Saudi culinary heritage showcased at Buraidah dates carnival

BURAIDAH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission is showcasing the Kingdom’s culinary heritage at the Buraidah International Dates Carnival through publications documenting local food traditions and products.

The commission’s participation includes its book “Buraidah,” which explores the city’s people, landmarks, customs and culinary traditions while highlighting the connection between local products and Saudi cuisine.

Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest date festival, the Buraidah carnival is a major agricultural and economic event centered on the Kingdom’s date industry.

The festival features more than 30 varieties of dates as well as products made from them, including date molasses, a traditional ingredient used in Saudi cooking.

The “Buraidah” book follows a traveler’s five-day journey through the city, documenting its cultural, historical and economic heritage through visits to palm farms, the dates carnival, Al-Oqilat Heritage Museum and other heritage sites.

The publication also highlights family-run and culinary businesses and records traditional Buraidah dishes and recipes, including Saudi coffee, kleija and maamoul.

The commission said its participation reflects efforts to preserve and document Saudi Arabia’s culinary heritage while introducing the country’s food culture to wider audiences.

Buraidah was the first Gulf city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, reinforcing its position as an important center of culinary culture in the region.

The participation at the carnival also underscores the growing role of Saudi cuisine and local food traditions in promoting the Kingdom’s cultural identity domestically and internationally.