Let's break the trend of rural exodus!

 

Field trip with Sofil Catering in Deir El Ahmar

 

On February 15th 2016, executives, chefs and staff members from Sofil Catering joined Fair Trade Lebanon for a visit to Deir El Ahmar.

The first stop of the day was at a food processing and production cooperative. It specializes in mouneh products using local recipes and savoir-faire.

The visitors tasted one of their iconic specialties: green beans makdouss.

Our next stop was at the Heliopolis Cooperative specialized in wine making. The grapes produced by the cooperative are the only grapes in Lebanon certified Organic and Fairtrade. Our visit there ended with some exquisite wine tasting.

Our last stop was at a catering specialized cooperative; its members not only cater for nearby events but also offer cooking lessons.

The day ended with a traditional and delicious lunch highlighting the specialties of Deir El Ahmar!

10 great reasons to use Orange Blossom Water!

Clear, perfumed, orange blossom water, is actually a by-product of the distillation process that creates the essential oil, from bitter-orange blossoms.
The flower water has been used for centuries in cooking and as a beauty product; it was especially favored by the French nobility, including Marie-Antoinette.

Today, it is widely available and here are ten uses and benefits of orange blossom water:

 1. Use it as a skin toner
Orange blossom water is excellent for the skin and is so gentle that it is a common ingredient in baby products in France. Use it to replace your usual toner, but be sure to buy the pure, natural distillations of the water.
Good to Know: Terroirs du Liban Orange Blossom Water is made exclusively from the natural and artisanal distillation of orange blossoms.


2. Create a soothing, relaxing orange blossom water bath
If you mix 3-5 cups of warm milk with half a cup of Orange blossom water and a couple of tablespoons of honey, and add the mixture to your bath, you will get a soothing and fragrant bath that will do wonders for your skin.

3. Make a traditional hand freshener
You can make with orange blossom water a great smelling hand cleanser for your guests after dinner, especially, if you’ve served finger food.

4. Use it as an air freshener
Rather than filling your home with the scent of artificial products from a commercial air freshener, why not fill it with the natural scent of flowers? Pour one or a few teaspoons of orange blossom water in a bowl of boiling water and let the delicate orange perfume fill your home.


5. Use it in your bedroom to help you sleep
As well as smelling fresh, orange blossom water is also well known for its calming and comforting effects. Sprinkle some on your bed sheets and the scent will help you to gently drift off to sleep. It can stain some fabrics though, so try a little on a corner of the sheet first, to be safe.


6. Add it to water as a drink
For a subtly flavored and slightly sweetened refreshing drink, try adding ½ teaspoon of orange blossom water to a glass of cold water.
For a soothing hot drink: add ½ teaspoon of orange blossom water to a mug of hot water…enjoy and relax!

7. Use in salad dressings
Orange blossom water is often used in salad dressings (Moroccan recipes rely a lot on orange blossom water). Try making your own with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a tablespoon of lime juice or vinegar and ½ teaspoon of orange blossom water and a little pepper and salt.  It’s a beautiful way to dress green salads.

8. Use it to settle an upset stomach
In the Middle East, orange blossom water is given to children to treat upset stomachs, wind and indigestion. Be warned though, taken neat, the flavor is an acquired one! Tip: Dilute in water for a softer taste.

9. Use it in your steam iron
Add just a drop or two to the water in your steam iron and it will leave all your clothes with a long lasting blossoms scent.


10. Use with deserts
Orange blossom water is widely used to delicately flavor and fragrance deserts. It is especially good, when used in chocolate sauces, chocolate desserts, ice-creams and puddings; but make sure to use it very carefully. Any more than half a teaspoon will be too much.

Terroirs du Liban Orange Blossom Water is available in many local stores, find the entire list of shops here.

Information source: www.beautyandtips.com

Always choose Love...Happy Valentine's Day!

Liban : soutenir les populations fragilisées par la crise syrienne

Découvrez le travail que réalise Fair Trade Lebanon dans le cadre du projet «Facilité Syrie-Liban» financé par l'AFD.

"Environ 3 millions de Syriens se sont réfugiés dans les pays voisins depuis le début du conflit. L’AFD a mis en place un financement ONG pour aider les réfugiés et les populations hôtes."
Illustration au Liban. ©AFD, 2015