Souq Waqif’s spice shops preserve an older way of shopping
A visit to Souq Waqif can be as much about following the aromas in the air as it is about browsing its shops.In one of the market’s traditional stores, pyramids of vividly coloured powders sit alongs...
Souq Waqif, Doha’s historic marketplace, offers visitors a unique shopping experience that harks back to traditional methods. As one wanders through the market, the air is filled with the enticing aromas of spices, herbs, and other traditional ingredients. One of the most striking sights is the vibrant array of powders, arranged in neat mounds and colorful trays.
These range from deep reds and bright oranges to golden yellows and earthy browns, alongside pale greens, each labeled in both Arabic and English. Near these, wooden trays hold dried herbs, seeds, and fragrant resins, adding an extra layer of visual interest. The assortment also includes legumes like red and green lentils and fava beans, along with snacks such as peanuts.
One of the most visually arresting displays features fragrant resins, with large quantities of pale yellow and cream-colored pieces stacked neatly in wooden boxes. The shops also showcase traditional products such as oils and herbal remedies, all presented in an open setting where customers can inspect items closely and engage in conversation with shopkeepers.
This shopping method, where goods are weighed and packaged upon purchase, harks back to a time when markets were the primary retail spaces, long before the advent of modern supermarkets. Souq Waqif’s shops are therefore more than just commercial establishments; they are living museums of the region’s culinary and cultural heritage, preserving a way of shopping that remains distinct from contemporary practices dominated by packaged goods and digital commerce.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
