The Silk Road used to run through what now is Iran. Pistachios and Pomegranates were indigenous items to thus region and it was exported heavily. In turn, the traders would bring in rice from China and India, tomatoes from Ottoman Empire, yogurt from the Central Asia, saffron from Crete, feta from Greece, lamb from the Arab people, and turmeric from India.

1. Difference between
Mediterranean Cuisine and
Persian Cuisine

2. • If you don’t really know much about Persian food, then you should start by knowing
that it isn’t exactly Mediterranean food – hummus, tabbouleh, olive oil, pasta, wine,
and falafel aren’t really a part of the Persian cuisine.
• The Persian food owes much of its well-known diversity to the ancient Silk Road.
• The Silk Road used to run through what now is Iran.
• Pistachios and Pomegranates were indigenous items to thus region and it was
exported heavily.
• In turn, the traders would bring in rice from China and India, tomatoes from Ottoman
Empire, yogurt from the Central Asia, saffron from Crete, feta from Greece, lamb
from the Arab people, and turmeric from India.

3. • The Persian cuisine could be described as an amalgamation of the Middle Eastern
and Far East accents, along with some Eastern-Mediterranean inspirations.
• But you should definitely visit the best Mediterranean restaurant Las Vegas to
actually know the difference between the two types of food.

4. • Similar to the concept of the Chinese people of Yin and Yang, the Zoroastrians too
developed their own philosophy of balancing cold and hot elements.
• The foods are classified as cold or hot based on not the temperature, but they are
classified on how it raises or lowers the body’s metabolism.
• For instance, walnuts are hot and eggplants are cold.
• It is one of the main reasons why yoghurt is used so extensively in the Persian
cuisine – the cold properties of yoghurt help in balancing the body and it also aides
with digestion.
• If you happen to visit the best Indian restaurant Las Vegas, you would notice that
yogurt is used extensively in the Indian cuisine as well for the same reason.

5. • Sour foods – such as vinegars, sour cherries, and pickled vegetables (or torshi) –
are a pretty big deal in Persian cuisine.
• Iranians prefer pairing sour food items with savory ones, particularly when
consuming meat: the acid in the fruit tends to cut into the animal’s fat, thus making
the food easier to digest.

6. • When it comes to Mediterranean food, it is quite similar to Persian food, where
much focus is put on simple cooking and including foods that are readily available,
simply in different proportions.
• Mediterranean diet is mostly plant-based, with major emphasis on vegetables and
lots of fruits, grains, olive oil, beans, seeds, and nuts.
• Dairy, fish, poultry, and eggs are regularly consumed as an integral part of the
Mediterranean food Las Vegas; however, portions are quite smaller as compared
to how it is consumed as a part of a Western diet.
• When it comes to meat, it only makes occasional appearance and is often added in
only smaller portions to make beans, pasta, and sauces more flavorful.

7. • Refined sugar, butter and flour and other fats apart from olive oil are rarely
consumed.
• An integral part of the Mediterranean diet is having meal as if it is social event.
• Food is celebrated and consumed at leisure with the friends and family members.
• Food is enjoyed while hanging around friends and family.

8. Thank You
Visit us @
www.shirazrestaurant.com