Spice level warning — Pakhlava is not what I expected

I underestimated Pakhlava. The sweet-sour from fruit description didn't prepare me for the reality. quince brings a heat or pungency that builds steadily rather than hitting upfront. By halfway through I was sweating but couldn't stop eating.

tea drinking is a ritual — black tea served in armudu pear-shaped glasses accompanies every social encounter. The a wedding feast setting means locals eat this with ease while visitors like me reach for water. Xirdalan beer cut through it better than water would have. Don't order the mild version out of caution — the full version is the point. I'd go back. Three stars only because I wasn't warned.