New Delhi: The exotic aroma of spices like cardamom and saffron filled the air as hundreds of visitors thronged the Iran pavilion for dry fruits, candy and jewellery at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan New Delhi, which entered fourth day on Saturday.
“The spices and dry fruits are probably the best selling products. Indians love spices and they appreciate quality,” M.A. Karimi Nejad, representing the Niavaran export company’s stall, told IANS.
Nejad said the dry fruits from Iran are better in quality and taste better due to the apt soil and climatic conditions. As far as the saffron is concerned, it is the best in the world, he added proudly.
“Just taste our almonds and raisins and you will feel the difference in flavour. Also take a whiff of the saffron and you will know how pure it is,” he said, adding that two grams of saffron is priced at Rs.450.
Right next to Nejad, another Iranian product was selling like hot cakes – ‘Sohan Parsa’ or Iranian candy. Light brown in colour, the round shaped cake is made from wheat sprout, cardamom, herbal butter, rose water, flour, pistachio, sugar and saffron.
A 200-gram box costs Rs.350 and is a huge crowd puller. “We are selling at least 20 boxes daily and that number will increase in the coming days when the gates are opened to the general public,” Parviz Shojaie at the Persian Gulf Green Hope Trading Co. stall told IANS.
The Iranian pavilion also boasts of stalls selling exquisite handcrafted jewellery and lamps.”We have silver jewellery like bracelets, rings, necklaces etc. and most of them is handcrafted,” Hassan Kosheshrani of Silver Star co. told IANS, adding that they do not deal in gold or diamond jewellery.
The products start from Rs.300 upwards and apart from silver, jewellery made of beautiful pearls and coloured beads was also quite popular.
Then there are lamps made of wood or metal with delicate designs and engravings. Priced between Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000, these lamps are available in various sizes and colours.
The 32nd edition of the annual IITF opened Wednesday with over 6,000 exhibitors from India and abroad. Organisers expect around 20 lakh visitors during the 14-day event.