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Maftoul-Zaytoun

ZAYTOUN'S MAFTOUL

08/07/2020

We’re working with the wonderful social enterprise Zaytoun on their #ThisIsNotCousCous campaign, a project that celebrates Maftoul - the hand rolled, whole-wheat grain that is unique to Palestine.


A Great Taste Award winner, Zaytoun’s organic maftoul is hand-rolled by women in co-operatives who get together just after the harvest to crack, hand-roll and dry the wheat in the abundant Palestinian sunshine, just as their grandmothers have done for generations. Maftoul is an Arabic word derived from the root “fa-ta-la” which means to roll or to twist.


The ‘bite’ and nutty, earthy flavour of the maftoul pearls make it a delicious alternative to other grains either as a main dish or a hearty accompaniment.


Bassema Barahmeh, a coordinator at Anza villange women’s cooperative, south-west of Jenin, spoke of her pride in her work:

As a Palestinian woman, I transfer these traditions to the next generation of women in order to preserve Palestinian culture and connect them with their heritage, and also to offer them the chance to be future leaders in the community”.


This communal activity of cracking and rolling the wheat with flour and water to create the larger ‘pearls’ is a skilled art and therefore traditionally reserved for wedding banquets and special family feasts. These days, however, maftoul is used as a versatile grain that is delicious in risottos, pilafs and salads.


For more information, get in touch with l.brown@gemmabellandcompany.com

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