Saudi biodiversity on stage at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto

Saudi Culinary Arts Commission (CAC) will showcase the great national food biodiversity with a dedicated space at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, Slow Food flagship event which will take place in Torino (The Italian Republic) from September 26 to 30. The Culinary Arts Commission (CAC) plays a crucial role in advancing the culinary arts field in Saudi Arabia, fostering growth and innovation in the sector while supporting local talent and culinary traditions— as exhibited in most of their events that always aim to encourage discovering and tasting heritage foods from each of the 13 regions.

Visitors will have the opportunity to dive into Saudi culture and gastronomy, learn more about the projects that Slow Food and CAC are advancing to preserve biodiversity and enhance culinary traditions, and taste local products and recipes.. Here you can check the full program.

Welcome with coffee and dates

The coffee culture in Saudi Arabia is unlike any other. Always paired with locally grown dates, the cardamom-infused coffee is a symbol of hospitality and generosity. The coffee is made with lightly roasted coffee beans, mixed with good-quality cardamom pods, and sometimes other aromatic spices to create a unique flavor. Each household has its preferred ratio of coffee to spices, making each recipe distinct. However, the one thing they all share is the tradition of offering a cup of coffee to every guest as soon as they are seated. As for dates, Saudi Arabia is ranked as one of the top three countries in date production, offering a wide variety.

Slow Food and CAC projects in Saudi Arabia

Among the ongoing projects in the country, the area will showcase activities related to the Ark of Taste Saudi Arabia, which focuses on preserving food products now endangered. The products range from different camel breeds to rare truffles to unique varieties of common fruits such as the Raida Bananas.

The Slow Food Coffee Coalition area will highlight Saudi Arabia’s coffee production that is concentrated in four regions: Aseer, Jazan, Al-Baha, and Najran. Local producers are working to improve quality and sustainability, focusing on locally grown coffee and raising consumer awareness.

The Slow Food Travel program, already implemented in certain areas such as in Al-Madinah and Asir regions, provides regions with the opportunity to develop sustainable food tourism destinations, while enabling artisan food producers to benefit from tourism by preserving local food traditions and biodiversity.