Persian food products and snacks like Lavashak are easy to find in New York and New Jersey. The stores that sell Lavashak aren’t necessarily run by a Persian owner, but still, you can get Lavashak in different flavors in these supermarkets.
Kalustyan’s
Business Description
Let’s just say that any supermarket item you expect is stacked on some shelf in Kalustyan’s: Drinks, spices, beans, and other ingredients. There’s also a small section where you can find some kitchenware, like pots and food trays in different sizes.
Balady Halal Foods
Business Description
If you live in Brooklyn, you should do all your grocery shopping at Balady Halal Foods. It’s not just for groceries; you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the produce section. You can also purchase some china or clay dishes to add a touch of class to your kitchen.
International Halal Market
Business Description
Halal Market is a reliable grocery store because all of its products are certified Halal, so you never have to worry about the ingredients. It’s not a very large store, but you can find most of the food items you need for your kitchen.
International Food Market
Business Description
spacious, well-lit, and well-stocked hypermarket where you can find food, fruits, and snacks. Interestingly, this hypermarket offers a wide variety of Lavashak flavors in different packaging. You can buy Lavashak in the form of candy, fruit rolls, and fruit sheets. In short, it’s a one-stop market for all your grocery shopping.
Caspian Market – Ridgewood
Business Description
It’s a Persian supermarket filled with items needed in every Persian kitchen. In addition to the usual grocery items, this supermarket also offers nuts, sweets, and popular snacks like Lavashak and fruit rolls. That’s not all; you can find authentic Persian bakery products like Sangak bread and pastry products like Sohan and Gaz.
What Lavashak Is and Why It’s a Persian Favorite?
Lavashak is essentially sun-dried fruit puree rolled into thin, chewy sheets, originating from ancient Persia. This method is used to preserve seasonal fruits like plums, apricots, cherries, or pomegranates. It tastes like a burst of concentrated fruitiness with a sour edge that can range from mildly tangy to intensely puckering, depending on the type. Plum Lavashak is often the sourest, while apricot offers a sweeter profile.
Persians eat it for its nostalgic value, reminiscent of childhood summers, and it’s popular in New York and New Jersey’s Persian enclaves like Great Neck or Teaneck, where families gather for Nowruz celebrations.
Is it healthy? Absolutely, when made traditionally without added sugars, it’s packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants from real fruit, though store-bought versions might include preservatives, so check labels for purity.
Lavashak; where to buy in New York–New Jersey
Wondering “Where can I buy Lavashak in New York–New Jersey?” Persian markets dot the region, from Manhattan’s bustling spots to quieter New Jersey suburbs, stocking both imported and locally made varieties. Regular grocery stores rarely carry it, but authentic places like those in Brooklyn Heights or Ridgewood offer the best selection, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 per pack depending on size and flavor.
For top quality, look for vibrant colors without dullness, a flexible texture that’s not brittle, and ingredients listing just fruit and perhaps a touch of salt. Avoid overly sticky or artificially colored ones.
Homemade Lavashak, sometimes available at community events in Persian-heavy neighborhoods like Long Island’s North Shore, trumps store-bought for freshness, but the latter is convenient and often just as flavorful if sourced from reputable importers.
Practical Tips for Enjoying and Storing Your Lavashak
Once you’ve decided to buy Lavashak in New York and New Jersey, incorporating it into your routine is simple—eat it straight as a snack, roll it up with nuts for added crunch, or pair it with tea for an afternoon pick-me-up. It lasts up to a year unopened in a cool, dry pantry, but once exposed, store it in an airtight container in the fridge to prevent drying out, where it’ll keep for months.
Making Lavashak at home is feasible with a food dehydrator or low oven; puree fresh fruits, spread thin, and dry slowly. Although it takes patience, the result is customizable and rewarding. In areas with strong Persian communities, like Jersey City’s Journal Square, stores often get fresh shipments weekly, ensuring peak quality.
The Cultural and Local Appeal of Lavashak Here
Lavashak’s rise in popularity stems from the vibrant Persian community in New York and New Jersey, where over 100,000 Iranian-Americans reside, fostering markets that double as social hubs.
Lavashak is a staple in Persian households for its portability and health benefits, often shared during picnics or holidays. Locally, neighborhoods like Queens’ Little Persia or Bergen County’s Persian enclaves boast makers who blend traditional methods with American twists, like adding local berries.
Whether you’re Persian or just exploring, these spots offer more than products. They provide a glimpse into a rich heritage, with owners eager to chat about origins and pairings. The Persian community in different cities overseas can rely on Persian businesses listed on Nazdikia’s website. Get the job done by another expat.