Qatar is among the Middle East’s finest tourism spots. In addition to its stunning landscapes, from the sea to the desert, magnificent mosques, state-of-the-art museum architecture, and mouthwatering cuisine, this wonderful location also draws tourists with its distinctive indigenous culture and enigmatic capital city of Doha.
In addition, Qatar is a country rich in delectable dishes that every traveler would like to bring back with them after their vacation. What therefore should one buy as presents in Qatar? Qatar souvenirs have a long list. From shawls, spices, and fabrics to Arabic hookahs, they will wink at you in the markets of Qatar. This variety is so much that you might get a little confused to buy the best one.
Which of the good cities to buy Qatar souvenirs is Doha? Doha, the capital of Qatar, is home to a variety of fantastic stores, but for authentic Qatari trinkets, nothing beats the neighborhood markets. One of the biggest and most attractive places to buy souvenirs in Qatar is Waqif Bazaar. A very popular place for tourists and local people of Qatar. Waqif is one of the most prestigious markets in Qatar with many facilities, restaurants, and very practical shops where you can buy local souvenirs.
What to buy in Qatar: Spices and herbs
In Qatar, visitors are particularly taken by the spices, as we will now share with you. The aroma of many dried herbs and spices, including saffron, cardamon, cumin, cinnamon, and chile, is constantly present while entering supermarkets, stores, or marketplaces. The herbs and spices are arranged in trays, baskets, bags, and other containers, rising like little, vibrant mountains.
Spices are one of the finest things to buy in Qatar and the best gifts from Qatar since they are so well-known throughout the Middle East and are also reasonably priced. Due to their vibrant color and aroma, colorful bags of spices offered in stores or in souqs (traditional markets) never fail to catch the attention of customers.
Spices from Qatar are quite varied and have a strong aroma. You are free to touch, taste, or smell anything you like, and you may ask the vendor to describe each type’s usage and history before you decide to buy. Cooking enthusiasts will be overjoyed to receive bags of Middle Eastern spices as a present. By asking the store owner to choose and combine, you may decide whether to purchase for yourself single spices or blended spices like masala.
Qatari spices
One of the most important products of Qatar is its tasty and attractive spices. Spices from Qatar, like cardamom, red pepper, cumin, allspice, and cinnamon, can be bought for gifting to loved ones as mementos of your holiday.
Special Qatari spices give a pleasant taste to your various dishes. You can buy spices that are special to this country in the markets of Qatar and after returning from your trip, combine them in your different dishes and recall the taste of the foods you ate during your trip to Qatar.
If your suitcase is full of various things and you don’t have much room for Qatar souvenirs, you can buy spices that can even fit in a small handbag. You may cook and eat a range of mouthwatering foods, such as kebabs and seafood, with Qatari spices.
Qatari spices are the best souvenirs for housewives. You can give a smile to the lips of your loved ones by preparing special spices, each of which has a different taste. You can even prepare a party after returning from your trip and use Qatari spices for dinner or lunch to bring the taste and pleasure of your trip to others. Among the types of Qatari spices, hot spices are more popular.
It is interesting to know that Qatari spices are famous all over the world. Many skilled chefs use these spices in their recipes. If you have someone among your friends who is a cook, spices are undoubtedly the best souvenirs of Qatar for them.
Be careful when carrying Qatari spices. Apart from the unique taste, these spices also have different colors. If a particle of these spices’ spills on your clothes, luggage, or other things, it is difficult to clean them. To buy spices, be sure to go to stores that sell these souvenirs in suitable packages.
The best 2 shopping centers for spices in Qatar
1. Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif is one of Doha’s most popular tourist attractions and one of the region’s most historic marketplaces. The old souq has been restored, and the new one has been designed to resemble a 19th-century Qatari market, complete with mud shops, exposed wooden beams, antique stores, modern art galleries, a variety of restaurants, and outdoor cafes that look like divans where people can smoke shisha and drink the local tea, chai-karak, 100 years ago. You may get traditional Qatari attire for both sexes here as well as spices, antiquities, pearls, and oud, an agarwood-based incense and perfume.
The Heritage Police officers patrol the market while riding majestic Arabian horses and donning period-appropriate costumes from the 1940s. Bargaining is normal in every market, as it should be. The vast majority of the souq’s stores close at noon and reopen at four, but the cafés and restaurants are open all day long.
An iconic image of street markets in Asia and the Middle East is spice piles and dried fruits. We enjoy seeing them all, from the mountain of vibrant spices in India to the crisp dry fruits for sale in Amman, Jordan’s street markets. A fantastic spot to buy these goods is Souq Waqif. It’s fascinating and wonderful to see the goods tastefully placed in the little stores along the Souq’s charming streets.
You might be shocked to learn that neither dried fruits nor spices are widely produced in Qatar. However, it has been a significant trade hub for them since the beginning. Doha imports spices from Asia, mainly India, and dried fruits from neighboring Middle Eastern nations like as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, and Syria.
2. Omani Souq
A little bazaar called Omani Souq is situated in Doha, Qatar. Spices, clay pots, fragrances, and baskets may all be found in this lively and colorful market. Despite its vastness, the Souq is worthwhile for those who wish to experience Middle Eastern traditional shopping.
Local residents who come to purchase household goods and fresh food, such as fruits and vegetables, make up the majority of the Omani Souq’s clientele. Visitors could sample the exquisite Saudi dates and regional honey available from the market’s vendors. You can have a cup of Karak, a typical Qatari tea if you’re thirsty.
Conclusion
You will find the best model of Arabic spices on your trip to Qatar. The native spices of Qatar have given a delightful taste and a unique aroma to Arabic foods and dishes, which are very enjoyable. The best place to buy spices in Qatar is the Doha market. If you want to take the best souvenirs with you to your city at the lowest cost, we suggest these colorful, glazed, and fragrant spices.
