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

The story behind Fairtrade wine Coteaux les Cèdres

In the North of the Bekaa, the Lebanese state has had a hard job establishing its authority. Not so long ago, fields of poppies and cannabis were still stretched endlessly (on 16 000 ha).
In the year 2000, farmers from 11 villages in the region created the "Heliopolis Cooperative" thanks to the technical support and grants given by the French department of Oise. The goal was to get organized around a legal and lucrative activity to abandon the cultivation of illicit crops, in this case, replace poppy and cannabis with vines of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Caladoc. The Bekaa climatic conditions are ideal for the production of grapes and wine of good quality: an altitude of 900 to 1700 meters, six months of sun and six months of rain. This type of farming also helps preserve water resources since vines do not require irrigation, therefore fights against desertification.

They are today 250 farmers cultivating 240 hectares of vineyards, and have chosen the French method of horizontal alignment to improve the vines productivity. Membership applications are ongoing, and families have returned to farming activities after they had left the area and moved to Beirut in search of better living conditions. The former president of the cooperative states: "We have gained more than just lands, we have gained men".
As per Walid, a young man who used to grow cannabis, he was living in a state of fear and uncertainty. After a period spent in prison, he returned to his region and fully adhered to the cooperative’s project. Enthusiastic and ambitious, he is now carried by his dream of producing a good wine.

Others are living a real therapy. It is the case of Ibrahim, who after a lifetime spent working in the field of industry, including Saudi Arabia, purchased a parcel of land to grow grapes under the guidance of his wine expert daughter.

In addition to seeking to protect young people from drugs and insuring decent incomes to over 430 families in 11 villages, the cooperative promotes conviviality by making Muslims and Christians work together.

Today, Fair Trade Lebanon and Terroirs du Liban buy a part of the grape crops to produce "Coteaux les Cèdres" the first Fairtrade and Organic certified wine in Lebanon and the Middle-East. An exceptional taste, intense and slightly fruity...this wine of a unique character is proudly exported to Europe and Japan!

COTEAUX LES CÈDRES...a wine of taste and hope

 

Your favorite Lebanese Fair Trade wine COTEAUX LES CÈDRES is now available
at boutique Terroirs du Liban (Hazmieh, Hourani Center).
Call us for more information: +961 71 783444

Special offer on "Terroirs du Liban" jams!

Hurry up and benefit from 25% discount on all our jams selection available at boutique "Terroirs du Liban". You may also call us to place your order!
Enjoy this sweet offer!

Bulgur with tomato recipe

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup coarse bulgur “Terroirs du Liban” (washed and drained)
• 2 cups water
• 1 big onion (finely chopped)
• 1kg fresh tomatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil “Terroirs du Liban”
• Salt, pepper (to taste)

Preparation

• Stir-fry onion and garlic in olive oil.
• Add tomatoes and seasonings.
• Keep on low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add bulgur and water to cover the bulgur.
• Bring to boil then keep on low heat until total evaporation.
• Serve hot. 

Bon appetit!

Season's Greetings !

Join us at Mar Mikhael Christmas market

Fair Trade Lebanon is at the Bus Station in Mar Mikhael taking part of the wonderful Christmas market from 10th until 13th of December (5 PM until 10 PM).

Waiting for all of you to join us at the heart of this season's festivities! 

Marche de Noel Solidaire 2015

Like every year, Fair Trade Lebanon will be taking part of the Solidarity Christmas Market organized by the French Institute in Lebanon.

Dates: 9th until 12th December 2015
Time: 10 AM until 7 PM (Wednesday to Friday) and 10 AM until 2 PM (Saturday).

See you there!

2015 Christmas Gifts Selection

Wondering what to get your loved ones for Christmas? What better way than to choose between these festive gourmet baskets filled with Local, Natural and Fair trade products.

Our selection contains 3 prices ranges (75 USD; 119 USD; 159 USD).
The content of these gift baskets may be modified by exchanging products of same value.
Customized corporate gifts are also available upon request (minimum order of 30 pieces).

View all details here.