Historic Souq Al-Balad, a Century-Old Hub for Taif’s Honey.

Taif: The historic Souq Al-Balad shops in Taif governorate are buzzing with activity as winter approaches. Visitors flock to these historic shops to select their preferred honey variety and ghee from cows and sheep. According to Saudi Press Agency, a honey seller mentioned that honey and ghee remain popular products, especially during winter. He attributed the strong turnout to the long history of the shops and the trust consumers place in the experienced Saudi youths who specialize in harvesting natural honey varieties. Historian and researcher Khaled Al-Hussaini told SPA that producing and selling honey in Souq Al-Balad is a traditional undertaking passed down through generations. Shop owners, many of whom are descendants of long-time merchants, sell honey and ghee products themselves. Some of these shops are over a century old; while they carry out their commercial activity throughout the year, they are particularly busy during the winter season. Al-Hussaini said that before the metric system was adopt ed in the early 1990s, honey was measured in "akas", a unit equivalent to 6-7 kilograms. While the "aka" is no longer used, the shop owners continue to maintain their traditional approach to selling honey, ensuring a unique and authentic shopping experience.