What to bring from Azerbaijan as a gift – 20 best souvenirs
A state with a rich history and ancient cultural traditions can be safely compared to a wonderful carved chest full of the most incredible treasures. What to bring from Azerbaijan, since its mountains, waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, live edelweiss, luxury items from boutiques cannot be transported through customs? Only souvenirs that will remind you of true Caucasian hospitality.
Another important point: do not save on paying for the delivery of goods from Azerbaijan to other states. These expenses will definitely pay off, because only in the Caucasus are exclusive carpets woven in single copies according to original ancient technologies and interior items are decorated with natural turquoise.
Silk
Sericulture in the state is recognized as one of the most important agricultural industries. The material that is made here, connoisseurs will never confuse with Japanese or Chinese counterparts. Azerbaijani silk has amazing tenderness. Each cut, roll of material in itself is a real work of art of local craftsmen.
The industry has repeatedly experienced ups and downs, but the state managed to keep the main enterprises, and today they use all kinds of support measures. The material is perfect for tailoring exclusive clothes, making shawls, scarves, wallets, bags, and other original accessories. Products from it are sold everywhere: in large shopping centers and in noisy markets.
The material is incredibly light, pleasant to the touch. Azerbaijani silk does not accumulate static electricity, things from it can be worn even by allergy sufferers. Natural material has a pronounced healing effect. In folk medicine, cosmetology, it is used to improve the condition, rejuvenate the skin.
An important tip for shopaholics: real Azerbaijani silk hardly wrinkles. If you squeezed the fabric in your hands and creases appeared on it, you should know that this is a fake of the famous Caucasian material.
Charyki
This beautiful word is used to denote incredibly elegant shoes. She will not leave indifferent fashionistas and fashionistas of all ages. Charyks in the state are made from natural materials. It was these shoes that were once worn by oriental princesses, rich nobles, and rulers. Charyks look luxurious, and even today connoisseurs can determine the social status, the level of material prosperity of its owner by the patterns, quality, materials of footwear.
Charyks sit very comfortably on their feet. They just relax in such shoes. The risk of being a “happy” owner of corns because of a new thing is simply absent. The fashion for ethnic oriental elements in clothing is gaining momentum again, because shopaholics massively buy interesting shoes and then sort things out with customs.
Why? It is better not to purchase more than 5 pieces of the same type of goods per person. If the number of items is more than 5 pairs, the purchase at the border will be taken as a commercial shipment and will be required to pay a fee for it.
Kyalagai
Beautiful scarves are always popular with young people and the older generation. Women's hats are made from high quality silk. There are legends that even Alexander the Great knew about Azerbaijani woven accessories. Today it is difficult to determine whose craftsmen were the first to weave a portrait of the famous commander on a silk scarf.
This, most likely, was a political gesture, because the beautiful and far-sighted queen Nushaba ordered to create such a thing. Kelagai today means a lot. By the color of the scarf, you can determine the age of a woman, the reason for which she put on a beautiful headdress.
The patterns on real Azerbaijani shawls are either floral or geometric. To apply drawings of leaves, flowers, branches, berries, the craftsmen use ancient printed technologies, thanks to which roses, fruits, trees, carnations, poppies look voluminous, authentic, recognizable.
Armudu
Very interesting cups for tea, whose mere appearance wins the hearts of gourmets, originals and … admirers of female beauty. In the Caucasus, it is not customary for the fair sex to demonstrate the open parts of their bodies. And against the background of strict centuries-old conservative traditions, armudu vessels look intriguing, promising, piquant, playful. Each armudu resembles a female figure in its shape.
Tea cups are original, refined, charming. Masters create Armudu only from high-quality porcelain, earthenware, silver, glass, and crystal. Hot and cold tea in such dishes literally acquires an amazing, original taste. Advice from experienced travelers: if you plan to pass for a cultured, educated person in Azerbaijan, never fill miracle cups to the very top. This is not appropriate!
The liquid must not exceed the level of the upper rim. If this is not on a crystal or glass glass, the distance from the surface of the poured drink to the edge of the dish should be at least 1-2 centimeters.
Jewelry
After visiting numerous branded salons and workshops, you simply can no longer wear faceless jewelry stamping. In Azerbaijan, local residents seriously equate the skill of jewelers with the heritage of the Republic. The number of popular jewelry brands here breaks all imaginable and unimaginable records. Masters are constantly competing among themselves for the title of the very best. This state of affairs brings buyers the opportunity to purchase real masterpieces at reasonable prices.
What, for example, is interesting for the Butali Azerbaijan Jewelry brand? His jewelry is not easily created using ancient technologies. This was the luxury worn by the ancient kings and queens. The craftsmen decorate the products using the most complicated filigree technique. A hint to those who are puzzled by the search for amulets: this manufacturer has excellent collections of products with turquoise.
The Art of Kubachi trademark is more famous for its women's and men's jewelry, weapons, and dishes made of silver. The company is located in Dagestan, but its products are simply adored in Azerbaijan. Kubachi silver in the Caucasian Republic is often cheaper than in Russia. And the point here is not in politics, but in intermediaries, because of whom the prices for products in the Russian Federation are significantly higher.
2 more interesting brands: NarCrafts and Varvara Jewelry. The first one (Azerbaijani) attracts the attention of fashionistas with its non-standard design solutions. The legal address of Varvara Jewelry is located in Istanbul. Products of this brand are only author's. Varvara Jewelry creates massive jewelry with rare stones exclusively according to exclusive sketches.
Designer clothing
The state can be compared to a paradise for shopaholics who dream of not overpaying fabulous money for the opportunity to look stylish and fashionable. To be honest: in some cases, clothes from local couturiers are difficult to outwardly distinguish from what European celebrities offer. It's just that in the Republic, clothing designers rely on exclusive types of fabrics, leather, and natural stones.
Designer clothes from Azerbaijan will remind its owner or owner that luxury can be elite, unbanal and democratic at the same time. In numerous fashion boutiques here you can find products made of coarse high-strength twill fabric, decorated with the finest handmade lace, accessories made of crocodile and snake skin and, of course, a sea of things made from natural local silk.
Carpet
The handmade product does not belong to the category of cheap souvenirs, but the excellent quality of carpets literally conquers the hearts of zealous owners and housewives. It should be noted: such things have an interesting energy. They are able to fill even the most boring minimalist interior with comfort, life, originality.
Experienced travelers advise: if it is not possible to pay for transportation, delivery of large carpets, choose almost miniature copies of products. Where can you find them? The secret is simple: go to small souvenir shops or shops. Alternatively, it could be a local market. In retail outlets there is always an excellent selection of handmade exclusive and standard factory carpets.
Such accessories are created not only for the rituals of Muslim prayers. In the Republic, carpet coasters for tea sets are very popular and in demand. The cost of original things is relatively small and affordable even for a modest personal, family budget.
Ceramics
Clay products can be called another pride of local craftsmen. Ecologically clean things differ in forms, styles of manufacture, but a special Caucasian flavor is inherent in all things. Local ceramics is mainly represented by huge painted dishes, tea sets, deep, shallow plates, vases.
It is interesting in that it perfectly stores heat at any ambient temperature, serves its owners for a long time, and looks unusual. Tip from experienced travelers: when buying ceramics in the market, be sure to bargain, thereby reducing the price and showing respect to the seller.
If you plan to bring oil home as a souvenir, take it already packaged (in sealed glassware). Prefer not ceramics, but original glass souvenirs? Then feel free to choose paired sets of salt and pepper shakers for yourself, your family and friends. These products are made in the form of grandparents dressed up in ancient national clothes.
Backgammon
For local residents, they are many times more valuable than chess and checkers. The products of the craftsmen are made only from high-quality wood in compliance with all kinds of rituals, so that an exciting game brings happiness, good luck, and health to its owner. Connoisseurs at first sight distinguish Baku backgammon from analogues and assure that absolutely identical sets do not exist.
Azerbaijani backgammon is very pleasant to hold in hands. With all the simplicity of form, they have amazing energy. If you don't know the rules of this exciting game at all, the locals will be happy to tell you how to play it and recommend a shop or shop where you can buy cheap backgammon for gifts to family and friends.
Daggers
Original products will not leave men indifferent, but they can deliver a lot of all sorts of problems at customs. To avoid incidents, do not buy daggers in weapons stores. The latter are open almost everywhere in the Republic. Caucasian men were and are famous for their love for edged weapons, but customs regulations do not allow them to be transported across the borders. And the inlaid handles of daggers are so beckoning and bewitching.
What to do in this case? Feel free to go hiking in Baku souvenir shops and do not forget to bargain. Souvenir daggers can still be exported from the Republic, provided that the products are officially declared. Compliance with formalities with modern Internet technologies will not require much time. But you will become the owner of one stunningly beautiful product or a whole collection of popular souvenirs.
Jam
The treat is ubiquitous. At the same time, in each locality it is prepared according to its own original recipes, and real gourmets will always determine by the shades of taste where the delicacy loved by adults and children is cooked. The only disadvantage of homemade jam is that it still has a short shelf life, so it’s better to take a delicacy produced at local enterprises with you on the road.
In Azerbaijan, this dessert is prepared from apples, strawberries, cherries, pears. For those who have tried real Greek jam, the local delicacy tastes a bit like Mediterranean exotics. However, Caucasian jam turns out to be thicker, richer in color.
And most importantly: it is not served in Lilliputian vases with tiny spoons, as the Greeks do. After all, in this case, according to Mediterranean etiquette, you can only sip the delicacy … The most delicious jam in the Republic is made from mulberry, walnut, white cherry, quince, and you can eat it with large spoons.
Shekinah halva
Another gourmet dream. The delicacy is prepared according to ancient recipes, and it has nothing to do with sweets made from seeds, which are positioned in Russia as real halva. It takes a lot of time for confectioners and housewives to prepare Sheki yummy. A hearty natural product is prepared using a large amount of nuts, rice flour, honey or sugar syrup.
An interesting point: all halva recipes that can be found on the Internet are not entirely reliable. Making delicacies in the town of Sheki is a centuries-old family business, and no one plans to reveal its secrets. Pay attention to another point: real Sheki sweets are not packed in plastic or tin containers.
It, according to local residents, negatively affects the taste of products. The correct halva will be packed only in cardboard boxes. The combination of spices in its filling is also unique. And in general, it would be more correct to call a delicacy useful for the body baklava.
Tea
The drink is produced and drunk in huge quantities. It is noteworthy that the state authorities do not allow the import of Indian or Chinese, but only Azerbaijani tea into communist Mongolia. A natural product in the Caucasus is produced using manual assembly technologies and initial processing of raw materials. The drink is usually consumed hot and cold.
The latter option, according to local legends, completely migrated to the Caucasus under Columbus from the states of Latin America. Tea is sold everywhere. And it is everywhere of excellent quality, even in tiny shops, where the appearance of tourists can be safely equated with the invasion of aliens from another galaxy.
It is customary to add various medicinal plants to tea, because the drink turns out to be doubly useful. Locals consider the black leaf tea sold in the markets in bulk to be the most delicious. However, in order to avoid problems with customs, it is better for tourists to buy teas packed in original tin boxes decorated with bright patterns as souvenirs.
Cognac
The words “Golden Baku” will tell lovers of alcoholic drink a lot. Various brands of strong liquor are produced in the Republic. How to distinguish real Azerbaijani cognac from fakes? The answer is simple: it is best to buy alcohol on the territory of the Republic. In this case, there will be a 100% guarantee that you will buy the original.
All brands of local cognac have the same common feature: a deep, noble, rich color. It cannot be obtained even with the help of modern food synthetic dyes. The drink has an intense taste, where notes of vanilla sound distinctly. If you compare it with French cognac, you can say this: the latter is softer and weaker.
All brands of Azerbaijani cognac have a light oily taste, which only emphasizes the originality of the bouquet of an aristocratic drink. Among tourists, along with “Golden Baku”, “Absheron”, “Ganja”, “Moscow”, “Gek-Gel”, “Azerbaijan” are invariably popular. Such cognac is usually served without snacks or mixed with ice, tonic, combined with strong coffee or with fresh local berries and fruits.
Wine
The traditions of winemaking in the Republic are also very ancient. Its production is not forbidden even by strict Islamic customs. Growing in the highlands, small wine red and white grapes have an exquisite tart taste. Thanks to him, the drink is rich. It is appreciated in China and in France, Germany and Austria. The Republic supplies wine to China and the CIS countries.
In the history of local winemaking there have been periods of decline in wine production. The introduction of Italian technologies allowed Azerbaijani products to reach the European level. The cost of dry wines in the Republic is quite democratic. If you focus on technical grape varieties, it is better to choose alcoholic beverages made from Madaras, Tavkveri, Sapevari, Misgali, Mtsvani.
However, the most exotic souvenir is still pomegranate wine. It is made in many private wineries (also using Italian technologies), and each brand has its own original bouquet.
Shelter
It is not customary to cook a meat product in Azerbaijan from pork for religious reasons. However, local basturma only benefits from such a ban. It is prepared mainly from chicken or beef. In this case, the meat should be only fresh. Its storage before cooking in the refrigerator is simply unacceptable.
In Azerbaijani basturma, the set of spices is different than in other Caucasian regions. There is a lot of coriander in the dish. And yet the question remains: the right basturma should be made from chicken or beef. The second option is recognized as more traditional.
Another important nuance: in the right bouquet of spices for basturma, there must be blue fenugreek. As an option, it can be replaced with sunel hops. And in any case, coarse rock salt, bitter red pepper, dill, garlic are added to the dish.
Nuts and dried fruits
A very traditional Caucasian souvenir. Healthy delicacies are prepared by the locals for future use and then added to all kinds of sweets. Local nuts in their calorie content can compete with meat. In Azerbaijan, as well as in other regions of the Caucasus, crushed nut kernels are added to the dough, and halva is made from them.
As for dried fruits: it is better to take mixes of different berries and fruits as souvenirs. They are great for pies and pies. And Azerbaijani nuts and dried fruits are also loved by raw foodists. To prepare a popular raw-food Caucasian-Italian puff cake, it is enough to chop the first and second separately, mix with local honey to the consistency of clay and lay them on a dish in layers.
Black caviar
A natural product in its popularity among tourists is not inferior to patterned silk or pomegranate wine. The healing properties of black caviar have long been legendary. A pleasant nuance: its cost in Azerbaijan is much lower than in Russia, and in many cases the quality is higher. This is due to the fact that no preservatives are used in the processing of caviar in the Republic.
And now a fly in the ointment: a barrel of caviar, alas, will not be able to smuggle across the border. Yes, and with a smaller amount of delicacy at customs, there will be problems. To take it with you, you must follow 2 rules: buy caviar legally in an amount not exceeding 250 gr. and keep the receipt. Only in this case, the souvenir will be able to smuggle across the border without hindrance.
Spices
But all kinds of sets of spices are much easier to take out of the Republic. The same can be said about tea, original textiles, handmade souvenirs made of copper. The use of spices is an important part of Caucasian culinary traditions, therefore, all kinds of spices go on sale in perfect condition without mold or musty smell. The most interesting bouquets of spices in Azerbaijan are created for meat and fish dishes.
At the same time, there are certain rules for combining spices for each type of meat products. Baku can be safely called the Caucasian capital of spices, because the city has countless shops for its wholesale and retail sales. The most popular Baku spices among tourists are saffron and cardamom. At the same time, large sets of spices are in special demand among experienced travelers, which are enough for a large number of dishes.
Pickles
Pickled berries, vegetables, fruits are especially popular. Ecologically clean gifts of nature in Azerbaijan are also prepared according to old recipes and served in almost all cafes and restaurants. How, for example, do local pickled apples differ from those that are usually cooked in Russia? You guessed it: a huge amount of spices that reveal the taste of the fruit, make it interesting, original, fabulous.
Most often on the shelves of local stores you can find pickled cherries, apples, quince. But for some reason, grapes in the marinade are not in demand. And another interesting nuance: local etiquette does not prohibit serving pickled fruits with cognac, provided that black or red caviar is the main snack for it.