“Isfahan is half the world”

Today, a friend sent me the link to Pars Produce, a nursery here in California that specializes in Persian fruit varietals. And so began the roller coaster ride. First, anticipation as I clicked through the site. Breath growing shallow as I encountered one after another gorgeous fruit. Secondly, annoyance. If Isfahan is half of the world, then California is the other half! Why, o why, is this gorgeous juicy fruit not available at any of the Farmer’s Markets I visit? Thirdly, excitement as I went out into the garden with wish list and sketch pad in hand. Is there room for everything, will there be enough space for trees to grow mature? Then, anxiety. No! My garden is too too small and I cannot possibly fit everything in, especially since most fruit trees are not offered in M9 rootstock (the dwarf rootstock that grows a tree 30-40% of it’s true size, perfect to espallier). And finally, relief. Whatever tree can’t fit in my garden, I can gift to friends…

Now, the only way to fit in the trees I must must have will be to espallier them, though I’ve never worked with a standard size tree. Espallier Persian fruit trees? Well, this past week, thanks to Rachel Laudan and her article on the connection between the Mexican and Islamic kitchens, my head has been filled with the idea of exotic flavors and their origin and place in kitchen’s of foreign cultures and traditions. Perhaps with these fruit trees, the connection between the Mexican and Islamic kitchens will be further enforced but in a more convoluted manner, here in California as I try to create a Franco-Persian garden…

Wish list:

• Noori apricot, with a sweet and edible pit
• Sour Orange or NAARANJ of Shahsavar
• Cornelian Mas cherry
• White Fig of Kan
• Moris Nigra, Shahtoot mulberry
• Bedjestan of Khorasan pomegranate
• Gourton of Esfahan quince

the most beautiful pear, the Damavand

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