How Lavash Bread Is Made In Armenia | Regional Eats

Summary: How Lavash Bread Is Made In Armenia

This video explores the traditional making of lavash bread in Armenia, a regional flatbread integral to Armenian, Iranian, and Turkish cuisines. In 2014, lavash was recognized by UNESCO on its representative list of intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its significance in Armenian culture.

Journey to Armenia

The host, an Armenian American, embarks on a journey to Yerevan, Armenia, to delve into the history and traditional preparation methods of lavash within local communities. The exploration begins at a local restaurant, providing an initial glimpse into the craft.

Traditional Lavash Making

The core of lavash production involves skilled bakers who *thinly roll each ball of dough*. This dough is then expertly placed over a large cushion before being *slammed onto the hot walls of a “tonir” or clay oven*. The lavash bakes rapidly, bubbling within seconds, and is then carefully removed using an iron rod. The outcome is a distinctive oval-shaped flatbread, approximately 70 centimeters in length.

Community and Markets

Throughout Armenia, women are seen making and selling lavash in various settings, including restaurants and bustling food markets. The video specifically mentions a visit to the Goom Y Suka, one of Yerevan’s largest food markets, where many women offer their homemade lavash. The process is described as being physically demanding and warmer than it appears.

Enjoying Lavash

Lavash is versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways: on its own with cheese, wrapped around kebabs or *horovats* (barbecue), or even dipped into a traditional soup called *hush*, made from boiled cow hooves. Regardless of how it’s consumed, no Armenian dinner table is considered complete without this iconic bread.

Vocabulary Table

Term	Pronunciation	Definition	Used in sentence
lavash	/ləˈvɑːʃ/	A soft, thin unleavened flatbread, often baked in a tandoor or on a convex griddle.	this is a type of bread called lavash.
regional	/ˈriːdʒənəl/	Relating to or characteristic of a particular region or area.	it’s a regional flatbread enjoyed around the South Caucasus and Western Asia.
flatbread	/ˈflætˌbrɛd/	A bread made with flour, water, and salt, and then thoroughly rolled into flattened dough.	it’s a regional flatbread enjoyed around the South Caucasus and Western Asia.
cuisine	/kwɪˈziːn/	A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment.	it’s an essential part of Armenian Iranian and Turkish cuisine.
UNESCO	/juːˈnɛskoʊ/	United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.	in 2014 lavash was added to UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
intangible	/ɪnˈtændʒəbəl/	Unable to be touched or grasped; not having physical presence.	list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
cultural heritage	/ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/	The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations.	intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
traditionally	/trəˈdɪʃənəli/	As part of a tradition; according to tradition.	see how it’s traditionally made in Armenian communities.
tonir	/toʊˈnɪər/	A traditional Armenian clay oven, similar to a tandoor.	slamming it on the walls of a Tony or clay oven the lavash bakes and bubbles in the Tony.
flatbread	/ˈflætˌbrɛd/	A bread made with flour, water, and salt, and then thoroughly rolled into flattened dough.	the result is an oval-shaped flatbread that’s about 70 centimeters long.

Vocabulary Flashcards

While-viewing Tasks

Complete these tasks while watching the video:

Guided Notes

Fill in the key information as you watch:

Lavash is a regional flatbread from:
In 2014, lavash was added to UNESCO’s list of:
The traditional oven used to bake lavash is called a:
Bakers use this to remove lavash from the oven:

Questions to Answer

Answer the following questions after watching the relevant parts of the video:

What does the host’s journey to Yerevan signify in the context of the video?
Describe the process of making lavash inside the tonir oven.
How is lavash typically served and eaten in Armenian culture?

Checklist

Check off these items as you observe them in the video:

Observe women rolling lavash dough.
See lavash being baked in a tonir.
Identify at least two ways lavash is consumed.

Embedded Video:

Fill in the Blanks Exercise

1. This is a type of bread called .

2. It’s a flatbread enjoyed around the South Caucasus and Western Asia.

3. In 2014, lavash was added to representative list of intangible cultural heritage.

4. The host traveled to Armenia to learn about its history.

5. Lavash is traditionally made in Armenian .

6. The bakers thinly roll each ball of .

7. They slam the dough on the walls of a or clay oven.

8. The lavash bakes and bubbles for a matter of .

9. It’s removed using an .

10. The result is an oval-shaped that’s about 70 centimeters long.

Extension Activities

Choose from these activities to extend your learning:

Research Project: Culinary Heritage

Research another food item or culinary tradition from the South Caucasus or Western Asia that has been recognized by UNESCO. Write a short report on its cultural significance and preparation methods.

Difficulty:
Medium

Explore Armenian Culture

Read about other aspects of Armenian culture, such as their history, art, or language. Prepare a brief presentation on an interesting fact you learned.

Difficulty:
Easy

Compare Bread Traditions

Work with a partner to research and compare lavash to another traditional flatbread from a different culture (e.g., naan, tortilla, pita). Discuss similarities and differences in ingredients, preparation, and cultural roles.