In Davos, those in search of warmth can visit the Saudi Cafe and try Medina black tea with dried rose petals or Shaatha cake instead of hot chocolate.
Saudi Arabia's Misk Foundation is running a pop-up cafe at the mountain venue of the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week, offering culinary delights.
Chef Najla Al-Otaibi is preparing Masabeb, a sweet dish made of pancakes topped with golden honey and traditional ghee for the Saudi Cafe in Davos, which is in its first year. The guests loved the food and drinks, including Arabic coffee, tea from Madinah, and Karak tea with milk.
You'll also find the Henaini on the menu, a dish consisting of crumbled bread mixed with fresh dates and thinly sliced lemon wedges, as well as the popular Shaatha cake, a traditional old Bedouin dish made of dates.
Al-Otaibi multitasked around the cafe and mentioned that everyone ordered the Shaatha cake with a hot cup of Karak tea.
It brings me joy to showcase our food to the world. I'd like to acquaint them with our cuisine and demonstrate the remarkable dishes Saudi Arabia has to offer.
We walked further down the snow-covered street, surrounded by Davos delegates speaking different languages, until we arrived at Promenade 62 - the Misk Lighthouse. This space is utilized for hosting discussions and debates that focus on skills, entrepreneurship, and global citizenship. Saudi art, refreshments, and prominent speakers are highlighted.
Basma Al-Shathry, the curator at the Misk Art Institute, said that the designer is fixated on Islamic Art. “All the design pieces here are created by three simple shapes derived from Islamic art, which create different pieces of furniture that are functional, so chairs, bookshelves, and tables.
He's sustainable and uses wood, minimizing usage and prioritizing longevity for his pieces and their users.
Drawings of the three original shapes described by Al-Shathry are on the wall in front of the furniture, with more complex forms based on them.
The curator stated that the artist is given priority, and any initiative taken is aimed at reinforcing their place within society, both locally and internationally. "Our responsibility is to ensure it gets to the right individuals in the right location," she explained.