Sweet treats from the east

Omani chocolatiers are ready to take their preservation of country's heritage and culture to the next level, the world.

Friday the 13th is most commonly associated with spooky traditions and stories of misfortune and gore; however, it also is famous for another significant product - chocolate, as it is the International Day of Chocolate. Let's place the spotlight on Oman and its very first chocolatiers.

Presenting, preserving and promoting Oman's heritage and culture through its sweets are the key aims behind Salma's Chocolates. Run by Oman's first chocolatiers Salma and Aisha al Hajri, they aim to grow their business from a two-person start-up into a successful Omani brand. The pair make all the chocolates by hand and source most of their ingredients locally in order to give their sweets an authentic Omani taste.

From zaatar (thyme) truffles and ginger chocolates to more modern mint and cheesecake creations, the principle of the company is to take traditional Omani desserts, give them a modern chocolate twist and present the taste of the Sultanate to Omanis and foreigners alike, according to Salma al Hajri.

Aisha adds that preservation of traditional sweets is a way of keeping the Omani heritage and culture alive, by reintroducing the old sweets to the new generation. She said, "The new generation did not know about the old sweets. Slowly traditional Omani sweets started to vanish. We use these traditional sweets in our chocolates, so when we introduce those sweets again with the chocolate, it is like they are reborn."

The old sweets used in the company's chocolates include a milk and cardamom dessert known as mahoo and a sweet coconut dish called halwa narjeel as well as date and halwa concoctions.

Although the company's Belgian chocolate is currently being imported from a European supplier, Salma added that the company is still in 'the stage where we are trying to build the supply chain' for all its local ingredients.

Salma's Chocolates is located at Alazaiba next to Um Al Qra mosque in Muscat, Oman. Store hours are Saturday - Thursday, 9am - 10pm. Distribution to Australia is being discussed at the moment.

For more information regarding the Sultanate of Oman....

Video links: Salma's Chocolates and CNN Report.

Add comment

Www.Foodandtravel.Com.Au - Australia

Best Food Travel Website 2021

foodandtravel.com.au has been awarded

Best Antipodean Culinary Travel Expert, 2019

by the prestigious UK-based magazine...

Ready for a taste treat?

Embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure through the vibrant tapestry of Malaysia.

Led by the charismatic Malaysian ex-pat Chef Wanitha Tanasingam, this intimate journey promises to tantalize your taste buds and ignite your senses, sending you home with memories to last a lifetime.

Find out more....

The flipside of travel...

How not all of it is joyous.