Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Traditions Upheld: Featured In Unesco’s Breads Of The Creative Cities
Three varieties of Saudi breads have been featured in the 2024 edition of Breads of the Creative Cities
Breads of the Creative Cities has featured three varieties of Saudi breads in its 2024 edition, an initiative which highlights gastronomic traditions among Unesco Creative Cities Network. The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, celebrated the inclusion of Kleija from Buraydah, Al-Khubz Al-Ahmar from AlAhsa and Al-Mallah Bread from Taif. The breads represent Saudi cities which are part of the Unesco Creative Cities Network.
The Breads of the Creative Cities project started in 2018 with a simple idea: to celebrate the cultural heritage of bread. Every year, bakers, farmers and millers from all around the world share their stories and recipes of how they recreate their city’s traditional bread.
The project is closely aligned with the objectives of the Unesco Creative Cities Network which was established in 2004. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network comprises of 350 cities across over 105 countries, all recognised for their initiatives in using cultural heritage and creativity to foster sustainable development in one of seven clusters including gastronomy, crafts and folk art, design, film, literature, media arts, and music.
Three Saudi breads were selected based on specific criteria including the use of local flour and their cultural importance within their respective communities. Kleija is a traditional biscuit made with date molasses from the Qassim region – more specifically Buraydah. Its origins can be traced back over a century, with the sweet treat embedded in the region’s traditions and customs.
Al-Khubz Al-Ahmar, known as red bread or date bread, is a traditional bread that is a significant cultural and economic symbol for the region, with its ingredients grown exclusively in the local area of Al-Ahsa in the Eastern Province. The origins of Al-Mallah Bread from Taif are linked to nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. The bread is served as a symbol of hospitality due to its distinct and laborious preparation which starts late in the afternoon and continues through the night and until dawn.
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