This crispy layer is the crown jewel of Iranian rice dishes and by many accounts the most sought after part of the meal. Tahdig forms at the bottom of the pot while the rice cooks, but when served ...

Notably worn by Emperor Aurangzeb and later Queen Victoria, it now resides in the British Crown Jewels as a result of war conquests. The Timur Ruby, weighing some 361 carats, is named after Timur.

This combination has become a hallmark of Iranian rice. The term tahdig comes from two Persian words: tah, meaning bottom, and dig, meaning pot — hence, “the bottom of the pot.” This crispy layer is ...