Dubai is a city that impresses with its gastronomic diversity, as it presents the cuisines and traditions of more than 200 nationalities living here. The emirate places great emphasis on restorative farming practices and food security, which is why the agricultural sector continues to be replenished with organic farms. These farms are open to the public – tourists and locals can come and see and buy fresh produce, A-Journal states.
A unique experience
Educational project My Farm Dubai spearheaded the ethical farming movement with the launch of a self-sustaining eco-farm. The brainchild of a hereditary farmer Mohammed Aissawi helps to learn the peculiarities of growing various types of fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs and spices. My Farm Dubai also makes handmade soaps that can be a nice gift for family and friends. Aissawi, a former engineer born and raised in the south of France into a farming family, came to Dubai to create an eco-farm in the middle of the desert, using family knowledge and cutting-edge technology.
Those interested in a unique farming experience should check out Camelicious Dairy Farm. After driving a little away from the city, tourists will be able to get acquainted with camels, participate in their feeding, and witness camel races. It also sells various camel milk products, including ice cream, coffee drinks, and even an organic energy drink with ginseng and B vitamins.
In the heart of Umm Suqeim’s coastal region, Jumeirah Fish Market is where you can find the freshest and most affordable seafood in Dubai. Guests will be able to purchase over 50 species of them, including lobster, crabs, tiger prawns, fish, and more. Buyers have the opportunity to immediately ask for the fish to be cleaned and taken to one of the nearby local restaurants, where it will be prepared.
Hatta Beekeeping Center combines education and fun for the whole family and produces organic honey without additives. This unique farm promotes the reproduction of honey bees, which are incredibly important for preserving the global ecosystem, food security, and economic growth.
Local production
For signature Dubai sweets such as the date and cardamom chocolate, head to Mirzam Chocolate Boutique. Designed to make the chocolate-making process transparent and intuitive,the boutique has a visitor’s workshop from roasting cocoa beans to hand-wrapping each bar. Since its launch in 2016, Mirzam has won five Chocolate Academy Awards.
Classics of the East
The Spice Market, located in the historic center of Dubai, provides visitors with the basics of traditional Arabic and South Asian cuisine. It also offers a wide selection of aromatic teas from around the world, which you can taste with a stop after your walk.
Finally, no trip to Dubai would be complete without the traditional delicacy of the date. The leading nine indigenous species of date palms, including Halas and Barhi, are the same symbols of the Middle East as oil and sand. Visitors can buy these sweet fruits in every corner of the city, while hospitable Bateel branded stores offer tastings and a brief history of dates.
For those who want to get to know the production process in detail, the world’s largest private factory Al Barakah Dates will soon appear in Dubai, which will use the energy of 6,500 solar panels to produce sweet products. This offsets 3,000 tons of carbon emissions per year!
The UAE could become the first Gulf state to set a net-zero goal, raising questions over emissions of fossil fuels produced to power the global economy – read more here.
