المملكة: “Wild Ghee” is one of the pillars of food security in the northern border

The “wild ghee” in the northern border region represents an ancient legacy that stores the history of the place, and the spirit of the Bedouin man, which has been associated with animals and pastures since ancient times, and the “ghee” industry occupies a special place and a prominent presence in popular markets, and social occasions, maintaining its high value that distinguishes it from others.
Its industry begins with the milk of sheep that the region abounds in, as the northern border embraces more than 7 million heads of livestock, and is considered one of the richest regions of the Kingdom in livestock, to be one of the basic pillars of national food security.
The quality of the “ghee” lies in the nature of the pastures on which livestock feeds, especially with the region’s distinction with its moderate desert atmosphere, as the Earth is in the spring seasons with wild plants such as: Qaisum, Al -Shehh, and Al -Ramath, and make it an appropriate environment for raising sheep, camels and goats, which gives milk a distinctive flavor that reflects on the taste of “ghee”, its color and its smell.

Wild ghee industry steps

The moment of Aleppo (fresh milk) is the first beginnings of the “wild ghee” and after that it runs manually in traditional leather vessels known as “samal” until the fluids turn into pure butter, then cook quietly over low heat inside copper pots until the fat is separated from the rest of the ingredients, to turn into a golden ghee that smells of originality.
In some cases, wild herbs are added to enhance flavor and ensure preservation, before it is filled with skin proximity or modern glassware that meets the needs of the market.

According to the accounts of the elderly, “ghee” was not only a food, but was part of the culture of barter in the past, and with the passage of time “ghee” remained present within the hospitality table, served next to the Saudi dates and coffee, and enters into the preparation of a number of popular dishes such as: Al -Jarish and Al -Maraquq, to remain a symbol of the generosity that the people of the North are famous for.

Increased demand for holidays and winter

The demand for “wild ghee” increases, especially in the seasons of holidays and winter, and is sold in different sizes and varying prices, as it was devoted to it in the popular market in the city of Arar an area to offer, and it is based on selling it elderly with inherited and established skill, and historically embracing the city of Arar, the oldest market for selling ghee and is known as the “ghee market”, which was not free of selling it.
It was named by this name due to the abundance of “ghee” about 70 years ago, and despite the change of the activity of these “shops” to other activities, he still maintains his name among the people of the region.