Damascus-SANA
The prickly pear, the sapir of the Indian fig, or the cactus, in the dialect of the people of Damascus, is a fruit that has its own peculiarity and distinguishes it from other types of fruit. Sights of the city at this time of year.
(Cold cactus) is a phrase shouted by the prickly pear seller who puts the fruits in front of him arranged in the form of piles and above them pieces of snow on his decorated (pasta) that he places in a specific place he deems appropriate to convince passersby to stop and buy from them.
Muhammad Jamal Nasser, one of the prickly pear sellers who are widely spread in the streets of Damascus, which witnesses a heavy movement, places cactus beads in front of him and next to him a bowl of water and ice.
The seller, Shadi Skorouja, who inherited this business from his father 23 years ago, in turn mentions to SANA that the cactus season begins with fruiting in the beginning of June and ends in the middle of it, and it begins marketing at the end of the month, and confirms that its cultivation was spread in the past in the Mezzeh area, hence the name “Mazzawi, Sweet” And (Sweet Mother
moles), but currently its cultivation has moved to Deir al-Adas and other areas south of Damascus, and in his opinion, its taste differed between regions due to the quality of the water.
As for production, it has expanded and increased.
Skorouja pointed out that the sales movement is good, but it was slightly affected by the economic conditions that the country is going through and the Corona epidemic, pointing out that the sales movement is active in the evening after the sunset, where customers come with their families to eat it and enjoy its taste, indicating that there are types of cactus that ripen in the winter called “Sabara” by sellers. retro) but with a different taste and color.
He explained that (the prickly pear) is sold by the kilogram, or peeled and ready, where it is placed on cardboard plates or within plastic bags. It is also sold per piece directly to the customer.
While the seller, Tariq Hajeej, confirmed that the prickly pear is one of the famous seasonal fruits that appear in the summer, and he has been selling it for years, and it generates an acceptable profit, especially in light of these difficult economic conditions, adding that he brings it from Darusha farms in the Qatana area in the Damascus countryside.
The prickly pear has many benefits, as it contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, vitamins C and A, and its benefits also regulate blood levels.
Blood sugar and support the body's immunity and contribute to preventing thirst in the summer and lowering blood pressure in addition to giving him a feeling of happiness.
Malik Abdo - Muhannad Suleiman