35 Madinah Foods Join Global Ark of Taste Registry

The Madinah region is celebrating the documentation of 35 of its distinctive local foods in the global Ark of Taste registry, part of a total of 180 Saudi products drawn from the Kingdom's 13 administrative regions. The effort is led by the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission to protect food heritage and support local producers.

The newly highlighted Madinah items include Al-Ais wheat, Barni dates from Al-Ais, Hassawi mint, Al-Faqrah mountain honey, Madini Hummati, Sharik bread, Bisham, Madini cabbage and Madini nabq (jujube). The list also features Al-Ftoot bread, a fluffy, easily crumbling traditional bread classified under bread and baked goods.

The Ark of Taste is an online catalog for heritage foods considered at risk of disappearing. To qualify, Saudi entries must show distinctive taste quality, a strong link to a specific area and community memory, limited production, and a genuine risk of being lost. Saudi Arabia's documentation has grown from about 120 products in 2022–2024 to 180 products in 2026, with the 35 Madinah items among the latest additions.

Why it matters

For residents and food lovers, the recognition shines a light on the region's rich agricultural diversity, including more than 130 date varieties and aromatic herbs such as bisham that shape its gastronomic identity. Documenting these foods helps preserve traditional knowledge, promote biodiversity, and give local producers wider visibility.

The initiative is described in terms of documentation, promotion and heritage recognition rather than paid experiences. As of now, there are no specific ticketed venues or fixed prices tied to these 35 foods, and listing is handled through nomination and documentation processes rather than standard government e-portals.

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