Sherbets and Desserts

The sherbets of Azerbaidzhan are not frozen but served as cold beverages to accompany plovs. Very little sugar is used in their preparation, the basic ingredients being acidic juices of fruits like sour grapes, lemons, pomegranates and infusions made of seeds or buds of aromatic plants. A small amount of rose petal infusion is also obligatory. All the juices are carefully strained so the sherbets end up transparent; sometimes colouring is added to intensify the natural colours.