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Persian saffron rice pudding
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 cup (medium) of Shole zard (240 g) has 331 calories. That works out to 138 calories per 100 g. It contains 71.5 g of carbs, 5 g of protein, 3.4 g of fat and 1.2 g of fiber. Its 0.4 mg of Manganese covers 19% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 72 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 240 g
331
KCAL / 240G
Carbs
71.5g
· 26% DV
Protein
5g
· 10% DV
Fat
3.4g
· 4% DV
Fiber
1.2g
· 4% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 85% · Protein 6% · Fat 9%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 331 kcal | |
| Total fat | 3.4 g | 4% |
| Saturated fat | 1.68 g | 8% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 77 mg | 3% |
| Total carbohydrate | 71.5 g | 26% |
| Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% |
| Protein | 5 g | 10% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (medium) | 240 g | 331 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (grated) | 20 g | 28 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 90 g | 124 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 138 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 150 g | 207 kcal |
| 1 cup (small) | 180 g | 248 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 250 g | 345 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 320 g | 442 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 350 g | 483 kcal |
Calculated from 138 calories per 100 g.
Shole zard is a traditional Persian saffron rice pudding. Rice is cooked until very soft, then sweetened and scented with ingredients such as rosewater; it is usually served chilled with cinnamon and sometimes nuts on top.
To make Shole zard, soak the rice, then simmer it in water until it breaks down and becomes very soft. Stir in sugar and saffron, add rosewater near the end, and let the pudding cool in serving bowls until set.
Shole zard is commonly translated from Persian as “yellow flame.” The name refers to the dessert’s bright saffron color, rather than to a cooking method or a particular type of rice.
Shole zard is typically made with rice, water, sugar, saffron, and rosewater. Some recipes add cardamom or butter, while cinnamon, almonds, or pistachios are common toppings; ingredients vary between households.
Traditional Shole zard is made without milk; its thick, soft texture comes from rice cooked until it releases starch. Recipes can vary, so versions enriched with butter are possible, but milk is not needed for the classic pudding.
Shole zard is usually served cool or at room temperature rather than hot. Chilling lets it thicken in its bowl, and the cinnamon or nut garnish is commonly added once the surface has set.
People in Iran often prepare Shole zard for religious gatherings and as nazri, food shared or distributed as an offering. It is also served at family gatherings and celebrations, rather than being limited to one particular holiday.
Shole zard is a Persian style of rice pudding distinguished by saffron and rosewater, and it is usually cooked with water. Many familiar Western rice puddings rely on milk and have a creamy, dairy-forward flavor instead.
Cinnamon gives Shole zard a warm aroma and contrasts with its saffron-yellow surface. Cooks also use it, sometimes with nuts, to draw decorative patterns on the pudding before serving.
Shole zard generally keeps for about 3–4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Chill it after serving, and use a clean spoon when portioning so the remaining pudding stays fresh.
Vitamins
B3
0.96mg · 6% DV
Biotin
1.44µg · 5% DV
B6
0.07mg · 4% DV
B1
0.05mg · 4% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.43mg · 19% DV
Copper
0.1mg · 11% DV
Phosphorus
67mg · 10% DV
Selenium
4.32µg · 8% DV
Sodium
77mg · 3% DV
Potassium ⭐
77mg · 2% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 331 calories in 1 cup (medium) (240 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Shole zard is a Persian saffron rice pudding, made by cooking rice until soft and sweetening it with sugar and saffron. Some versions include rosewater or cardamom, and it is often finished with cinnamon and nuts. Unlike a dairy-based rice pudding, its colour and fragrance come chiefly from saffron and its other aromatics.
In Iran, it is served as a dessert and is also associated with religious occasions; elsewhere, it makes a fragrant addition to a shared meal or a cup of tea. The texture is soft and spoonable, with a distinctly sweet, floral taste. Its energy comes mainly from carbohydrates, while protein and fat are relatively low. For a lighter serving, use a smaller bowl or reduce the sugar, and keep the nut garnish modest.
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
1.68g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.96g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.22g
Omega 6:3 ratio 9.5:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (9.5:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.