Bastani Sonnati

Bastani Sonnati, more commonly known as bastani, is a delightful traditional Iranian ice cream. This delectable treat is crafted from a blend of milk, eggs, sugar, rose water, saffron, vanilla, and pistachios. Often referred to as Persian ice cream, bastani can also feature frozen clotted cream and a special ingredient known as salep.

Another popular Iranian dessert is Āb Havij Bastani, essentially a carrot juice ice cream float. This unique treat is sometimes enhanced with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.

The origins of bastani trace back to approximately 500 BCE during the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. During that time, people would pour various syrups over snow to create refreshing "fruit ice" treats known as sharbat, often flavored with saffron, grape juices, and fruits. Even Alexander the Great, who waged war against the Persians, couldn't resist these sweetened "fruit ices" made with honey and snow.

By 400 BCE, Persians had developed faloodeh, a dessert that combined rose water and vermicelli to create something akin to ice cream. Following the Arab invasion of Iran and the fall of the Persian Sasanian Empire, Persians introduced both ice cream and faloodeh to the Arab world.