Israel’s Natural Products – The best foods and products from the Israeli soil
In a tiny country like Israel, it’s nothing short of remarkable the number of amazing products (foods and cosmetics) coming (literally) from our land.
Just ask any Israeli about his/her favorite Israeli grown foods and products and you’ll get a wide range of answers: olives, dates, almonds, various herbs and spices, fruits and vegetables, Dead Sea salts, wine and so much more. We love to eat them as well as use these fabulous raw materials in beauty and cosmetic products. After all, there’s nothing better than natural products on our skin.
Can you believe that all of this comes from such a small country, that half of which is desert?!
Want to experience Israel’s natural products straight from your home?
Each Israelibox includes at least one food product and one beauty product made here in Israel with locally produced materials and ingredients.
Now’s the time to bring Israel straight to your doorstep.
Shalom, I’m Maya, a native Israeli (aka sabra) and the founder of Israelibox.
IsraeliBox is a subscription box that brings Israel closer to you than ever.
Israeli Olives
Just walk through any shuk in Israel and you’ll be stunned by the different types of olives we have here.
Did you know that 93% of olives in the world are grown in the Middle East? This is largely due to the climate and the mild winters in the region. In Israel, olives are grown in the Galilee mountains, on the coast, and also in the desert! The common types of olives in Israel are Zuri, Barnea, Manzenillo, Picoel, Muhsan, Nubo, Picholine and Maalot.
I started Israelibox to give you the chance to experience Israel like Israelis do.
Join me in supporting Israel in a unique way while enjoying the great products our small businesses have to offer.
Want to send Israel as a gift?
Our Shuk Basket Box features some of the best products in Israel’s shuks, serving as a great base to any Israeli meal or snack.
We eat our olives in a wide variety of ways: plain, as olive oil, tapenades, and more. Olive oil is also used as a base ingredient for a wide variety of cosmetic and beauty products and is known for its healing properties and so much more. No matter how you enjoy your olives, they’re the best!
We’re not called the land of milk and honey for nothing!
Israel has many honey manufacturers (find them in our boxes!) made from local beehives and farmers. There are approximately 120,000 hives throughout the country- each of which produces about 80 pounds of honey each year!
Israelis consume most of their honey around Rosh Hashana (about 40%). We eat it straight up with apples and honey or in honey cake.
Israeli honey can also be found in a wide variety of beauty products, as it’s known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients.
Dates
Cruise around Israel and you’ll see tons of palm trees. One of the best parts of them? The dates! There are a wide variety of different types of Israeli dates and Israelis love snacking on them, cooking with them or using silan (date syrup).
Dates are grown throughout the country including in the desert, the Jordan Rift Valley and the Jordan Valley. The most popular type is Medjoul which are big and super sweet, followed by Deri, Hayani, Dekel Nour and more.
Almonds
Have you ever seen a Shkedia (almond tree) bloom?
The Shkedia is one of the most famous symbols in Israel for the arrival of spring. It’s gorgeous and afterwards we get to enjoy Israeli almonds. Israelis like to eat almonds as a snack, eat almond butter or to bake with them.
Israel also grows many other different types of nuts including pecans, walnuts, pistachios and more.
Za’atar dates back to biblical times. It was traditionally considered part of ritual purity ceremonies and is also part of the Passover story. King David has been referenced as saying that Za’atar has purifying powers.
Today, za’atar is a popular herb in Israeli cooking and seasoning. It is often mixed with sesame seeds, sumac and salt and can be found on pitas, salads, mixed with olive oil as a spread, and as a seasoning for meat, veggies, hummus, labneh and more.
Did you know that wild za’atar is a protected species? This means that there is a ban on picking wild za’atar in order to protect it from becoming extinct!
Grapes
In recent years, the Israeli wine scene has gained global fame. Wineries can be found throughout the country from the Golan Heights to the desert, depending on the type of grape and the weather conditions necessary. Israel features different microclimates with different types of soils and topography, allowing for different types of grapes and wines to be created. The most popular varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.
You may have heard of Carmel, Barkan, Golan Heights, Teperberg, Tishbi, Galil Mountain and other wineries in Israel. Visiting one of our local wineries is one of my favorite day trips here in Israel. Highly recommended when you’re planning your next trip!
The Dead Sea
If you’ve ever been to the Dead Sea, you know how much fun it is to lather up with mud and float in the water.
But, it’s not all fun and games. The Dead Sea mud and salt have wonderful health benefits! People travel from all over the world to treat skin conditions, back pain, reduce inflammation and more. But don’t worry. If you can’t get to Israel, we’ll send you some Dead Sea salt in your IsraeliBox!
Israeli fruits
Jaffa oranges and citrus, watermelon, grapes, apples, berries…. Wow.
One of my favorite activities on a beautiful day here in Israel is to go fruit picking. The opportunities are almost endless! We’re known for our superb oranges and citrus but the grapes, berries, watermelon and more are just as good.
Produce in Israel is always fresh. Not in season? You’re out of luck. You won’t find oranges here in the summer or watermelon or peaches in the winter.
The natural wonders of Israel’s soil
Israel is bursting with amazing flavors and sensations that come right out of her soil. It’s one of the reasons that Israeli food is so fabulous – Israel is the definition of farm to table! Everything is fresh, picked within the last few days and as tasty as it gets.
Want to explore more of Israel. Check out these relvant blogs:
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Each IsraeliBox takes you on a tour of Israel through the eyes of its small businesses and non-profits located throughout the country.
Now’s the time to bring Israel straight to your doorstop.
Shalom, I’m Maya, a native Israeli (aka sabra) and the founder of Israelibox.
IsraeliBox is a subscription box that brings Israel closer to you than ever.
I started Israelibox to give you the chance to experience Israel like Israelis do.
Join me in supporting Israel in a unique way while enjoying the great products our small businesses have to offer.
Want to send Israel as a gift?
Our Shuk Basket Box features some of the best products in Israel’s shuks, serving as a great base to any Israeli meal or snack.
