku
Populationabout 10.4 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesOil, Natural gas, Agriculture
Famous peopleUzeyir HajibeyovComposer of the national anthem
HelloSalaam
CurrencyManat
Fun factAt Yanar Dag ("Burning Mountain"), natural gas seeping from the ground has been burning nonstop.
The flag🇦🇿 Blue, red and green stripes with a white crescent and eight-pointed star.
From Tokyoabout 7,520 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Baku
Getting there14+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeApril–June and September–October, when it's mild. Also try🍚 PlovDushbara (tiny dumplings in broth)Dolma More from here🥟 Dushbara
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeApril–June and September–October, when it's mild. Also try🍚 PlovDushbara (tiny dumplings in broth)Dolma More from here🥟 Dushbara
🇦🇿 Sounds & life in Azerbaijan
SalamHello（Salaam）
Latin
Latin
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Anthem"Azərbaycan marşı" (March of Azerbaijan)
MusicMugham Improvised classical singing
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer (wrestling is popular too) World HeritageWalled City of Baku and more National animalKarabakh horse FestivalNovruz (March, spring new year)
MusicMugham Improvised classical singing
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer (wrestling is popular too) World HeritageWalled City of Baku and more National animalKarabakh horse FestivalNovruz (March, spring new year)
Ingredients
- 300 g lamb
- 50 g sheep's tail fat or lamb fat
- 50 g dried chickpeas
- 1 onion
- 4 chestnuts
- 2 dried apricots
- A pinch of saffron
- Salt
Can't find it? No tail fat? Use fatty lamb trimmings.
How to make it (one way)
- Soak the chickpeas overnight
- Put the lamb, fat and chickpeas in a clay pot and cover with water
- Simmer gently for 4–5 hours
- Add onion, chestnuts, apricots and saffron along the way
- Eat the broth over bread first, then the rest