The taste of the nation

Celebrate the UAE National Day with Barakat’s exclusive new Ghaf range, derived from the national tree

In honour of the UAE National Day, Barakat — the home-grown fresh juice brand in the UAE — has introduced its all-new Ghaf range, which includes the Ghaf smoothie and the Ghaf shot.

Celebrating the spirit of innovation led by the youth in the UAE, Barakat has recently introduced the Ghaf range, featuring the indigenously produced hero ingredient, Ghaf leaves extract. This range includes a smoothie made with all-natural, local ingredients like Ghaf leaves and a shot made with Ghaf leaves and green apple juice.

The Ghaf tree is the UAE’s national tree, and the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, admired it for its cultural, historical, and environmental significance. The native tree has proven to be drought-tolerant and can survive in harsh desert environments. Ghaf leaves and pods have historically provided food during famines and have incredible nutritional and medicinal properties. The Ghaf stands tall as a model of tolerance, representing a symbol of stability and peace in the UAE, and has become an integral part of the lives of all UAE citizens and residents.

The method to harvest the essence of the Ghaf leaves without damaging the trees was one of the ideas presented by Salma Alzaabi, an Emirati innovator at Innovation Lab Programme 2.0, organised by the UAE Food and Beverage Manufacturer’s Group and supported by Khalifa Fund. Alzaabi, who has successfully partnered with Barakat on the collaborative innovation, says: “The Ghaf tree provides a tonne of therapeutic benefits and is used to promote gut health. Personally speaking, the Ghaf tree brings about great childhood memories where every winter my family and I would go to a camping site next to a Ghaf tree in search of shade as the cool breezes permeated its leaves.”

—anam@khaleejtimes.com