BOTTLES of thirst-quenching palm water have shot off the shelves of supermarkets and cold stores as once again the traditional delight gives fasters a natural alternative to fizzy drinks and fruit juices.
Made from the spathe, a part of the tree acting as a protective cover for its pollen, palm water’s economic and cultural significance puts Bahrain on the map as its biggest producer and exporter in the world.
It is most commonly used to brew cups of tea and often used as flavouring for dishes and bottled water due to its earthy and refreshing smell.
“Palm water is such an integral part of the Bahraini household,” said Hanan Al Jaser from Al Jaser Factory. “You can find it in all our homes.”
Production of the favourite Ramadan product was boosted by a combination of favourable circumstances, say the experts.
“This season ended with a successful harvest about two weeks ago before Ramadan,” said Al Kamel Factory production manager Sayed Adnan Al Kamel.
“Weather in this part of the world can be unpredictable during the colder seasons, where a sudden heat wave can dry out the spathe but we were very fortunate,” he added.
Mr Al Kamel told the GDN that sales increase during the Islamic months of Rajab and Sha’ban but reach their highest point during Ramadan.
The fragrant water is not just used in the kitchen, it is also known as a hallmark of local folk medicine along with ‘margadoosh’ for their purported medicinal qualities.
Ms Al Jaser says that her grandfather Ibrahim Al Jaser started making palm water for his family and neighbourhood, eventually starting a business in 1978.
“Back in the day, my late grandfather made the palm concentrate the traditional way – in large cooking pots over a wood fire. Nowadays, our operation is much more sophisticated.”
Ms Al Jaser’s cousin, production manager Hussain Al Jaser revealed that after the spathe was harvested it was processed using a closely-guarded family recipe.
“It is distilled, pasteurised, stored in large tanks, diluted into different concentrations and finally bottled,” he added. “Some of the large distillation equipment has been customised and fabricated in Bahrain, specifically for the local products we are making.”
The 80-employee company has a large state-of-the-art facility in Al Qal’aa, and according to our sister newspaper Akhbar Al Khaleej remains the biggest palm water factory in the world.
Al Kamel Factory is regarded as the oldest palm water brand currently in operation, and according to Mr Al Kamel is at least 145 years old.
“The raw products are sourced from farms in both Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia,” he added. “Although it is only made once a year, after the 21 to 25 day-long harvesting season, the product stays fresh all year round thanks to modern storage methods.
“Our palm water is stored in sealed stainless steel storage tanks.”
The heritage product is exported to all Gulf countries, with Iraq and Jordan as the most distant partners.
Mr Al Kamel said that the company sells from 12,000 to 18,000 580ml bottles of palm water to each Gulf country on an average month, while sales have doubled this Ramadan.
“I heard of some unconventional uses of palm water, like people in Kuwait putting it in their shisha!” he added.
In the shops, there are five different concentrations, with prices ranging from 500 fils to BD1.500 with the 750 fils option the most popular.
Enthusiasts say the great thing about palm water is that it works very well with the digestive system. It instantly calms heartburn and reduces discomfort that comes from eating heavy or eating spicy food. But even more impressive is that it also calms anxiety.
zainab@gdn.com.bh
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