The adoption of “Jareesh” and “Al-Maqshoush” as Saudi dishes.. What are the details?

The Culinary Arts Authority in Saudi Arabia has launched the “National Dishes Narratives and Regional Dishes” initiative, which is a national initiative through which it seeks to assume responsibility for listing and classifying famous local dishes that are closely related to the Saudi identity in all regions of the Kingdom.

Coinciding with the launch of this initiative, the authority adopted “Juraish” as the national dish of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and “Al-Maqshoush” as the Saudi national dessert, out of pride and celebration of these two meals that express the originality and uniqueness of Saudi cuisine.

The initiative represents a part of the Culinary Arts Authority’s efforts to achieve the goals of the Ministry of Culture in the project to advance the Saudi cultural sector, which are in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in its cultural, social and development aspects.

Investing in the symbolic value of the selected Saudi dishes is one of the goals of the initiative, which extends to the thirteen regions of the Kingdom, during which dishes related to the Saudi cultural identity were identified, with the aim of celebrating them, documenting their recipes, and exporting them through competitive programs and incentives to invest in the components of the Saudi dish.

Why the jareesh dish?

The choice of “Jareesh” stemmed from its being an essential dish in Saudi society, and it is called “the master of dishes”, and it has spread throughout the Kingdom since ancient times. The coarse mill that grinds the grain.

scrambled plate

While the “Maqshoosh” meal is one of the dishes that is widely spread in parts of the Kingdom, and it had a historical mention during the period (1238 – 1309 AH / 1823 – 1891 AD), where it was mentioned that it is one of the traditional and beloved foods in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, and it consists of small loaves of Wheat flour that is strawed from the sheet, and ghee is added with honey, molasses, or sugar, and it is usually served at any time with coffee or tea, and it is also often served as breakfast, in addition to its association with cold weather and rain.

symbolic value

The “National Dishes and Regional Dishes” initiative seeks to invest in the symbolic value of the “Juraish” and “Maqshoush” dishes, introduce them regionally and internationally, and support them locally through many activities, events, competitions and workshops targeting all segments of society, in addition to presenting the “national dish” in All outlets that receive visitors to the Kingdom, with the associated growth of the economic return of the fields related to these two dishes, whether in preparation, preparation and presentation, or investing in their components, or developing the workforce in the industries related to them, in the context of the authority’s efforts to enhance the presence and development of Saudi cuisine And raising the level of its cultural and economic influence inside and outside the Kingdom.

The selection of the dishes “Jareesh” and “Al-Maqshoush” was subject to precise criteria, including the level of the dish’s presence in heritage and culture, its local character, economic opportunities, exclusivity, ease of preparation, in addition to its wide geographical spread and high local attractiveness. They were approved and selected according to the stages of study and evaluation by specialized committees and in partnership with all relevant authorities, particularly the regions’ emirates.

In addition to officially approving the “Juraish” and “Al-Maqshoush” dishes, the Culinary Arts Authority will continue to work through the “National Dishes and Regional Dishes” initiative to study the dishes of each region of the Kingdom separately, in coordination with the regions’ emirates and specialists in each region. With the aim of selecting one national dish for each region, and according to criteria that ensure that the chosen dish accurately expresses the identity, heritage and culture of the region.