Drunken Cherry
Go on a journey through Armenia’s landscapes and kitchens, its memories and quiet rituals in this month’s issue of SALT. From vegan dining and forgotten recipes to hiking trails and nostalgic reflections, these stories invite us to slow down and appreciate the unexpected.
Cover photo by Meghrie Yaacoubian.
During Armenia’s “dark and cold” years, baking became more than a pastime, it became a survival strategy. Through one woman’s memories and a cherished recipe, Ella Kanegarian-Berberian traces the resilience, ingenuity and quiet solidarity of a generation of Armenian women.
In a small laboratory, food chemist Kristina crafts botanical beverages inspired by Armenia’s landscapes, family traditions and science. Maria Gunko traces the delicate balance between chemistry, intuition and generations of women’s knowledge.
The Armenian National Trail aims to connect the country from north to south, but its greatest discovery lies beyond the landscape. Hiking through Lori’s mountains and villages, Michele Crestani finds a journey shaped by hospitality, history and the quiet rhythms of communities that reveal themselves only to those willing to slow down.
Music in Kapan, a wedding, Vardavar and encounters with strangers become part of a journey both outward and inward. Returning to Armenia, Kristi Rendahl reflects on joy, loss, friendship and the unexpected moments that can bring the fragmented pieces of a life together.
Once limited to salads and side dishes, vegan dining in Armenia is quietly expanding. New restaurants, cafés and bakeries are proving that plant-based food isn’t about restriction, it’s about creating spaces where everyone can enjoy a meal together.
EVN Report’s mission is to empower Armenia, inspire the diaspora and inform the world through sound, credible and fact-based reporting and commentary. Our goal is to increase public trust in the media. EVN Report is the media arm of EVN News Foundation registered in the Republic of Armenia in 2017.
