Persian Sweets Guide: Gaz, Noghl, Nabaat & More
Persian sweets are less about frosted cakes and more about nougat, candied nuts, and crystallized sugar — many rooted in centuries-old recipes tied to specific cities and regions. Here’s a guide to the classics, from the famous pistachio nougat of Isfahan to the rock candy that sweetens every cup of Persian tea.
Classic Persian Sweets
Gaz
گز — Isfahan’s famous nougat, traditionally made with the sap of the angebin plant, whipped with egg white and studded with pistachios. Comes in different pistachio concentrations. Shop 18% pistachio gaz, 28% pistachio gaz, or 28% pistachio saffron gaz.
Noghl
نقل — Whole almonds or walnuts coated in a hard, often rose-flavored sugar shell — a traditional celebration candy served at weddings and holidays. Shop rose & walnut noghl or musk willow & walnut noghl.
Nabaat (Saffron Rock Candy)
نبات — Large crystals of rock candy, often infused with saffron, traditionally used to sweeten Persian tea one crystal at a time. Shop saffron nabaat, white nabaat, or saffron rock candy on a stick.
Nuqul (Frosted Almond Pearls)
نقل بادام — Small sugar-coated almond candies, similar to noghl but in a smaller, pearl-like form — a popular treat for gatherings. Shop frosted almond pearls.
Kak & Noon Berenji
کاک و نان برنجی — Traditional Kermanshah-style cookies — kak is a crumbly, spiced cookie, while noon berenji is a delicate rice-flour cookie. Shop Kermanshah kak or noon berenji.
Persian Cookies
شیرینی — Beyond the regional specialties, simple flavored cookies are a Persian tea-time staple. Shop walnut cookies or coconut cookies.
Cube Sugar
قند — Hard sugar cubes, the traditional way to sweeten Persian tea — held between the teeth while sipping, rather than stirred in. Shop cube sugar.
How Persian Sweets Are Served
Most Persian sweets are built around tea culture — nabaat and cube sugar sweeten the tea itself, while gaz, noghl, and cookies are offered alongside it to guests. Sweets like samanoo carry deeper symbolic meaning, tied to specific celebrations like Nowruz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gaz made of?
Traditional gaz is a nougat made from the sap of the angebin plant, whipped with egg white and rose water, and studded with pistachios — a specialty of the city of Isfahan.
How is nabaat different from regular sugar?
Nabaat is rock candy grown into large crystals, often infused with saffron, and is traditionally used to sweeten Persian tea by holding a piece in the mouth while sipping, rather than stirring in granulated sugar.
What is noghl used for?
Noghl — sugar-coated almonds or walnuts — is a traditional celebration candy, commonly served at Persian weddings and holiday gatherings.
What’s a good introduction to Persian sweets?
Gaz (pistachio nougat) and nabaat (saffron rock candy) are the two most iconic and widely enjoyed Persian sweets, and a great starting point for anyone new to them.
Shop the Full Sweets Collection
Browse the complete range of authentic Persian sweets at Goaldees (also searched as Goldis), shipped fresh, nationwide across the US. Shop the full Sweets collection.
