Pashmak is served on its own or as an accompaniment to fruits, cakes, ice creams, puddings and desserts.

Although the texture is similar to cotton candy, both method and ingredients are different.

Pashmak originated in the Iranian city of Yazd known for its various traditional Persian sweets such as Baghlava, Qottab, and Gaz during Safavid Empire.

The Arabic sweet Ghazl al-Banat (Arabic: غزل البنات, English: Girls' Yarn) is virtually identical to pashmak, and is referred to as Oriental Cotton Candy.

A Turkish sweet called pişmaniye bears some resemblance to pashmak.