إبداعات بحرينية متنوعة في مهرجان اللوز

Trainee: Anaghim Al-Ghanim - Photography: Sayed Ali Hassan The Bahraini Almond Festival, held at the farmers' market in Hoora A'ali, attracted large numbers of visitors from its opening day, offering an experience that combines local agricultural produce, innovative food industries, and emerging Bahraini projects. "Almond and beetroot dip" emerged as the latest trend of the season, alongside new varieties and food products prepared by young Bahraini men and women using almonds. The Date Palm Festival Coming Soon During her tour of the festival, Sheikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Sector Development, confirmed that Bahrain abounds with many seasonal agricultural products during the summer. She noted that the almond season marks the beginning of these seasons, to be followed soon by the Date Palm Festival, which celebrates various types of dates. She stated that the festival is not limited to showcasing fresh almonds, but also includes processed products and food industries based on almonds, which young Bahraini men and women have successfully developed and produced to high quality standards. These initiatives demonstrate the significant potential of entrepreneurs in transforming local agricultural produce into value-added products. Economic Value For her part, Dalal Al-Ghais, CEO of the Bahrain Development Bank Group, affirmed the bank's pride in its partnership with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, alongside its private sector partners: Amaken Company, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, Kuwait Finance House, and GPIC, in supporting the agricultural sector and Bahraini farmers. She explained that almonds are a local product with a wide presence, not only within Bahrain but also across the GCC countries, due to their connection to Bahraini heritage. She emphasized that the festival reflects the importance of the agricultural sector and agricultural sustainability in the Kingdom, and highlights the Bahraini farmer's ability to produce high-quality almonds. She added that the continued organization of such festivals contributes to enhancing the presence of Bahraini products and opens opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs to develop new products that generate added economic value. Notable Products During its tour of the festival, Al Bilad observed a diverse range of products on display. Participants presented various types of fresh almonds, along with innovative food products. The stands attracted numerous visitors eager to discover the new flavors developed specifically for the festival. Among the most striking innovations was "Almond and Beetroot Ma'booj," which combined sweetness with a mild tang. Visitors appreciated its versatility, noting its suitability for rice, grilled meats, hummus, and even snacks like potato chips. The "Qoot" project, specializing in dried fruits, also introduced a new product for the first time at the festival: a combination of almonds and honey. This was in addition to their usual selection of natural dried fruits free of any additives, as well as varieties blended with honey, aiming to offer new options for lovers of natural products. The project owner explained that the new product was developed specifically for the Almond Festival, expressing her hope that it would appeal to visitors and be a valuable addition to the season. During the tour, visitors also learned about the uses of dried almonds. One participant explained that the dried almonds are known locally as "Anqish," and are then cracked open to extract the almonds, which are subsequently used in the production of sweets, nuts, and a number of other food products. Farmer Abu Karim confirmed that this year's almond season is witnessing a high demand for various varieties, both premium and generic. He noted that Bahraini and Gulf consumers pay special attention to Bahraini almonds due to their distinctive flavor and quality. He pointed out that farmers are continuing to work on developing production and introducing new varieties, emphasizing that each variety possesses unique characteristics. Types of Almonds At one of the festival's corners, farmer Abu Younis showcased the varieties he was showcasing this year, explaining that they include three main types: yellow almonds ("Habban"), red almonds, and sour red almonds. He noted that yellow almonds are distinguished by their sweet taste and large fruit size, while other varieties offer different flavors to suit consumer tastes. He emphasized that the turnout on the first day of the festival was excellent and exceeded expectations, reflecting the great popularity of the almond season among Bahraini families and visitors to the Kingdom. The festival also witnessed wide participation from productive families and entrepreneurs who presented a variety of almond-derived products, including foods, appetizers, sweets, and innovative products developed specifically for the occasio...