AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s winter food-preservation season is underway, with markets offering homemade pickles made from cabbage, cucumbers, eggplants, garlic, sour plums, cornelian cherries, sour cherries and other produce.
Prices vary depending on the ingredients, preparation method and packaging costs, AZE.US reports.
At markets in Ismayilli, a jar of pickled cabbage – one of the most popular products – costs around 2-3 manats ($1.20-$1.80). Homemade adjika, which vendors describe as one of the most labor-intensive products, sells for 9-10 manats ($5.30-$5.90).
In Goychay, shoppers can find more unusual preserves made from wild cornelian cherries, sour plums and mountain herbs. A jar of pickled cornelian cherries costs about 7 manats ($4.10), while pickled capers are priced at 10-12 manats ($5.90-$7.10).
The selection is also extensive in Mingachevir, where vendors sell preserves made from cornelian cherries, sour cherries, medlar, peaches, quince and sour plums. Prices range from 6 to 10 manats ($3.50-$5.90) per jar. Pickled sour cherries, cornelian cherries and sour plums generally cost around 10 manats.
Vendors attribute the higher prices to rising costs for fruit, vegetables, salt, spices and glass jars. Despite the increased expenses, demand for homemade preserves remains strong ahead of winter.
Food safety specialists advise consumers to check storage conditions, container seals and the appearance of products before buying homemade preserves.
AZE.US