Holiday Gift Guide - Flavors of the Middle East

A little help finding the proper gift for those special in your life.

This time of year I begin to panic a little. For me, the last two months of the year are like a jar of cookies guarded by a couple of children. Gone, consumed, devoured while you weren't paying attention. Ack, where has the time gone?

My level of stress and related blood pressure, especially in the month of December, do not benefit by the difficult task of finding gifts to gift. Which gifts to gift, is not a gift to my health. Fortunately for you, I hope to be of benefit to those looking for a gift with, flavors of the Middle East.

Food

1. My first recommendation is an easy one: Patchi Chocolate.

I became a huge fan of Patchi Chocolate last year. My favorite Patchi store was the one down the street in Khalidiya - staff was always friendly and helpful. And the chocolate, always delectable, premium quality with flavors unlike any other chocolate. When we returned to the States, I went through Patchi withdrawls - no other chocolate satisfies my cravings like Patchi. Luckily, I found Patchi on Amazon.com - hurray. I have now purchased Patchi several times from Amazon and remain a happy, tastily satisifed customer. Photos and links will take you to amazon.com so you can give the gift of Patchi. What a great gift idea.


Patchi Milk & Dark Chocolate Variety Box - The Signature Collection
At $20, this is a sure thing when gifting chocolate to your special chocolate lover. It's a 1/2 pound mix of dark and milk chocolate and a great introduction to the goodness of Patchi chocolate.


Patchi Chocolate Love Collection - Love Duo - 2 Piece Box
If you are looking for a great stocking stuffer, then this 2 piece box of Patchi chocolate will fit perfectly in any stocking. Caution: you will be asked to provide more Patchi after they devour these two delectable morsels.


The Love Ballotin (2 Pounds)

If you are gifting someone who is already a huge Patchi chocolate fan, then this is the box for you. This is a 2 pound box with a tantalizing array of milk and dark Patchi chocolate. Put this one on my wish list.

2. My second recomendation is: Gunpowder Tea.

Gunpowder Tea is a form of green Chinese tea in which each leaf has been rolled into a small round pellet. It is believed to take its English name from the fact that the tea resembles blackpowder grains. The flavor of brewed gunpowder tea is often described as thick and strong like a soft honey, but with a smokey flavor and an aftertaste that is slightly coppery. This type of tea is often seen as having a flavor that is somewhat grassy, minty, or peppery. Yes, I became a fan of Gunpowder tea last year. I was able to find two brands of Gun Powder Tea on Amazon.com. That's a good thing, because I'm almost out of tea.


Twinings Green Gunpowder Tea, Loose Tea, 3.53-Ounce Tins (Pack of 6)
At $27.09 this kit includes 6 tins of loose tea. That means you can gift six of your favorite tea lovers. Put me on the list too.


Davidson's Tea Bulk, Gunpowder Green, 16-Ounce Bag
At $12.50 this bag of Gunpowder Tea should keep your gift recipient well satisfied for a long time.
 
3. My third food recomendation is: Medjool Dates.
 
Dates are everywhere in the Middle East. They are important as a food, but also very important culturally. Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around the Persian Gulf, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt. The fruit is very important in the Arabian and North African Countries because the date palm tree grows well in the dry desert heat. In the past dates took a very important role for certain desert regions as the staple food crop.  It was comparable to rice, wheat, and potatoes in other cultures. Dates are traditionally offered to guests, along with tea, and are the first food eaten when breaking fast during Ramadan.
 
While I can't find the Emirati Dates I grew to love in Abu Dhabi, I did find these Medjool Dates.

United With Earth Organic Medjool Dates, 16-Ounce Containers (Pack of 4)

Priced at $23.08 this pack contains four 16oz containters. You could gift three friends and keep a pack for yourself. That's win, win in my book.


Jumbo Medjool Dates (1 Pound Bag) - No Sugar Added
At $7.25 for a 1 pound bag of Medjool Dates, this is a great gift at a great price. Read the review on the product page description if you are not yet convinced.

4. My last food related recomendation: Vimto.

Not familiar with Vimto? I wasn't either until last year. You'll find this beverage everywhere in the Middle East and in the UK. I picked up a bottle on impulse at the Hypermarket last year - a big fan ever since. If you need to satisfy someones Vimto craving, here's a link to the product and a Vimto commercial (yes it's funny - Vimto is huge in the Middle East).

Vimto Black Currant Drink 700ml (Pack of 2 Bottles)


Video: Who will get the last Vimto?


Books

Here are some book recomendations, I enjoyed these titles and believe they will make excellent gifts too.

1. Books by Tahir Shah.

My wife purchased me a book by Tahir Shah, "In Arabian Nights." This book is a tale about Moroccan story tellers, and the author’s quest to define his life by finding a story of his own. This book is a good read, one you enjoy slowly, savoring the colors, and flavors of Morocco and the stories nestled within stories. He's an excellent and humorous teller of tales. Recommended.


In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams

Tahir Shah has written other books too, here's a list in case your friend already owns In Arabian Nights.


The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca



Sorcerer's Apprentice


In Search of King Solomon's Mines

2. My last book suggestion is: Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times.

My time in Abu Dhabi was not all swimming, Shisha, cafes and business dinners. While living in Abu Dhabi, I found this book at Al Wahda Mall. The book, "Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times" written by Margaret Nydell, is what I consider essential reading.

Ms. Nydell writes very well. I found her book absorbing and difficult to put down. It became dog-eared quickly. For any expatriate living in an Arab country the subject of Arab culture and mores, is obviously relevant. That being stated, in today’s world of global tension, wars in the Middle East and a variety of voices, on both sides of the fence demanding attention – this book is more than relevant to anyone lacking an understanding of what it means to be an Arab and what it means to be a Muslim. I strongly recommend this book to anyone moving to the Middle East and to everyone in the States. Actually, I recommend this book to anyone reading this post.

Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times

* If this list did not satisfy you in your gift giving pursuits, then my final recomendation is a Website. I have not personally shopped on this site, but it is the only site I've found which seems to fit the bill when looking for all things Arabian (including Bahkoor, Arab perfumes/oils and incense burners) www.arabianbazaar.com/

M'a sa-laama-a (go with peace).

For a Friend Visiting Abu Dhabi

A friend from Church will soon be visiting Abu Dhabi for a week. Here's the information I sent him regarding eating out. I'm sure there's something I forgot.



Restaurants

Here's a list of restaurants I know in Abu Dhabi. Which to visit really depends on where you are staying. Check out TimeOut Abu Dhabi for suggetions. Also, when you visit one of the many malls, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Khalidiaya Mall, Al Wahda Mall, etc. look for a free copy of Abu Dhabi Week, they are usually posted near the entrances.

• At Marina Mall, eat at Hatam-Iranian Restaurant, 2nd Floor #332, great food, appetizer was a meal in itself.
• At Al Wahda Mall, Beirut Restaurant, 2nd Floor Food Court Area, be ready to stand in line.
• Lebanese Flower off of Defense Road (popular, locals should know where it is).
• Chamas Brazilian Restaurant: Intercontinental Hotel. Expensive, but great if you want to eat a lot of meat.
• Tche Tche Cafe: Corniche Towers, popular with Arabs, smoky from shisha, great iced smoothies, excellent hamburgers.
• Al Safadi, our favorite place for shawarmas: Zayed The First Street, Khalidiyah. Yummy.
• Indigo, Indian Restaurant: Butter Chicken and Buttered Naan! Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area. Very Expensive.

You must try the Hamour when you eat out. It's a firm white fish and very popular. For breakfast and lunch try the "Arab Breakfast" it usually consists of Foul (my favorite) Arab cheese or Labneh, olives, cucumber, tomatoe and sometimes falafel.

Oh, and don't forget to sample the Patchi Chocolate! We're big fans, luckily amazon.com sells it here, but you should buy some there.

TimeOut Abu Dhabi has a decent restaurant guide - http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/

You can also read my blog for ideas: http://expatwilliam.blogspot.com/

Perfume/Bakhoor

If you are interested in buying perfume for yourself I'd suggest Ajmal Eternal. If you're buying for your wife the same, and also Yaz and Samdi Al Qurashi (but it will be more awkward). Perfumeries are in the malls and in different neighborhoods. You can also buy perfume at Swiss Arabian in the malls (they have good prices and also sell Bahkoor which is Arab incense).

Rules

I'm sure you know the rules: don't stare at locals, don't take pictures of people without asking, don't use your left hand to eat with, don't show the soles of your shoes, and DON'T take the GOLD taxis. Take the Silver taxis or have the hotel get you a driver.

Enjoy the heat! Wish I was going too.

What's That Smell?

My Collection of Bahkoor/Bakhoor/Bukhoor

In the above photo, you can see various boxes of bahkoor I purchased in Abu Dhabi, some charcoal and a couple of traditional incense burners, all resting on the rug we bought from the local rug merchant (Corniche Towers across from La Brioche cafe - recommended).

Also Called Incense
Bahkoor/bakhoor/bukhoor, also called incense, is widely used in the Arab world – with scorching desert temperatures and sweating bodies covered by layers of clothing, bahkoor/bakhoor/bukhoor is as much luxury as social necessity. Incense plays an important role in Arab life, one I've grown to appreciate.

While living in Abu Dhabi, I found my sense of smell constantly stimulated by aromas of bahkoor, Arab perfumes and shisha. My head was often turned by a group of Emirati women, walking past wrapped in the exotic aroma of Bahkoor (always careful not to stare at them).

Composition
Typically composed of woodchips (Oudh the Arabic name for Agarwood/Aloeswood) and soaked in fragrant oils and mixed with other natural ingredients (resin, ambergris, musk, sandalwood, essential oils). These scented chips/bricks are burned in charcoal or incense burners to perfume the house and clothing with the rich, fragrant smoke.

Incense burner, charcoal and Swiss Arabian Bait al Arab bahkoor

Bakhoor is usually burned in a traditional incense burner called Mabkhara (also called a Majmor), using charcoal of wood or manufactured charcoal discs/briquettes - which I use.

Traditional Uses
Traditional uses of Bahkoor include: to perfume the house, for special occasions like weddings, for a romantic atmosphere in the bedroom, as a gesture of hospitality, and it's used to "boost positive energy" and "dismiss bad spirits". You'll also find it/smell it in commercial shops, stores and in the malls where it's used to attract customers. It's also used after cooking or smoking to quickly discard unpleasant smells.

I've grown to appreciate Bahkoor and its many varieties. I hope you have the opportunity to try some at home too.

Buy Your Own
* note: I found some Swiss Arabian Bakhoor for sale at Amazon.com. Found some incense burners/censers too. You'll also need the correct charcoal for this type of incense (the Japanese silver charcoal lights quick and burns clean). I've included linked images below.

Cautions
** note: Let the charcoal burn until it is glowing white before you add the bahkoor. It will smell burnt if you don't. Don't use too much bahkoor. If it's your first time using a metal incense burner/censer, use it on a heat proof surface with good ventilation until you are familiar with it. It will be hot, if you think you might have to move it, have a plan to move it before you light it (test it outside on the pavement if you are concerned).