In Episode #39, co-hosts Beata and Bita talk about their experiences and memories of burning esfand (also called espand) - the customs and rituals around it - and some modern takes on burning rue and/or sage. This is the first of a series of shorter “Micro” episodes for the summer.
What is esfand?
- A wild rue resembling small dark pebble
When/why is it burned?
- To ward off evil spirits/the evil eye (in Farsi, “cheshm bad”)
- For good luck/good energy
- Some believe to disinfect the area or the room
Tools needed/methods to burn
- In a special esfand burner - metal with a handle
- In folded, thick tin foil
- With a special spiral tool on a wand to dip into a jar of esfand
Ask the Beats!
Bita and Beata are skipping the ask the beats section in the shorter, summer version micro episodes. Be sure to keep the questions, ideas, and topics of interest coming as they will pick up with the segment in the fall.
Resources and recipes from this episode:
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: https://modernpersianfood.com/episodes/
Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: https://beatseats.com
Co-host Bita Arabian blog: https://ovenhug.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio