Ever seen a blossoming almond tree?

above: pic taken in Rachaya (West Bekaa) a couple of days ago.

"A blossoming almond tree" painting by Van Gogh

The Almond is a native to the Mediterranean climate region of the Middle East, eastward as far as Pakistan. It was spread by humans in ancient times along the shores of the Mediterranean into northern Africa and southern Europe and more recently transported to other parts of the world, notably California.

Global production of almonds is around 1.7 million tonnes.

Major producers are the USA (41%), Spain (13%), Syria (7%), Italy (6%), Iran (6%) and Morocco (5%). Algeria, Tunisia and Greece each account for 3%, Turkey, Lebanon and China each account for 2%.

In the United States, production is concentrated in California.

Importing over 94 % of its consumption, India is the largest global and U.S. market for in-shell almonds.

Source: Wikipedia

Valentine's Special and the town of Anfeh

We asked our Facebook members to name a small and cozy Lebanese village to win a Special Valentine's basket with Rose Petal Jam, Rose Syrup, Rose Water!

The winner we chose had named the village of Anfeh, but since she currently lives in France we had the basket delivered to a friend of hers...They both know very well this town, located on the coast of Qaza Al-Koura, in North Lebanon. Anfeh harbors many interesting places like historical ruins, wonderful shore, churches, and beautiful landscapes. (more here)

If you are looking for products made of Roses, view our whole line.

And the poster is out!

Marketing campaign will be launched in AUB starting Monday the 1st of March.
Poster, teaser, flyer are all designed by Zeina Koreitem, AUB architecture student and member of the Human Rights and Peace Club.
Thank you loads!

Your presence means to us

Join the event on Facebook.

Preparation for conference in AUB

We're on fire! Between choosing clubs, societies and professors to invite, preparing the posters, flyers and invitation texts...we are trying to set things right for the upcoming conference in the American University of Beirut around the theme of Fair Trade: Opportunities and Challenges.
It will be hosted by the Human Rights and Peace Club in collaboration with Fair Trade Lebanon. Much thanks to Fouad, Zeina and Hala for their effort and efficiency!

Conference will take place on the 10th of March at 5:30 pm, in Auditorium A, West Hall.

If only the young were trees by Mahmoud Darwish

"The tree is sister to the tree, or its good neighbor. The big one is kind to the little one, giving it the shade it needs. The tall one is kind to the short one, sending it a bird to keep it company at night. No tree attacks the fruit of another tree, and if one tree is barren the other does not make fun of it. A tree does not attack another tree and does not imitate a woodcutter.
When a tree becomes a boat it learns to swim. When it becomes a door it continues to keep secrets. When it becomes a chair it does not forget the sky that was once above it. When it becomes a table it teaches the poet not to be a woodcutter.
The tree is forgiveness and vigilance. It neither sleeps nor dreams, but is entrusted with the secrets of the dreamers, standing guard night and day, showing respect to passers-by and to the heavens."

-Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008), A river dies of thirst (Diaries), 2009, www.saqibooks.com.

Make trade fair

"Rich countries subsidize their farmers by $1 billion a day and export their surplus crops to poor countries which makes this harvest virtually worthless" (one of Oxfam fair trade clips).

Our brand and more...

Terroirs du Liban is more than a label, it is a vision...

It is about people who everyday choose to view Lebanon not with its many obstacles but with its natural beauty.

Terroirs du Liban is as simple as Lebanon; it is not too big, not too small, it stands out in its modern look and tastefully imbibes the mediterranean feel and warmth.
To be consumed with no moderation!

Fair Trade Video

1:52 minutes and straight to the point.

Discovering the streets of Tripoli

El Mina - The Port

Visiting the Sunday Market

Pic below : Hot bread, right out of the wooden oven is delicious with summac!

Tripoli or طرابلس is a city located 85 km north of the capital Beirut;

In ancient times, it was the center of a Phoenician confederation which included Tyre, Sidon and Arados, hence the name Tripoli, meaning "triple city" in Greek. Later, it was controlled successively by the Assyrian Empire, Persian Empire, Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Caliphate, the Seljuk Empire, Crusader States, the Mamluks, and the Ottoman Empire. The Crusaders established the County of Tripoli there in the twelfth century.

Tripoli is today the second-largest city and second-largest port in Lebanon with approximately 500,000 inhabitants.(thanks Wikipedia)

It is definitely worth the visit...If you happen to go there, pass by Al-Hallab restaurant specialized in oriental sweets and confectionery, and taste their "Halawet el Jibn". A delicious cheese paste..dipped in syrup. Oh yum!

Warm up with a great soup!

Recipe for a delicious lentil soup:

• Fry a thinly diced onion.
• Once golden brown, add salt, cumin and the lentils along with 2 to 3 litters of water.
• Heat until obtaining a thick yellow soup.
• Serve with croutons and lemon juice.

Bon Appétit!!

Buy Lentils here (in France and Europe)
Or here in Lebanon

Patience...

Somewhere between Syria and Lebanon

Pics taken in the roads of Damascus

A Syrian proverb says : الصبر مفتاح الفرج*

Our one-day road trip to Syria was phenomenal, filled with encounters, adventures, snow and blocked roads!!
On our way back to Lebanon, our grumpy driver was about to U-turn and go back to Damascus because of the terrible weather.
We managed to convince him to drop us at least a couple of miles after the Lebanese border; Frustrated, he babbled a couple of words but kept driving.
We then got to Lebanon and realized the army had blocked the main road from the Bekaa to Beirut (meaning the fastest and safest way to go home was no longer a possibility).
At that point, the cab driver had definitely given up on us!!
But fortunately enough, Jack, our colleague in FTL and our savior, was able to meet us all the way to the West of Lebanon and we headed South together towards the village of Jezzine in order to go up again to Beirut!
All in all, instead of arriving at 6 pm as programmed, we arrived at 10, exhausted but joyful and relieved!
We were patient and it paid off.

It was day appreciated in every second and every mile.


الصبر مفتاح الفرج Patience is the key to relief *

Fair Trade Lebanon in Damascus

Syria, Damascus, on the 4th of Feb: Fair Trade Lebanon presents its experience in E-Services and E-Marketing in a conference coordinated between the Syrian Telecommunication Establishment and the UNDP (Reef net program).

Market a product in an ocean of challenges..

Fair Trade Lebanon works with 12 partner cooperatives and 250 independent producers; the NGO has identified in each one of them a unique regional product. The team later launches discussions with its historic French importer Artisanat SEL in order to evaluate the demand and the potential of foreign markets.

So far, Artisanat SEL has been placing yearly orders (of around one or two containers per year) which have been keeping FTL going. Today, you may come across the products in France and Europe (view Artisanat SEL food catalogue), but also in Canada, in Montreal (Kif Kif store and other selective outlets) and soon in Edmonton.