Al Wadi: The Household Name That Revolutionized Lebanese Food
We all know and love the local food brand Al Wadi Al Akhdar that is at the heart of every Lebanese family gathering. Since we’re all about supporting local brands and highlighting their successes, we thought we would share with you the captivating story behind the birth of Al Wadi Al Akhdar!
During the darkest days of the war, when people were running extremely low on food supplies, Bechara Obegi and Frank Farage founded Al Wadi Al Akhdar in 1979 to battle the chronic food shortages. The brand launched with only three simple products: Hummos Tahina, Foul Mdammas, and Chickpeas!
The launch of the three core products was a major success, with Lebanese people falling in love with the convenient and consistent products. Cans that didn’t compromise on taste were not as common during those days, and Al Wadi Al Akhdar nailed it by making everything taste homemade. Soon enough, they began their first exports to the US and France.
As Al Wadi became the market leader in food supply, they eventually expanded and began offering over 150 unique products belonging to 15 different food categories. The brand successfully took on the basic necessities of every Lebanese family gathering, ensuring that they satisfy all the food essentials in every household. Simply put, you can essentially create a full three-course meal using products from Al Wadi! Don’t believe us? We’ll put it to the test.
For a pre-lunch snack you have their delicious edamame, a quick steam then you pair with a sprinkle of salt and an ice-cold beer for maximum enjoyment.
As an appetizer, Al Wadi’s trusted hummus b tahina is creamy, delicious, and tastes homemade. Moving on to the main feast, the brand’s falafel (which come in both the regular mix and one with a quinoa twist) can be paired with their crunchy cucumber pickles.
Still hungry? Pop open a can of stuffed vine leaves and you’ve got yourself all the most loved Lebanese delicacies.
End your feast with a slice of halawa (our favorite is the chocolate) or a dollop of delicious grape molasses alongside a cup of cafe blanc (a few drops of Al Wadi’s perfect orange blossom mixed into hot water).
Al Wadi’s dedication and passion allowed them to become the top choice of households across Lebanon! We’re sure you have at least one of their products in your kitchen because the recipe for a perfect family gathering must include their incredible products.
