Barberries add acidity that balances the fattiness of the meat and carrots. Without them plov tastes heavier and more one-note. A kazan for 4–6 takes a handful, about 10–15 g.
Spices & herbs
Zirk: dried barberries for plov
Zirk are dried barberries: small, bright red and tart. The classic plov seasoning, adding a sweet-sour lift and a flash of colour.
Barberries (zirk in Uzbek) are small, bright red berries with a distinctive tartness, traditionally used to season plov, tea and sweets. In plov they go in by the handful along with the spices, adding a sweet-sour note that balances the fattiness of the meat and sets off the rice.
- Origin
- Uzbekistan / Kyrgyzstan (Arslanbob, Fergana Valley)
- Category
- Spices and seasonings
- Packaging
- Loose from 50 g, packed 100 g
- Shelf life
- Up to 18 months in a dry, dark place
- Certification
- Halal, certified by ALHALAL
At an Uzbek counter, zirk is sold loose so you can see that the berries are whole, without stalks or broken bits. The best batches are deep red with a slight waxy sheen; dark, dusty berries have lost their flavour and give less colour to the dish.
Barberries go into plov at the zirvak stage, after the carrots and spices: a handful (10–15 g) for a kazan (a heavy cast-iron pot) serving 4–6. At home it helps to rinse them in cold water first, which washes off the dust and softens the berries slightly. In plov with dried apricots and raisins, barberries add a fresh, sour note without which the dish tastes "flat".
Besides plov, zirk goes into spiced tea, fillings for sweet samsa and plovs with a sweet note, such as the Tashkent wedding plov. Barberries last up to 18 months somewhere dry and dark, and should not go in the fridge.
FAQ
Barberries (zirk): common questions
At the zirvak stage, once the meat, onions and carrots are browned and the spices are in. The barberries simmer with the zirvak and give their acidity to the broth, which the rice then absorbs.
Barberries are smaller, more sour and drier; cranberries are juicier and less tart. Uzbek cooks do not swap barberries for cranberries, because the characteristic flavour is lost. If you have no barberries, it is better to leave them out than to substitute.
In an airtight jar somewhere dry and dark, at room temperature. Do not put them in the fridge: the berries take on moisture there and do not last as well. They keep for up to 18 months.
For plov or tea
Everything for dinner at one counter
At Arkan Bazar in Riga you can get everything for a meal in one go: rice, spices, dried fruit, flatbread and tea. Planning a family celebration or cooking for a large group? Write to us through the form in advance, and we will have your order ready on time.