Persian Herbal Waters (Aragh) Guide: Types & How to Use Them
Aragh (also spelled araq) is a distilled herbal water — a staple of the Persian pantry that’s often mistaken for alcohol because of its name, but is entirely non-alcoholic. Made by steam-distilling herbs, flowers, or spices, aragh has been part of Persian households for centuries, sipped on its own, mixed into drinks, or used in cooking and baking.
How Is Aragh Made?
Aragh is made through steam distillation: fresh herbs or flowers are heated, and the steam — carrying the plant’s aromatic compounds — is condensed back into a fragrant water. The process is centuries old and doesn’t involve fermentation or alcohol at any stage, despite the name’s resemblance to “arak,” the unrelated Middle Eastern spirit.
Common Types of Persian Herbal Water
Golab — Rose Water
گلاب — The most well-known aragh, distilled from rose petals. Used to flavor tea, rice, and desserts, and traditionally splashed on guests as a welcoming gesture. Shop golab (rose water).
Mint Water
عرق نعناع — A cooling, refreshing herbal water traditionally sipped after meals. Shop mint water.
Chicory Water (Kasni)
عرق کاسنی — Made from chicory, with a mild, slightly bitter herbal profile — a traditional after-meal sip in Persian households. Shop chicory water.
Thyme Water (Avishan)
عرق آویشن — Distilled from thyme, with a warm, herbal aroma — often kept on hand as a household staple. Shop thyme water.
Musk Willow Water (Bidmeshk)
عرق بیدمشک — Distilled from musk willow blossoms, with a delicate floral fragrance, traditionally sipped on its own or mixed into rice pudding and other desserts. Shop bidmeshk (musk willow water).
Camel’s Thorn Water (Kharshotor)
عرق خارشتر — Distilled from camel’s thorn, a plant long used in Persian herbal tradition. Shop kharshotor (camel’s thorn water).
Forty Plant Water
عرق چهل گیاه — A blend distilled from a mix of herbs (traditionally around forty different plants), a well-known multi-herb aragh in Persian households. Shop forty plant water.
Cardamom Water (Hel)
عرق هل — Distilled from cardamom, with a warm, sweet-spiced aroma — a popular addition to tea. Shop hel (cardamom water).
Dog Rose Water (Nastaran)
عرق نسترن — Distilled from dog rose blossoms, with a lighter, wilder floral character than classic golab. Shop nastaran (dog rose water).
Fumitory Water (Shahtareh)
عرق شاهتره — Distilled from fumitory, a plant with a long history in Persian herbal tradition. Shop shahtareh (fumitory water).
Cumin Water (Zireh)
عرق زیره — Distilled from cumin seed, with a warm, earthy aroma quite different from the culinary spice’s typical use. Shop zireh (cumin water).
Orange Blossom Water
عرق بهار نارنج — Distilled from bitter orange blossoms, with a bright, citrusy floral aroma — popular in both drinks and baking. Shop orange blossom water.
Borage Water (Golgavzaban)
عرق گاوزبان — Distilled from borage flowers, a traditional herbal water often kept as a household staple. Shop golgavzaban (borage water).
How to Use Aragh
- Sipped on its own — many aragh varieties are drunk straight, often after a meal, sometimes lightly sweetened.
- Mixed into drinks — a splash in water, tea, or sekanjebin (mint-vinegar syrup) adds a fragrant twist.
- In desserts — golab and bidmeshk are common flavorings in rice pudding, saffron rice pudding (sholeh zard), and other sweets.
- As a welcoming gesture — rose water is traditionally splashed on guests’ hands at celebrations and gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aragh (Persian herbal water) alcoholic?
No. Despite sounding similar to “arak,” aragh is a non-alcoholic distilled herbal water made through steam distillation, with no fermentation involved.
What is the most popular type of aragh?
Golab (rose water) is the most widely known and used, appearing in tea, rice dishes, desserts, and as a traditional welcoming gesture for guests.
How should aragh be stored?
Store aragh in a cool, dark place, tightly sealed. Once opened, refrigeration helps preserve its fragrance longer.
Can I use aragh in baking?
Yes — rose water and orange blossom water in particular are popular flavorings in Persian and Middle Eastern baking and desserts.
Shop the Full Herbal Water Collection
Browse the complete range of authentic Persian herbal waters at Goaldees (also searched as Goldis), shipped fresh, nationwide across the US. Shop the full herbal waters (aragh) collection.
