About Torshi

What is Torshi?

Torshi is a traditional and versatile staple in Persian cuisine in Iran and consists of  vegetables that ferments over time to become more sour and crisp. The word Torshi is derived from 'torsh', a Persian term which literally means 'sour'. In Iran, there are hundreds and hundreds of types of torshi in accordance to regional customs and traditions. In fact, in some families, no meal is considered complete without a bowl of torshi as a side dish on the table.

What's the history of Torshi?

It’s almost impossible to say exactly when Torshi was invented, but according to historical records, the first fermented vegetable traces back to 3000 years ago in Iran. 

Are there any health benefits or concerns from eating Torshi?

There are many health benefits to eating Torshi!

① Torshi is rich in beneficial probiotics which can help improve the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, ultimately benefiting your gut health and boosting your immune health and brain health as well.

② Torshi can help lower sugar levels and indirectly lower chances of developing cardiovascular diseases thanks to the vinegar content.

③ Torshi contains natural antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables. While cooking can break down some of these heat-sensitive nutrients, the fermentation process preserves their nutritional profile and antioxidant power.

As for health concerns, please note that torshi is relatively high in salt and should be consumed sparingly for those with high blood pressure.

How many types of torshis are out there?

There are many variants of the dish around the world; where the ingredients tend to differ based upon the variety being prepared. However, the basic pickle ingredients continue to remain the same. The dish can be made with one, two or more vegetables.

What is torshi's shelf life?

Brace yourself because Torshi can be preserved up to 12 months unopened or opened. The quality will remain high as long as you keep the torshi sealed tightly in the refrigerator and use only with clean utensils. Like many fermented foods, our best before dates are conservative and torshi literally never goes bad, it just becomes more sour and less crunchy. Our Torshi is a living product that will continue to develop in flavor and complexity. 

How long does it take to make torshi?

Due to the variety of torshi out there, there is no single correct answer. For us, making torshi is a notoriously laborious process that takes around 12 hours. Furthermore, we let our torshi ferment over a period of 7 days to ensure highest quality.