At a Glance

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  • Date: February 21, 2025
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  • Location: Dumat Al-Jandal Governorate, Jouf Region
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  • Festival continues through: February 25, 2025
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The 13th Jouf Dates Festival is seeing strong turnout from visitors and shoppers seeking the finest date varieties. The festival features 11 varieties of premium dates, foremost among them "Hilwat Al-Jouf," the main ingredient in the region's most famous folk dish, "Al-Bakeela."

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What Is 'Al-Bakeela'?

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A traditional dish from the Jouf region, prepared by mixing Hilwat Al-Jouf (a premium date variety), ground samh (a distinctive local grain), and local ghee. The dish is made by hand and is considered rich in energy, high in nutritional value and full of authentic flavor, making it a key feature of the festival.

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Top Date Varieties on Display at the Festival

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  • Hilwat Al-Jouf, the most requested in sales.
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  • Al-Khudri, a date renowned for its quality.
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  • Buwaida Khadhma, a distinctive flavor that appeals to connoisseurs.
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  • "Maknouz" dates (Al-Mujarrash), preserved using traditional methods and seeing high demand.
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Why Does the Festival Enjoy Such Popularity?

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  • An opportunity to discover premium dates and try local products.
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  • Introducing Jouf's culinary heritage and the authenticity of "Al-Bakeela."
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  • Supporting local farmers and promoting their crops.
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  • A tourism event that reinforces Jouf's standing as home to some of the Kingdom's finest dates.
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"Al-Bakeela": heritage renewed with every season, and a flavor that combines authenticity with quality.