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Sorrel plants add flavour to local cuisine

The plant is often found amid wild bushes in the foot of mountains. With oval-shaped juicy leaves which have a slight sour taste, it is a much sought-after plant especially for those who have acquired a taste for it. Sorrel is a seasonal, slender plant which grows to 30cm in height and has a soft stem.

In the UAE, the plant is found in Ras Al Khaimah, Masafi-Diba road, Hatta and Al Ain.

Local people add the leaves to their diet; they either eat it directly after soaking it in water for some time, or add it to a salad. The soft leaves and stems also goes well with grilled fish.

Sorrel is good for health and helps prevent nausea. However, too much of it is not good as it contains certain salts.

“Every year after the rains I keep searching for sorrel,” said Ahmed Al Harbi, a UAE citizen.

Most of Emiratis like the plant, and get it from the wild, but they need to look for it, he said. “I know where I can find it, at Al Hilaiou neighbourhood in Ajman,” he said.

Al Harbi soaks the leaves in water to remove all the dirt and then eats them raw or add them to salads.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE