There's some certainties no one can deny about Napoli: they make the most authentic pizza in the world; they proudly showcase one of the richest street markets of Italy; they are blessed by being surrounded by a hypnotic turquoise sea coast and preserve their centuries old archeological sites and ancient ruins to make us dream about the past.
A few months before my first visit to Rotterdam (2015), an arquitectonic landmark in the city had just opened. It was MarktHalle. An exciting discovery especially due to its purpose: besides its impressive building housing two hundred apartments, it is also a vibrant food market. It is the largest covered market in Holland.
I have always found it important, and part of the process of getting to know the local culture, to explore local markets in certain cities we visited, at least the first time you go there. But when you are in the East, this assumption is fundamental, and in Amman, as in the rest of the Arab countries, local markets are rich with products and well-known Souks.
One of the best ways to get to know a place is to taste simple local food, especially when you have the opportunity to visit street markets and fairs. In Berlin, curry wurst and doner kebab are a symbol of local street food. But fortunately the gastronomic scene has evolved and some markets are proof of that, such as Markthallen.
In 1920, the animal fur market in Leipzig represented 1/3 of the world market. In the streets known today as Brühl Street and also on Nikolai Strasse, it used to be mostly full of Jewish merchants (60%), who were responsible for the economic cycle of the textile retail market.
I had the privilege of being welcomed by the sommelier Sebastian Mac Lachlan Muller, representative of August Kesseler, who proposed a very special vintage tasting followed by a tour of the winery. Kesseler has been in the market since 1984 and began his production focusing on red pinot noir.
Colors, aromas and sounds all mixed and as varied as possible. Entering this market leaves anyone open-mouthed and dazzled by its vast cultural and gastronomic richness. It is one of the largest markets in the entire Middle East and, of course, the largest in Jerusalem. Israel has wonderful markets, but Mahane Yehuda has an incomparable level.
Next to the Galili Olive Press Center, in the village of Bethlehem of Galilee, is The Spice Way Herb & Spice Farm, where I came across a plethora of herbs, infusions and spices that could make anyone crazy! A family that has been growing all its products for over 50 years runs the place.
For those who like to eat, the trip to Israel is a treat for the eye, stomach and soul. First, almost everything you see before eating is very colorful, has a lot of personality with intoxicating aromas. Second, because everything has a lot of reference in Arab roots, which I particularly think is "the mother" of all kitchens in the world (just think about the Persian civilization, among others).