(MENAFN- The Peninsula) joelyn baluyut |
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The 8th Souq Waqif Local Dates Festival, a delightful celebration of the region's cherished fruit, is captivating visitors with its diverse range of date-based delicacies. The festival, which runs until Saturday, August 5, not only offers a vast array of fresh dates but also showcases an assortment of date-produced products like biscuits, cakes, jam, tarts, smoothies, and ice cream, among others.
One of the prominent participants at the festival is Cake Al Taybeen, a renowned bakery offering an exquisite selection of date-infused pastries and cakes.
The owner, Iman Salah, highlighted the health benefits of dates, as they are rich in antioxidants and may help reduce the risk of cancer. She also told The Peninsula that using dates in their creations eliminates the need for added sugar, as the natural sweetness of the fruit suffices.
Visitors to Cake Al Taybeen have been raving about their mouthwatering treats, including biscuits, cupcakes, cakes, pickles, and tarts, with prices starting from QR10. The festival provides a valuable platform for the bakery to showcase its thoughtfully crafted date products and educate customers about the tropical fruit's numerous advantages, explained Salah.
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For those seeking a refreshing drink, a date smoothie awaits at the festival, along with a delightful date ice cream from Memo's Factory.
This 100% Qatari product has gained popularity since its establishment in 2008 due to its all-natural and sugar-free composition. Satisfied customers, like Esteban from Colombia, have praised the ice cream for its delightful taste, making it a perfect treat for the summer season.
The festival has seen tremendous success, with Souq Waqif management reporting a staggering 41,225 kilograms of dates sold on the fourth and fifth days alone, contributing to a total of 104,291 kilograms sold since the festival's opening on July 27.
Over 103 local farms are participating in this year's event, offering an array of date varieties to choose from. Prices of dates range from QR6 per kilo, with the popular Khalas date priced at QR10, Khinaizi at QR8, and Nabth Saif, Lou Lou, Raziz, Gor, and others at QR6 per kilo.
To accommodate eager visitors, the festival operates from 3:30pm to 9:30pm every day, except for Fridays when it extends its hours until 10pm.