sample rosehip syrupin Zarat village
Rosehip is renowned for its medicinal properties, including its ability to clean kidneys and lower blood pressure. This is precisely what prompted Aghami Aghayev’s grandfather to first begin cultivating the plant near his native village of Zarat, because the village’s remote location – at 2100m in the Greater Caucasus Mountains – meant that medicine had to be made locally.
Decades have passed and Aghami is now following in his grandfather’s footsteps by running a small rosehip syrup production business in Zarat. He welcomes curious visitors and will happily show you his rosehip fields and production methods. You can witness and participate in the full process, from picking the plant in the fields to cooking the extracted juice with sugar to form a liquid jam, as well as enjoy plenty of tea and tales back at Aghami’s house.
The syrup and other products made from rosehip are all available to purchase. However, the main attractions are witnessing a rare and unique culinary practice and simply enjoying Zarat’s remote and picturesque location.