Armenia is a country that is completely surrounded by the territories of other countries. It is located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, which is bordered by Turkey in the west, Georgia in the North, Azerbaijan in the East & Southwest, and Iran in the South.
In Armenia, ttu pickles, dried apricots, brandy, and wine are mostly stored or packaged in glass jars and glass bottles across generations.
In this article, we will see how Armenia's ttu pickles, dried fruits, brandy, and wines have been traditionally preserved over the years, especially using glass jars and bottles, the recipes, and how you in the UK can use the right glass container to prepare and store.
Armenia's Food Culture and the Use of Glass Containers Across Generations
In the world, Armenia is known as one of the oldest wine-producing regions, and winemaking in Armenia dates back over 6,000 years.
Since Armenia is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, its cuisine reflects its history with Asia and Europe. Some of the pillars of Armenia’s food culture include stuffed vine leaves known as tolma/dolma, ancient wines, grilled meats known as khorovats, fresh herbs, breads like lavash, and the world-renowned brandy.
When you visit any home in Armenia, you'll likely find a litre of glass jar of ttu pickles alongside smaller jars of dried apricots, fruit preserves, and homemade condiments. This shows that glass jars and bottles are a major part/container for Armenians when it comes to preserving, storing, and sharing food at the household level and through industrial production.
At the industrial level, Armenian brandy, which is one of the country's most celebrated exports, is bottled in brandy glass bottles in various shapes, such as horse-shaped bottles, mosaic-pattern glass, and ornate gift-box bottles, among other types of brandy bottles.
On the other hand, wine and beer are packaged or stored in more conventional glass bottles, and mineral water, showing the Armenian commitment to using glass bottles for beverages.
Armenian Ttu Pickles, Dried Apricots, and Condiments/Preserves in Glass Jars
Armenian Ttu Pickles in Glass Jars
Ttu, also written as tourshu, is known as Armenia's national pickle. Ttu is a mix of various vegetables. A jar of ttu might contain cucumbers, cabbage, beans, onions, peppers, carrots, cauliflower, celery, green tomatoes, and beetroot, brined with garlic, chickpeas, and pickling spices. Armenian ttu is served alongside khorovats, tolma, and everyday meals.
Traditionally, a 3-litre glass jar is the ideal container for ttu precisely, a wide-mouth glass jar, which makes packing the vegetables easy. And because the glass is non-reactive, the vinegar and brine do not affect the flavour. And you can see exactly what's inside, which matters when you've got several jars lined up on a shelf.
Ttu (Tourshu) Pickles in 3-Litre Glass Jars
Ingredients
● A mix of chopped celery, tomatoes, chillies, cabbage wedges, sliced carrots, cauliflower florets, capsicums, a handful of chickpeas, and several garlic cloves
● 1 litre of water
● 2 tbsp salt
● 150ml white vinegar
● 1 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves
Method
● Sterilise a 3-litre wide-mouth glass jar with boiling water.
● Pack all the vegetables and chickpeas tightly into the jar, pressing down as you go.
● Boil the water, salt, vinegar, and all the spices together for 3 minutes.
● Pour the hot brine over the vegetables, filling to within 1cm of the rim.
● Seal immediately with an airtight lid and leave to cool completely.
● Store in a cool, dark place for at least 4 weeks before opening. The pickles will keep for several months.
You can find a wide-mouth food-grade glass jar with a secure lid from our collection of glass jars.
Dried Apricots, and Condiments/Preserves in Glass Jars
Beyond pickles, Armenians store a lot of dried fruits in glass jars. For example, dried apricots, also known as chir, are one of Armenia's most iconic fruits that need such storage, with Armenia being among the world's top apricot producers. Once the apricot is dried, chir is packed into glass jars to protect them from humidity, insects, and the kind of slow flavour loss that happens when dried fruit is stored in open bags or plastic containers.
Other dried fruits stored in Armenia include figs, plums, cornelian cherries, and mulberries, often stored in sealed glass jars on pantry shelves where they stay fresh and stable for months.
Aside from dried fruits, Armenians are also known for fruit preserves and jams. Apricot jam is one of the most common preserves, aside from quince, rose petals, green walnuts, and sour cherries, each one sealed into glass jars while still hot to create a natural vacuum. These preserves are also used as gifts, tokens of hospitality, and a way to preserve the summer fruits long after the season has ended.
Canned Apricots in Glass Jars
Ingredients
● 800g ripe apricots, halved and stoned
● 2 tsp lemon juice (or a pinch of citric acid per jar)
● 400ml water
● 200g sugar
Method
● Sterilise two 500ml glass jars and their lids in boiling water.
● Pack the apricot halves tightly into the jars, cut side down.
● Add 1 tsp lemon juice or a pinch of citric acid to each jar.
● Dissolve the sugar in the water over medium heat to make a light syrup. Pour over the apricots to within 1cm of the rim.
● Seal the jars and process in a water-bath canner for 20-25 minutes.
● Remove, cool completely, and store in the pantry. Properly sealed, they'll keep for up to two years.
You can find a 500ml glass jar with a tight-fitting lid from our collection of glass jars.
Armenian Wine, Brandy, Beer, and Mineral Water in Glass Bottles
Armenia has over 400 indigenous varieties of grapes; it also has one of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world, and winemaking is continuously advancing in the country. In 2007, archaeologists found evidence of wine production at the Areni-1 cave complex in Armenia dating back over 6,000 years.
Armenian wines, such as the dry reds and amber wines, which were made in traditional qvevri-like clay vessels, are mostly bottled in dark green or amber glass bottles to protect the wine content from UV light.
Armenian brandy, sometimes called cognac locally, although the label is geographically restricted, is where Armenians became very creative with glass bottles. They use designs such as horse-shaped bottles, mosaic-patterned glass, and elaborate gift boxes, making the Armenian brandy one of the most visually striking spirits on the market.
Beer, mineral water, and other drinks are also often enjoyed by Armenians. The traditional beer, mineral water, and other drinks in Armenia include:
● Գարեջուր (Gar’ejoor): This is the Armenian word for beer. It is a compound word combining gari (barley) and joor (water).
● Հանքային ջուր (Hanqayin joor): This is the Armenian term for mineral water. It combines hanqayin (mineral) and joor (water).
● Աղբյուրի ջուր (Aghbyuri joor): This means "spring water" and refers to non-carbonated, pure mountain water collected directly from natural mountain springs
● Թան (Tan): This is a traditional, refreshing drink made of yoghurt (matzoon), water, salt, and sometimes diced herbs.
● Կոմպոտ (Kompot): This is a sweet, non-alcoholic drink made by boiling local fruits (like apricots, peaches, or cornelian cherries) with water and sugar.
● Թթի օղի (Tti oghi): This is a traditional homemade spirit distilled from local mulberries.
Armenian Brandy Fruit Infusion in Glass Bottles
Ingredients
● 700ml brandy
● 6-8 dried apricots
● 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
● 1 small cinnamon stick
Method
● Make sure your glass bottle is clean and completely dry.
● Drop in the dried apricots, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick.
● Pour in the brandy and seal the bottle tightly.
● Store in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
● Taste after two weeks, the longer it sits, the deeper the flavour.
● Serve as a warming digestif or gift in a decorative glass bottle.
You can find 330ml to litres of glass bottles in our collection of glass bottles.
Armenian Food/Drinks and Recommended Glass Containers
|
Food/Dish/Drink |
Recommended Glass Jars or Bottles |
|
Ttu pickles |
Pickle jars, glass jars |
|
Dried apricots (chir) |
Glass storage jars, jam jars |
|
Fruit preserves |
Glass storage jars, jam jars, preserve jars |
|
Wine |
Wine bottles, alcohol bottles |
|
Brandy |
Glass bottles, alcohol bottles |
|
Beer |
Glass bottles, alcohol bottles |
|
Mineral water |
Glass bottles, wine bottles |
4 Interesting Things About Armenia's Food and Jar Culture
● Almost every Armenian household keeps at least one 3-litre glass jar of ttu in the pantry that doubles as a side dish and a condiment.
● In Armenia, the Saranist glass container plant in Kotayk Marz supplies glass bottles for wine, brandy, beer, mineral water, and juice, and exports them to Georgia, making it one of the South Caucasus's most significant regional glass packaging producers.
● Armenian brandy bottles are some of the most creative and unique in the world. They include horse-shaped glass bottles and intricate mosaic-pattern designs, making Armenian brandy instantly recognisable, highlighting how a glass bottle can be as much a part of the product's identity as what's inside.
● Armenia's glass-jar and bottle food culture is among the oldest in the world. The country has evidence of winemaking dating back over 6,000 years.
Using the Right Glass Container in the UK for Armenian Food
If you're inspired to try Armenian recipes at home, the good news is that you don't need anything exotic, just the recipe, ingredients, and the right glass containers.
For ttu pickles, choose wide-mouth glass jars because the wide opening makes packing the vegetables in or out much easier, and use a secured lid as well. For dried apricots and fruit preserves, use standard jam jars. For wine, other drinks, and brandy, glass bottles with tight-fitting stoppers, caps or corks are the right closures. Use amber or green glass bottles for beverages sensitive to light.
Also, when choosing any glass jar or bottle for food, consider getting food-grade glass, a secure lid or closure, and a size that suits your batch, while considering the reusability of the glass containers.
You can check for food-grade glass jars and bottles in different sizes and designs in our collections. We can also help you choose the right bottles for your needs.