For UAE foodies looking for something new to try, Gulfood is a treasure trove.
The food and drink trade show returned to Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday, with thousands of local, regional and international brands showcasing their latest products, as well as demonstrating the latest trends and innovations in the industry.
The rise of the health-conscious consumer is particularly evident this year, with many products aimed at well-being.
The five-day event also welcomes many global brands that aren't yet selling their products regionally.
From the quirky to the technologically advanced, The National looks at product highlights at Gulfood 2023, which runs until Friday.
Ghaf smoothie
Manufactured by Barakat, the green drink is made from extracting ghaf leaves and comes in two options, a smoothie with camel milk or a shot with green apple juice.
Emirati student Salma Alzaabi came up with the idea and presented a method to harvest the essence of ghaf leaves without damaging the trees under the Innovation Lab programme, which is supported by the Khalifa Fund.
While announcing the product last year, Alzaabi said the ghaf had many therapeutic benefits "and is used to promote gut health".
“For me, 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," she added.
The ghaf tree is considered a national symbol in the UAE. It is drought-tolerant and can survive the harsh desert climate.
Keto soda
The Keto Cola by Laperva is advertised as a healthier alternative to Coca-Cola's sugar-free drinks. Its packaging even mimics the famous soda brand with its slight use of red and black.
Its name alludes to the keto diet, which has grown in popularity over the years. The diet involves keeping a low carbohydrate count for the body to be in ketosis, a metabolic state that burns fat, rather than glucose, for energy.
Although Coca-Cola's zero-sugar options are also calorie-free, they contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
Laperva's drink, which is made in Sweden, uses Stevia as a natural sweetener. The brand claims the drink's ingredients include amino acids for muscle recovery and pain, as well as minerals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Canned sea urchin
Sea urchin roe is considered a delicacy in Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, and is typically used for soup and noodle dishes (or sometimes eaten alone). It's not new, but it's also not readily available in the UAE. Seatree, the South Korean company that brought the product to Gulfood, hopes to change this and is looking for local distributors to introduce its sea urchin line to UAE supermarkets.
Its taste is described as sweet and creamy with a briny flavour. Studies have shown that sea urchins are a good source of Omega-3 acids, similar to other fatty fish such as salmon. Omega-3 is known to reduce the risk of heart disease or strokes.
Foie gras crisps
The popularity of luxury crisps shows no sign of waning, with one of the latest variations using the controversial foie gras.
Duck or goose liver is often served as an accompaniment to main dishes, such as steak or scallops, and is typically prepared as a mousse or paté. Many describe it as rich, buttery and smooth in texture — however, a dozen countries, including the UK, ban the production of it with activists outlining how many animals are often force fed during the farming process.
The new flavour has been introduced by Hunter Foods, a Dubai brand that has released innovative potato crisps in the past, including truffle, shawarma, fattoush and shakshuka flavours.
Freeze-dried baby food
While freeze-dried food is often associated with astronauts, Nordic company BabyCool has used the technology to create baby food, served powdered and cubed for preservation and convenience.
The product is available in several flavours, including parsnip and carrot, which are made from natural ingredients, according to the brand.
Freeze-drying is a low-temperature dehydration process that allows products to retain their original qualities.
Scroll through the gallery below for images from Gulfood 2023
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MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
RESULTS
Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indika
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
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Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
THREE
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Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
FIGHT CARD
1. Featherweight 66kg
Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg
Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg
Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg
Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg
Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg
Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg
Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg
Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)
9. Featherweight 66kg
Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
