The recent downpour in the Emirates has not only refreshed the landscape but also brought a bounty of seasonal delights, including the coveted ‘Ara’een’ and ‘Faq’a’ mushrooms. These fungi, celebrated for their exquisite taste and high market value, have prompted UAE residents to embark on foraging expeditions across sandy areas, plains, mountains, and valleys.
Salem Jumah Al Alili, a 44-year-old Emirati from Falaj Al Mualla, Umm Al Quwain, has spent the last twenty years collecting these rare mushrooms. In 2018, he gathered around 1,700 Ara’een fungi. Citing a Khaleej Times report, Al Alili said that the prime time for harvesting Ara’een and Faq’a is in March, following a heavy rain, when they sprout from the warmth of the sun-soaked ground. However, Ara’een mushrooms must be consumed within three days of harvesting to ensure their edibility.
The market price for Ara’een stands at approximately Dh170 per kilogram, while the scarcer Faq’a can fetch up to Dh500 per kilogram, with premium varieties priced as high as Dh1,000 per kilogram. These mushrooms are versatile in cooking, enjoyed boiled, fried, or paired with rice, and each Emirati family has its unique way of preparing them.
Furthermore, the heavy rainfall has also encouraged the growth of ‘Al-Hamaad’ plants in mountainous areas, known for their tangy flavor and popularity in salads among Emirati households. This plant, locally referred to as ‘Al Humaid,’ grows in sandy soil and is often shared among families and neighbors as a gesture of goodwill, enhancing the communal spirit.
