Thirty-five traditional food and agricultural products from Saudi Arabia’s Medina region have been included in the international list of food heritage. The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission announced that these items have been listed under the global initiative known as the ‘Ark of Taste.’ A total of 180 products from the country are now part of this global food heritage initiative.
The ‘Ark of Taste’ is an online catalog maintained by the Slow Food Foundation. Its objective is to preserve traditional food products that are at risk of extinction, support local producers, and safeguard biodiversity and food culture for future generations.
The listed products from Medina include Al-Ais wheat, Al-Ais Barni dates, Hasawi mint, Al-Fiqra mountain honey, hummus, Shurek bread, balsam, cabbage, and Nabq fruit, among other local items.
Experts note that these products are deeply connected to the history, culture, and traditional dietary habits of the Medina region. Their inclusion in the international list will help highlight their cultural and economic significance.
This initiative is expected to benefit local farmers and producers while boosting the international profile of Saudi Arabia’s traditional food products.
According to the Culinary Arts Commission, another key objective of the initiative is to preserve the knowledge, methods, and culture associated with traditional food production. This will enable the rich agricultural and culinary heritage of Medina to be showcased to future generations.
Overall, the inclusion of these 35 products from Medina in the global list is viewed as a significant addition to the international recognition of Saudi Arabia’s traditional food culture and agricultural products.
