11/11/2022
Hyderabadi Delicacy Ashrafi’s
ASAK!
Introducing “Ashrafi’s” the Sweetest Nizami currency ever made. It is a Hyderabadi delicacy made by only a few nawaiti families and now YummyBadams is proud to present it to the Hyderabadi connoisseurs residing in the USA. We are located in Lincolnwood IL and we do ship too.
History of the Gold ASHRAFI’s:
“Ashrafi” is a term meaning a gold coin was first minted in the 18th century. The word Ashrafi was coined in Farsi (Persian: اشرفی) in present day Iran.
In 1725, Ashraf Hotak became the Shahenshah of the Hotak Empire, Isfahan was his capital. He issued gold coins under his own name, he named it after himself as the “Ashrafi”.
It soon became common in the Middle East, Ottoman Empire, Asia, the Mughal Empire and the AsafJahi Dynasty of Hyderabad & Berar etc. to mint gold coins and name them Ashrafi’s.
Ashrafi’s were only made of Pure Gold. Sher Shah Suri made Gold Mohurs and each Ashrafi was equal to 2 Gold Mohurs or 30 “Chandi ke Sikke” (Silver Rupees). Now there is a Nizami copper one too which needs more investigation. Later on that.
The Nawaiti families in Madras and Arcot used to offer a sweet treat to the young Prince of Arcot. It was a circular disc shaped without any writing (Naqshi) on it.
The same form was offered to the Nizam of Hyderabad who loved its taste and exciting libido enhancing folklore about it. He commissioned the Nizam Mint Master to make a die that would
make this sweet treat look like a coin shape with inscriptions on both sides so it would look like a gold coin, this became the sweet Ashrafi Hyderabadi delicacy as we know it today. These dies came in pairs, and were given as a gift to only a few chosen ones in Hyderabad who made this sweet treat and these few families continue to make it till today. Please check out the fine detailed Ashrafi’s pictured in this post and see the incredible gold hue that mimics real gold so beautifully.
YummyBadams is proud to showcase these Sweetest Nizami Currency called Ashrafi’s.
The Real original sweet Ashrafi is coloured with Saffron which gives the almond preparation its beautiful hue of Gold. It has an inscription written in Farsi on both sides and it gives the partial recipe of the Ashrafi in a very poetic way. The script is in Farsi but not the Persian language, it is the language of the Nawaiti’s, who use the Farsi script. This most unique sweet treat that YummyBadams makes is a delicacy for every foodie in existence.
Imagine yourself showing the following line in quotes to an American, Australian or a British person and ask them to read it. “YummyBadam ke Badam ki Jaaliyaan aur Ashrafiyaan kiraak hee nahin, maut hain miyaan, khaake dekho ustaad aap bhi fidaa hoenge, bolrun mein…” now they would all say that this is not English but they would say that the English script is used. Same way the Nawaits used the Farsi script too.
We at YummyBadams make these Ashrafi’s with Premium Sweet Almonds, old world cane Sugar, a specially made Rose water, Persian or Spanish Saffron etc. A whole lotta love & secrets goes into making this sweet Hyderabadi delicacy. The Nizam loved it and had these on hand all the time. The benefits known at that time were aphrodisiacal and magical, assisting him in his nocturnal pleasures. The Nizam had many potent vigor increasing ingredients mixed in these treats. We know those secrets! Shhhhh! (Please do not ask us, we ain’t telling!🤐)
These Ashrafi’s are not baked but Air-Dried. It is done to make sure the magic in it is not lost. The Ashrafi’s pair wonderfully well with the Badam ki Jaali we make and are usually gifted at Hyderabadi weddings as an offering in Bari’s (Gifts exchanged between the Brides and the Grooms families) What a wonderful tradition we Hyderabadi’s have?
Hopefully many will continue this sweet tradition too.
One thing about our Ashrafi’s, they are highly addictive. You can’t stop after eating just one. All our clients love em and we are sure you would as well.
We hope you like this post of Ashrafi’s! These are the stories we grew up with and are sure you may have some interesting stories to share with us as well. We would love to hear them.
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We plan to have a new post often, and hope that you enjoy reading it as well!
P.S. If you would like to know the Nawaiti poem written on both sides of the Ashrafi, and who wrote it let us know in the comment section and do not forget to follow us. ☺️
