History of Ice Cream (Bastani) in Iran
By: Ali Rahmani, July 2014
Iranians acquainted to ice cream when Iranian King, Nasser-o-ddin Shah of Qajar, in his trip to Europe enjoyed French ice cream in Paris. The monarch expressed his wishes to introduce ice cream to Iran but he never could fulfill it. Later on, his successor, Mozaffar-o-ddin Shah, did introduce ice cream to the court only. After its arrival to Iran, ice cream never left the palace walls until early 1920's.
Eating ice cream (bastani) around an ice cream vendor. Early 1900 CE
With the advent of Reza Shah of Pahlavi, the ice cream reached the streets of Iranian cities and continued its journey to the hearts of Iranians. This was the beginning of Iranians love affair with ice cream. They started to create their own version with rich flavors.
Akbar Mashti
Akbar Mashti, his real name was Akbar Mashhadi Malayeri, was the first to vend ice cream in Iran. He was born in 1878 in a remote village of Malayer county near Hamadan. At his early age, he left his village and came to Tehran. Before engaging in the ice cream business Akbar Mashti tried and experienced variety of jobs, like taking sugar and tea to the northern cities and bringing back firewood, to make a living.
During his stay in Tehran, Akbar Mashti was acquainted with Mohammad Rish, who maintained good ties with the courtiers of Persian king, Mozafar-o-ddin Shah. This friendship with Mohammad Rish resulted him to come in touch with ice cream.
Akbar Mashti and Mohammad Rish opened the first ice cream shop in Tehran near the Railway in Tehran in late 1920's. Some few years later Mohammad Rish abandoned the job but Akbar Mashti continued with selling ice cream. He created the Iranian version of ice cream, which is now famous as "Akbar Mashti Bastani" and loved by every Iranian. Akbar Mashti Bastani contains rose water, cream, saffron and salep.
Akbar Mashti was reputed for his honesty, sincerity and always offering the same best quality ice cream. He passed away at the age of 92 as result of kidney failure
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