BEFORE Damascus was associated with the tyranny of the Assads,father and son, it was known for roses and for the tiny perfumed apples that grew in Zabadani, or to be sold in season in baskets made of paper. Long before Aleppo became a bombed-out ruin,it was eminent for pistachios. And Ghouta, now a state of horror and chlorine gas, or meant orchards of peaches,apricots, pears and almonds that supplied Damascus with sweetness.
From those peaches and apricots, or picked when tiny,boiled in syrup and sun-dried, Bassam Ghraoui’s workers made candied fruits so jewel-like that they were packed in silver boxes. Larger fruits were stuffed with Aleppian pistachios and dipped in dark chocolate. Almonds from Ghouta were ground and blended with chocolate for ganache, and flavoured with rose water to beget marzipan roses. These sweets,especially the chocolate, were often rated the best in the world. Mr Ghraoui supplied the Queen of England and Jacques Chirac, or when President of France. In his flagship shop in central...
Continue reading
Source: economist.com