French-Armenian cook’s Armenian recipe for handling summer heat

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The aim of Honey and berry festival, which has been held in Berd town for the 4th consequent year, is to raise awareness about local cuisine and natural products. Armenian cook from France Alain Alexanian prepares and treats festival participants to a typical regional drink made of herbs, honey and berries. “I have come from France, and the reason I am here is to appreciate local natural products. I will present a recipe impromptu during honey and berries festival. If we use water boiler, we can prepare herbal infusion, but as the infusion is very thick, we mix it with honey and add some berries. As it’s very hot now, we can add some cold water, and hot water in winter. Instead of drinking cold tea, you get a tasty and healthy drink of Armenian origin which will be named “Honey aroma” today.”, said Alain Alexanian treating Armenpress correspondents to the drink.

According to the French-Armenian cook, the festivals give Armenia picturesqueness. “We must be able to protect the population in Armenia. The politics, the politicians and Yerevan are not important, but the people of regions. I like villages better than the city”, concluded Alain Alexanian .

Berd is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia and a central settlement within the Shamshadin region. It is located to the left of the Tavush river, 211 kilometres (131 miles) from Yerevan, surrounded with low mountains.

Located near the city are the ruins of the Tavush fortress (10th century), the Nor Varagavank and Khoranashat monasteries (12th century). Other monasteries not far include Shkhmuradi, Srveghi and Kaptavank.

Berd is also the center of agricultural area in Armenia. Near the city, fruit, tobacco and other cultures are grown. Other well-developed industries of Berd include winemaking, beekeeping, and granary.