December 2013
Already in December! The end of the year is soon here! And a new beginning in a few weeks! What blessings!
December began with a heat wave and pollution so thick you could slice it with a dull knife. And then... overnight, the skies wore their Egyptian winter blue with puffs of white clouds, and a timid sun peeking through. The temperature dropped about ten degrees and the nights have become cool. The sunrises and the sunsets have also been simply magical and beautiful!!
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| Cairo sunset in December |
What is new? The solar drying process has slowed down a bit too, as we wait for the oranges and tangerines to ripen and the strawberries to become sweeter. But I was busy making marmalade, pink grapefruit grown on our land and pomegranate juice marmalade.
Why is it marmalade and not jam or jelly? A serious question that can turn into a heated discussion especially with the Brits. Well to settle the matter, I consulted Wikipedia, two dictionaries and Fun Trivia and came up with these definitions:
Jelly is made from fruit juice and has NO pieces of fruit in it. It is usually clear.
Jam is made from fruits and may or may not contain fruit pieces.
Marmalade is usually a citrus-based jam which contains pieces of fruit AND rind which gives it this slightly bitter taste. While researching the question, I realized that the term marmalade has been controversial since the 16th century. I found a link that takes back the origin of the word to the times when a doctor treated Mary Queen of Scots, for seasickness by mixing crushed sugar with oranges. The story infers the term marmalade is a derivation of "Marie est malade," a French phrase meaning Mary is ill. Other historians think it comes from the Portugese word for quince: marmelo, hence marmalade. I like both stories about the origin of the word, and I also really like the taste of our new Pink Grapefruit and Pomegranate Marmalade. But do read on to find out more by clicking on the above link.
We have a fresh batch of solar dried tomatoes that are just perfectly red and taste great!
Please consult our updated Products and Price List as we have ran out of a few items such as strawberries, melons and watermelons.
November 2013
November is a beautiful month in Egypt: the weather is cooler, especially at night, the skies bluer, the clouds whiter and the country side greener. Often a shower or two towards the end of the month will brighten things up.
During November 2013, people around the world will celebrate the Muslim New Year on the 5th, Remembrance Day (UK) on the 10th, Veteran's Day (USA) on the 11th, Ashura on the 15th and Thanksgiving on November (USA) on the 28th.
What's New In November?
The Bee Bracelet: Minnie's is teaming with Malak's Honey on yet another level. We are bringing to you the contribution of Malak's Honey to fighting breast cancer. In collaboration with Karma Jewelry, they have designed and produced a beautiful dainty silver Bee Bracelet that is adorned with a pink and yellow beads. The proceeds of the sales of the Bee Bracelet all go to Breast Cancer treatment in Egypt.
To order, click on the Promotion tab at the top of this page or go to Malak's Honey.
And of course, we continue to carry Malak's Honey.
Candied Bitter Oranges (lareng): Prepared from the peel of our own bitter oranges, these bits of candied lareng are a great addition to your Christmas baking. And as with all our homegrown products, they come from unsprayed, safe agriculture fruits. Try some.
Iman's ginger biscottis and tea cakes: we are partnering with Iman, our baker. She uses a variety of Minnie's Dried Fruits in preparing her ginger cookies, which are dairy free and fat free. She adds Malak's Honey and Minnie's dried oranges in her tea cakes. Again, heathy and tasty food.
Enjoy!
October 2013
Earlier this month I wrote about our newest special product: do'a, which we make by blending and mixing the apricot kernels, with coriander seeds and sesame seeds.
Well! Look what I just came upon: an article by John Summerly in my science academy and he writes about the 10 top healthiest seeds!! Listed there are the apricot kernels, the sesame seed and coriander seed. Click on the link and read the article :
http://myscienceacademy.org/2013/02/19/the-top-10-healthiest-seeds-on-earth/
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The date season started in mid September and is still going on. Last weekend, Nawaya (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nawayaegypt/) in collaboration with Fagnoon (Sabeel Om Hashem) art and fun place on the Maryouteya canal held a date festival. The theme was dates and everything there was about dates. Nothing goes to waste with the date palm and its fruit! Click on the link and take a look at some of the fun things that were taking place!And now we at Minnie's are at it again drying our dates.
We have 3 kinds of date palm that grow on our premises and this year we decided to dry all of our crop:
- The 7amrawy dates, which are red and turn to black when they ripen . We dried them last year and they were a huge success, so we are doing it again this season.
- The seewee dates which are yellow and turn to brown when dried. We turned them into 3agwa last year, but this year I decided to pit them and dry them. And they are good!!
- The samanee dates which are a beautiful yellow color speckled with red dots and when ripen they turn to a light brown. Samanee dates are the ones used for making date jam. But I went ahead and dried them too. And they are chewy and delicious!
Our customers love them, they eat them right out of the box as soon as they buy them and then they buy some more to take home and use in their cereals or in baking.
What is new in October?
Do'a. This is a special blend of spices and seeds used in the Middle East as a condiment over eggs, in fool-the Egyptian staple- with olive oil and bread-much like the zeet we zaatar ( olive oil and thyme) of Lebanon. We make our very own Do'a using the almonds of the apricot fruit and coriander and sesame seeds. Some we spice up with a little chili for those who like it hot and some we add a little salt. Try it, we know you'll like it.
Molokheya: that grows on our premises under safe agriculture practices. We dry it to extend its seaon.
Mint: also grown on our premises. It is so fragrant and green even when dried.
Figs: from the North Coast. Peeled and dried in our solar tunnel.Exquisite! This is a first for us and we are happy to offer these delicious Egyptian figs to you.
Watermelon: yes! People laughed at this idea of drying watermelon since it is more than 80% water. But dried watermelon turned out to be a treat! Those who have tried them, have fallen in love with them. Unfortunately we have a very limited supply.
Enjoy!
OUR NEW LOOK
We changed our packaging from the recyclable bag to a PET recyclable box.
So what is PET?
I have checked the internet and here is what I found:
PET is the abbreviation for a long scientific name for a chain of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules. PET is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and other things as well. It is a safe material for storing food and it is recyclable.
PET Safety: http://www.factsonpet.com/facts-on-pet/
The International Life Sciences Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of topics related to food safety, toxicology and risk assessment, has drafted a comprehensive review of PET available as a PDF.
Facts about PET:
PET plastic (also known as PETE and designated by a recyclable “1”) does not contain BPA. Most single-serve plastic bottles, including those for water, soft drinks and juices, are made with PET. PET is globally recognized as a safe, recyclable packaging material. Numerous tests have created a broad scientific consensus that PET is non-toxic and is a safe material for the storage of food and beverages. Facts on PET supports the efforts of regulators to ensure that plastics are safe for the public through scientific testing and analysis.
Our boxes have the number 1 embossed in the triangle!
We love the boxes! And so have our customers so far!
However, if you are really keen on getting your order in the bag, please let me know in advance and we will package it the way you want it.
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| Palm Grove in Dahshour |
September is a beautiful month here in Egypt. Why you may ask? Well because nature puts on a beautiful display of colors especially where the palm groves are still found.
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| Climber with a basket |
The colors are just magnificent! And from a bird's eye view your eyes feast on a beautiful patchwork of fall colors produced by the dates in their varying stages of drying.
September is also the month we begin drying our own beautiful dates in our solar tunnel. And some years I make date jam too!
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| Seewee and haynee dates |
September 2013
Minnie's has been off line for a few weeks now! And actually everyone at Minnie's took some time off during that long silent period! I did go on vacation, then Ramadan and the heat came, followed by 3eed (feast) and all the events that followed, but now it is time to go back to work!
Seriously I mean! Because although I didnt write for a few weeks, I have been busy trying new items for drying, toying with the idea of a new package for our products and when you read The Slice this month, you will see for yourself all the new items on our list .
I have just posted an article about mushrooms and a recipe using Minnie's dried mushrooms.
Nile TV came to Dahshour to film the project and the women at work. It aired in August. The interview was conducted in French, but even if the language may be a barrier to some of you, I think that Hani, the cameraman took some really nice pictures. The program is called "Les femmes D'Egypte" and it portrays the Egyptian woman doing what she does best: promoting her country, her products and herself. I feel very fortunate to have had a segment on that program and maybe if they re-run it I will know ahead of time and post the time and day.
So get ready! And look for Minnie's new look in stores, on the blog, on Facebook, on Nile TV and at the Farmer's Markets all around town.
June 2013
What Is New in June......
Apricots: (back in season): scrubbed and cut into eighths are dried in our solar tunnel. Because we add no preservatives or color enhancers, our apricots do not keep their light orange color, but their distinct tart flavor is intact.
Nectarines: look like plums because of their smooth skin and taste like peaches. We wash, slice and dry them. Minnie's is one of the very few companies that dry nectarines to be eaten as a snack.
Egyptian apples: (back in season): these wonderful tart apples are peeled and cut into crescents. Their color is appealing and their tart flavor-compared to the Syrian or Italian apples- is a delight.
Malak's Orange Blossom Honey: the new season of orange blossom honey is here. It is now available in 500g jars or larger, with or without beeswax. Try it, you will not use any other brand.
Did You Know That.....
Nectarines have been known for over 2,000 years? They belong to the same family as peaches except they have a smooth skin and just like peaches they are a good source of vitamins A and C. Commonly eaten fresh, they are also very tasty in compotes, jams, and pies. Nectarine season is very short, just a few weeks. Drying them naturally with no preservatives or sugar extends their shelf life for a long period of time, allowing you to enjoy this very special fruit through out the year. Dried nectarines are a treat as their flavor is intensified after drying.
Mushrooms: are a super food? Edible mushrooms are low in calorie, carbohydrates and sodium. They are high in fiber, protein and water content, and contain at least 13 vitamins and minerals. They are cholesterol and fat free. In short they are a great food for a healthy diet.
What Is New in June......
Apricots: (back in season): scrubbed and cut into eighths are dried in our solar tunnel. Because we add no preservatives or color enhancers, our apricots do not keep their light orange color, but their distinct tart flavor is intact.
Nectarines: look like plums because of their smooth skin and taste like peaches. We wash, slice and dry them. Minnie's is one of the very few companies that dry nectarines to be eaten as a snack.
Egyptian apples: (back in season): these wonderful tart apples are peeled and cut into crescents. Their color is appealing and their tart flavor-compared to the Syrian or Italian apples- is a delight.
Malak's Orange Blossom Honey: the new season of orange blossom honey is here. It is now available in 500g jars or larger, with or without beeswax. Try it, you will not use any other brand.
Did You Know That.....
Nectarines have been known for over 2,000 years? They belong to the same family as peaches except they have a smooth skin and just like peaches they are a good source of vitamins A and C. Commonly eaten fresh, they are also very tasty in compotes, jams, and pies. Nectarine season is very short, just a few weeks. Drying them naturally with no preservatives or sugar extends their shelf life for a long period of time, allowing you to enjoy this very special fruit through out the year. Dried nectarines are a treat as their flavor is intensified after drying.
Mushrooms: are a super food? Edible mushrooms are low in calorie, carbohydrates and sodium. They are high in fiber, protein and water content, and contain at least 13 vitamins and minerals. They are cholesterol and fat free. In short they are a great food for a healthy diet.
MAY 2013
What's New This Month.....
Several items are new this month. Spring and Summer have brought with them a variety of new fruits which I have dried and added to our list!
Guava wedges:
Guava, a tropical fruit, fragrant and sweet, peeled, and cut into wedges, then dried on the trays of our solar tunnel. When dry, the golden wedges become even more fragrant and flavorful. Guavas are as good-and even better than apples- at keeping the doctors at bay! Read more about them under Did You Know?
Egyptian peaches are available now. Their flesh is orange and their taste is sweet. When cut up and dried their beautiful orange color and flavor become more intense. They are a treat to the palate!
Mushrooms:
Egyptian white button mushrooms are back on our list. Throw a handful in a soup or add them to your favorite tomato sauce or as a pizza topping, they are an excellent source of protein!
Did You Know That.....
Dried Guavas are a very healthy snack, because they are very high in fiber and are rich in vitamin A, C, and K as well as potassium, iron and magnesium. They are low in fat and in calories and are an excellent food for keeping you healthy because of their anti-oxidant properties. They are often labelled as a super fruit.
Dried Guavas can be eaten right out of the bag or in yogurt, on ice cream or mixed with nuts.
What's New This Month.....
Several items are new this month. Spring and Summer have brought with them a variety of new fruits which I have dried and added to our list!
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| Dried Guavas |
Peach pieces:
Egyptian peaches are available now. Their flesh is orange and their taste is sweet. When cut up and dried their beautiful orange color and flavor become more intense. They are a treat to the palate!
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| Peaches before |
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| Peaches on the dryer |
Mushrooms:
Egyptian white button mushrooms are back on our list. Throw a handful in a soup or add them to your favorite tomato sauce or as a pizza topping, they are an excellent source of protein!
Did You Know That.....
Dried Guavas are a very healthy snack, because they are very high in fiber and are rich in vitamin A, C, and K as well as potassium, iron and magnesium. They are low in fat and in calories and are an excellent food for keeping you healthy because of their anti-oxidant properties. They are often labelled as a super fruit.
Dried Guavas can be eaten right out of the bag or in yogurt, on ice cream or mixed with nuts.
What Is New at Minnie's?
Check this link out: http://evetalkonline.com/sweet-guiltless/
Why?
Because I wrote an article for Evetalkoline, the electronic magazine that sees "the world according to cyber savy eve".
The article is about our new product of the month: Melons! also known as cantaloupe or "ananas".
Check this link out: http://evetalkonline.com/sweet-guiltless/
Why?
Because I wrote an article for Evetalkoline, the electronic magazine that sees "the world according to cyber savy eve".
The article is about our new product of the month: Melons! also known as cantaloupe or "ananas".
What Is New At Minnie's?
We are in the news again. Check us out at the vendor spotlight at Nun Center blog !
We are in the news again. Check us out at the vendor spotlight at Nun Center blog !
What is new?
Minnie's Dried Fruits & Vegetables is in the news!!
Check this link and read about us and then browse the beautiful site of Evetalkonline.
Minnie's Dried Fruits & Vegetables is in the news!!
Check this link and read about us and then browse the beautiful site of Evetalkonline.
April 2013
What's New This Month...
Melons!
These summer fruits come in a variety of shapes and colors, but I love the early crop that grows in the Sinaii. It is so sweet that vendors often refer to as 'ananas'-aka pineapple. The fruit are round, small and very fragrant, and when you cut them open, a beautiful creamy green color appears and the fruit drips with juice.
We peel them, slice them and dry them to a crisp in our solar tunnel. Their flavor is intensified by the drying process and they are great low calorie snack. A 75g bag sells for LE 20.
Coriander Seeds!
Grown under safe agriculture practices, these seeds are a very important ingredient in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking. I grind them and use them in our all time favorite Egyptian molokheya and in Indian dishes. Whole, I add them to my jar of black olives to add flavor. A 50g bag sells for LE10.
Did You Know That...
Minnie's Dried Fruits & Vegetables attends the NUN Center Farmers' Market on Saturday's from 10-2pm?
The Bioshop, located at 27 Road 231, Degla, Maadi carries all of Minnie's products?
You can order Malak's Honey directly by clicking Honey ?
We deliver Minnie's Dried Fruits &Vegetables to your home or office
Melons:
What's New This Month...
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| Melons and apples |
These summer fruits come in a variety of shapes and colors, but I love the early crop that grows in the Sinaii. It is so sweet that vendors often refer to as 'ananas'-aka pineapple. The fruit are round, small and very fragrant, and when you cut them open, a beautiful creamy green color appears and the fruit drips with juice.
We peel them, slice them and dry them to a crisp in our solar tunnel. Their flavor is intensified by the drying process and they are great low calorie snack. A 75g bag sells for LE 20.
Coriander Seeds!
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| Coriander in bloom |
Grown under safe agriculture practices, these seeds are a very important ingredient in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking. I grind them and use them in our all time favorite Egyptian molokheya and in Indian dishes. Whole, I add them to my jar of black olives to add flavor. A 50g bag sells for LE10.
Did You Know That...
Minnie's Dried Fruits & Vegetables attends the NUN Center Farmers' Market on Saturday's from 10-2pm?
The Bioshop, located at 27 Road 231, Degla, Maadi carries all of Minnie's products?
You can order Malak's Honey directly by clicking Honey ?
We deliver Minnie's Dried Fruits &Vegetables to your home or office
Melons:
- belong to the same family of gourds as cucumbers, pumpkin and squashes
- originated in the Middle East and ancient Egyptians and Romans ate cantaloupes
- are a good source of potassium and vitamin C
- are fat and cholesterol free; and are relatively low in calories?
The Slice
March 2013
What's New This Month...
Tangerines!
Minnie's delicious Egyptian tangerines are peeled, sliced, and dried in our solar tunnel. These tangerines are as delightful to look at as they are delicious to munch on and come in 75g bags. These mouth-watering treats are an ideal healthy snack. Read on to learn more about the wealth of health benefits tangerines offer!
Peas!
A new addition to Minnie's products, these peas are blanched, dried to a crisp and make an ideal vegetable snack. No salt or preservatives added!
Did You Know That...
Cairo Kitchen (Zamalek and Maadi) and BioShop in Maadi carry a selection of Minnie's Dried Fruits and Vegetables!
Citrus fruits are...
Citrus fruits are...
- packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that promotes healthy cell function and blood purification. Vitamin C's antioxidant protection and natural antiseptic properties fight the onset of colds and infections, promote the healing process of wounds, and may reduce incidences of heart disease and certain types of cancer;
- a significant source of pectin, which increases beneficial microflora in the gut. This means a healthier digestive system!
Tangerines in particular...
- contain a fibrous white tissue in between the fruit segments known as lamella. Lamella is rich in soluble fiber, a key agent to fighting high cholesterol;
- can combat obesity, as they contain a flavanoid that prevents the build-up of fat in the liver and boosts metabolism.
Oranges in particular...
- are an excellent source of the minerals folacin, potassium, thiamine, niacin, and magnesium. These minerals support cell growth, improve muscle and bone health, fight anemia, and boost energy.
- contain a phytonutrient in their peel that is known to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Dehydrated oranges are an ideal way to get this miraculous nutrient into your body and promoting optimal health.
The Slice
February 2013
What is new this month?
Strawberries: Egyptian
strawberries have been on the market for a few weeks. We at Minnie's have began
drying these luscious berries this month, and the result is fantastic: great
color, delicious taste and a strong strawberry aroma.
Marmalade: homemade low
sugar marmalade using slivers of bitter oranges (Seville oranges) floating in a
soft-gel marmalade.
Jams: homemade, chock full of fresh fruit pieces, and low in sugar. We stock strawberry jam and strawberry/kiwi jam. Try any one of our homemade james or marmalades, and you'll never go back to commerical jams again.
Help Us Grow:
Please help
us continue to grow. When you get a chance,” like” Minnie's Dried Fruits
& Vegetables on Face Book and tweet us or follow us on
Twitter:
bil hana
Minnie's Dried Fruits & Vegetables
The Slice
January 2013
What's new this month...
Oranges: sweet and juicy Egyptian navel oranges, from Banha El 3assal.
Sliced and dried to a crisp in our solar tunnel, then packed in 75g bags. Eat
them right out of the bag, munch on them with a bite of chocolate or crumble
them and sprinkle them on a green salad.
Grapefruit: pink and sweet, grown on our premises
under safe agriculture practices. Cut and dried using solar energy, and packed
in 75g bags. Delicious eaten alone, or in a salad. We will post a recipe for a spinach, shrimp
and grapefruit salad soon.
Herbs: organic marjoram and thyme dried and packed in zip lock bags
to preserve their exquisite flavor and aroma. Use them in your favorite soup,
pasta, tomato paste or sprinkle either of them on feta cheese, areesh or labna
cheese.
January Products and Price Lists
Fruits/Vegetables
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75g
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150g
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Apple crescents
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LE 20
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Apple rounds
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LE 20
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Apple, green
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LE 25
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Banana coins
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LE 15
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LE 30
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Dates
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LE 20
|
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Grapefruits, pink
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LE 15
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|
Fruit mix: apples, oranges, grapefruit, raisins, kiwi,
mango, pears
|
LE 20
|
|
Kiwi
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LE 25
|
|
Mango slices
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LE 20
|
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Orange rounds
|
LE 15
|
|
Raisins
|
LE 15
|
|
Onion shreds
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LE 15
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|
Onion, sweet white
|
LE 10
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Peas
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LE 20
|
|
Peppers, colored
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LE 10
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Soup mix: zucchini, carrots, onions,
herbs
|
LE 10
|
|
Tomato wedges
|
LE 10
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Herbs
|
15g
|
20g
|
Bay leaves
|
LE 10
|
|
Chili peppers
|
LE 10
|
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Chives
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LE 10
|
|
Coriander
|
LE 5
|
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Dill
|
LE 5
|
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Marjoram
|
LE 10
|
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Thyme
|
LE 20
|
We also offer:
Karkadeh, hibiscus blossoms: grown on our land from seeds that come from
Aswan. We dry them and pack in them in 50g bags and sell them for LE 20.
Pressed dates or 3agwa: pitted and cleaned then dried and pressed
into blocks of 250g that sell for LE 25 and 500g that sell for LE 45
Malak’s honey: a
500g jar costs LE 40 and you have the option to choose from clover (barseem)
honey, or orange blossoms honey, or better yet, try them both.
How
To Order:
To
place your orders, please email Minnie's or sms/call on 011-1104-7555
Pick
up or delivery: You may pick up your order or you may
choose to have it delivered to your home or office. For pick-ups, please
contact us on the above phone number to set a pick-up time. Otherwise let us
know where to deliver. Delivery charges apply depending upon the delivery
address. Maadi deliveries are free.
When
To Order:
If
you would like to receive your order by Sunday afternoon, please place your
order by Saturday evening.
If
you would like it by Tuesday afternoon, please place your order by Monday
evening.
If
you would like it by Thursday afternoon, please place your order by Wednesday
evening.
We
do not deliver on Friday or Saturday.
Help
Us Grow:
Please
help us continue to grow. When you get a chance, like Minnie's Dried Fruits & Vegetables on Facebook.
bil hana
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