1 00:00:14,534 --> 00:00:16,677 It was a bread bakery and it became a Manakish bakery. 2 00:00:25,663 --> 00:00:29,333 Hello Anthony, how are you? Good? I hope so, happy holidays. 3 00:00:31,041 --> 00:00:34,553 You are at Chafik Bou Assali Bakery in Qob Elias. 4 00:00:35,430 --> 00:00:38,013 This is a thyme Manoucheh. We are making it now. 5 00:00:38,013 --> 00:00:39,389 This is a mixed Manoucheh. 6 00:00:40,675 --> 00:00:45,911 Mhammara Manoucheh. This bakery has been here since 1958. 7 00:00:46,523 --> 00:00:47,763 Since the times of my late father. 8 00:00:49,287 --> 00:00:54,820 First, it was a bread bakery. Then it became a Manakish and pastry bakery in 1965. 9 00:00:55,201 --> 00:00:58,111 Good morning. Good morning Anthony, welcome to Qob Elias. 10 00:00:58,111 --> 00:00:59,214 We're happy that you're here. 11 00:01:00,606 --> 00:01:04,606 We're happy that you're here and we are recording the oldest things present in Qob Elias 12 00:01:04,606 --> 00:01:07,633 and we allow people to know Qob Elias, and the beauty of the village and the area. 13 00:01:07,633 --> 00:01:10,510 So we're on. Ahmad, tell me about you. 14 00:01:10,908 --> 00:01:14,967 Thank God, good. I've been here for almost a year and a month. 15 00:01:15,365 --> 00:01:19,365 From Canada. I liked to come and see Lebanon, and get my kids to Lebanon. 16 00:01:19,365 --> 00:01:23,365 Because Lebanon is the most beautiful country in the world. I follow you a lot. 17 00:01:23,365 --> 00:01:27,365 Because you excited us to come to Lebanon, and i've been here for a year and a month. 18 00:01:27,365 --> 00:01:31,365 I am working in Lebanon. We have about 6 stops today. 19 00:01:31,365 --> 00:01:34,635 We will see the oldest bakery in Qob Elias and in the area. 20 00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:41,883 We will see another bakery for one of the most charismatic people in Qob Elias. 21 00:01:42,737 --> 00:01:46,188 We will see the largest vegetable market in the area, in the Middle East. 22 00:01:46,565 --> 00:01:53,175 We will see Domaine de Chouchene because it is very amazing, Anthony, you're going to love it. 23 00:02:07,568 --> 00:02:10,923 We will start with the thyme Manoucheh. Soft soft soft. 24 00:02:11,431 --> 00:02:12,481 Large and filling. 25 00:02:16,123 --> 00:02:18,603 I loved it a lot. Maximum soft. 26 00:02:19,006 --> 00:02:21,696 Filling, generous, the thyme is good. 27 00:02:23,498 --> 00:02:25,748 It is not chewy. Very fluffy. 28 00:02:26,773 --> 00:02:28,493 The dough is properly soaked with oil. 29 00:02:31,434 --> 00:02:32,034 Great start. 30 00:02:33,726 --> 00:02:34,626 Then they have this. 31 00:02:35,353 --> 00:02:36,713 What is this! About a kilogram. 32 00:02:37,237 --> 00:02:38,207 3 kinds of cheese. 33 00:02:39,366 --> 00:02:39,962 A mix. 34 00:02:42,795 --> 00:02:43,385 Wow. 35 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:46,683 That is something. 36 00:02:48,204 --> 00:02:49,274 Super something. 37 00:02:51,676 --> 00:02:52,376 All these. 38 00:02:54,915 --> 00:02:56,530 Enjoy enjoy. 39 00:03:02,158 --> 00:03:04,158 This is a big thing. 40 00:03:31,429 --> 00:03:34,429 Abou Alaa Bakery. You're close to my heart, I respect you. 41 00:03:34,429 --> 00:03:35,739 All kinds of Manakish. 42 00:03:36,618 --> 00:03:38,288 Welcome. You're close to my heart. 43 00:03:39,309 --> 00:03:43,309 Yes, I've been in this business for 50 years. Specifically in this place, I've been for 17 years. 44 00:03:47,935 --> 00:03:51,935 This is the thyme. The bakery is related to thyme, they initially say, a thyme bakery. 45 00:03:52,882 --> 00:03:57,722 Then, the other kinds come. But originally, they say that this bakery is a thyme bakery. 46 00:06:24,208 --> 00:06:25,865 You're welcome a hundred times. 47 00:06:27,913 --> 00:06:29,378 One for me and one for you. 48 00:06:29,715 --> 00:06:32,852 The Manoucheh is wrapped like a sandwich, like a school sandwich. 49 00:06:38,310 --> 00:06:39,337 You have to try it. 50 00:06:41,308 --> 00:06:42,178 Super soft. 51 00:06:48,768 --> 00:06:51,161 Super smooth. Super simple. 52 00:06:52,231 --> 00:06:54,871 Light and clean, delicious, uncomplicated. 53 00:06:56,437 --> 00:06:57,347 Comforting. 54 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:02,460 Unbelievable. 55 00:07:08,251 --> 00:07:09,231 I memorized the location. 56 00:07:14,746 --> 00:07:16,679 For sure I'm coming back. Let me go inside to tell him thank you and bravo. 57 00:07:48,218 --> 00:07:54,172 We are at Qob Elias Central Vegetable Market. Now, I work as a guard in this market. 58 00:07:54,351 --> 00:07:58,351 I am responsable for the market and now I will take you to 59 00:07:58,940 --> 00:08:01,659 Sheikh Wajih Al Amoury, he will tell you more about the topic. 60 00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:11,981 This vegetable market was established in 1997. 61 00:08:13,604 --> 00:08:17,214 A group of traders, in agreement with the municipality, made this market 62 00:08:17,214 --> 00:08:22,152 with effort and energy and it is from the best Lebanese markets 63 00:08:22,378 --> 00:08:24,328 and from the most organized Lebanese markets. 64 00:08:25,091 --> 00:08:30,521 The market is made up of 121 garages or doors, 65 00:08:31,186 --> 00:08:33,246 and about 60 corporations are there. 66 00:08:35,066 --> 00:08:40,408 This market, almost all production of Al Bekaa, 67 00:08:41,268 --> 00:08:42,428 comes to this market. 68 00:08:43,429 --> 00:08:47,999 The market during summer, all Lebanese markets come take from this market. 69 00:08:49,644 --> 00:08:53,978 Even for traveling and exporting, this market gives the products. 70 00:08:53,978 --> 00:08:55,382 Traders sell everything in this market. 71 00:08:55,982 --> 00:08:56,542 It is organized. 72 00:08:57,251 --> 00:09:00,065 There is a committee or union for this market. 73 00:09:00,065 --> 00:09:04,585 There is another market in Ferzol. It is parallel to Al Bekaa market, but our market is bigger. 74 00:09:05,696 --> 00:09:07,833 It can fit more amount of products. 75 00:09:35,005 --> 00:09:37,857 Just come and fill your sight with colors. 76 00:09:38,438 --> 00:09:40,348 From a place to a place to a place. 77 00:09:40,678 --> 00:09:43,143 All kinds of vegetables. Very good condition and very clean. 78 00:09:43,143 --> 00:09:46,651 Some are in plastic boxes, or carton boxes, or bags. 79 00:09:47,115 --> 00:09:51,765 You can find all what you need in very good prices. 80 00:09:52,182 --> 00:09:56,182 As you can see, the organization, cleanliness, calmness, there is no shouting. 81 00:09:56,597 --> 00:09:57,447 I was not expecting that. 82 00:09:58,289 --> 00:09:58,739 Very nice. 83 00:09:59,179 --> 00:10:01,633 It is the biggest in the Middle East, and I have not came to here before. 84 00:10:02,526 --> 00:10:02,936 Oops. 85 00:10:16,214 --> 00:10:18,707 Very very professional. Very professional. 86 00:10:18,707 --> 00:10:21,319 Impressive. And I am still walking and I do not feel like stopping. 87 00:10:21,746 --> 00:10:25,746 From a place to a place to a place, there is not a tiny bit of trash on the floor. 88 00:10:26,263 --> 00:10:30,263 Our prices here are very good, package prices. Our products are very clean, 89 00:10:30,263 --> 00:10:33,668 products with clean water, most of it is clean water, artesian. 90 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:18,340 Qob Elias products. 91 00:12:14,301 --> 00:12:17,266 Look, there is a very old Sun Temple. 92 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:20,117 Of course, we will go there later on and talk about it. 93 00:12:20,117 --> 00:12:21,417 If you want to capture it from here, the picture would look very nice. 94 00:12:23,103 --> 00:12:26,307 How many of you did know that there is a Sun Temple in Qob Elias? 95 00:12:26,562 --> 00:12:27,492 We pass through this road 96 00:12:28,390 --> 00:12:32,751 always, we all pass through this road. We all go all the way 97 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,000 to a beautiful area called Ammiq. Did we ever look to the right at this mountain? 98 00:12:37,604 --> 00:12:39,844 A temple, they say that it has been here for more than 6,000 years. 99 00:12:40,895 --> 00:12:43,275 Wow, we will go and see it together later on. 100 00:12:45,007 --> 00:12:48,493 So next, after the vegetables market, I will take you to my uncle, who is the eldest mayor in the village. 101 00:12:48,493 --> 00:12:49,993 Mahyidinne Toufic Hatoum. 102 00:12:52,512 --> 00:12:55,462 I have been a mayor since 1985. 103 00:12:56,898 --> 00:12:57,258 Yes. 104 00:12:58,199 --> 00:13:00,859 And in the village, there are almost 105 00:13:01,669 --> 00:13:04,079 70,000 person. 106 00:13:04,825 --> 00:13:09,435 Its history is very old. Its history, there's Haidar remains, as they call it. 107 00:13:10,115 --> 00:13:12,425 This dates back to the Romans era. 108 00:13:13,081 --> 00:13:14,221 And maybe the Phoenicians. 109 00:13:14,762 --> 00:13:18,453 It was more beautiful than that and nicer than that. 110 00:13:19,095 --> 00:13:23,409 When the sun rises in the morning, it hits, we had the schools place, 111 00:13:23,975 --> 00:13:26,847 there was all yards, decorated as they call it. 112 00:13:27,517 --> 00:13:30,073 There were no buildings or schools or anything, 113 00:13:30,584 --> 00:13:32,860 there was the Sun Temple, as they call it. 114 00:13:33,603 --> 00:13:38,509 Tal El Akhdar boarders it from here. the south, Tal El Akhdar, and Ammiq. 115 00:13:39,456 --> 00:13:41,366 Tal El Akhdar belongs to Qob Elias. 116 00:13:42,138 --> 00:13:43,808 But Ammiq belongs to west Bekaa. 117 00:13:44,553 --> 00:13:47,413 From the east, El Marj village. 118 00:13:48,376 --> 00:13:53,548 And from the south, I mean the north, Chtoura. 119 00:13:56,231 --> 00:14:01,331 And from the west, the mountain and then Ain Dara. 120 00:14:15,899 --> 00:14:18,029 Lots of history. Lots to cover. 121 00:14:18,737 --> 00:14:20,667 Of course, Qob Elias is rich with history, as you can see. 122 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:23,297 And almost all civilizations passed through Qob Elias. 123 00:14:24,253 --> 00:14:27,569 Of course, because it exists on both sides of the river. 124 00:14:27,569 --> 00:14:29,865 So a side was Mrayjet and a side was Qob Elias. 125 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:32,580 Now, all of it is Qob Elias. 126 00:14:44,328 --> 00:14:46,735 We reached Ras El Ain area which very famous here. 127 00:14:46,930 --> 00:14:51,748 Where water starts. We are seeing around us iron pipes left and right. 128 00:14:52,023 --> 00:14:54,853 Unfortunately, they're damaged. Now we were talking about this topic, 129 00:14:54,853 --> 00:14:59,475 that there was a water station, a power station but it stopped from a long time ago. 130 00:14:59,679 --> 00:15:02,083 So the pipes rusted and started to break. 131 00:15:02,665 --> 00:15:07,500 Nice walk, I can tell you that the walk is very nice. We can go forwards for more than 20 minutes and see 132 00:15:07,500 --> 00:15:12,200 where the river starts. But they are waiting for us in the village, and I started to feel hungry. 133 00:15:35,078 --> 00:15:40,591 Good morning. Good morning. How are you? How are you? Welcome. Good. 134 00:15:40,591 --> 00:15:43,731 Hello. Hello. How are you? God bless you. 135 00:15:45,159 --> 00:15:47,473 The table and the smell in your house, it's crazy. 136 00:15:47,848 --> 00:15:53,905 Hiam Alaaeddine from Qob Elias. I've been working for 10 years with Mouneh and 137 00:15:53,905 --> 00:15:56,688 Arabic food as well as foreign food. 138 00:15:57,551 --> 00:16:05,114 Stuffed vine leaves, Coxinha, Empanada, Empanada Con Pino, chicken croquettes, 139 00:16:06,008 --> 00:16:11,238 Tabouli, different kinds of pumpkin Kebbeh with all stuffing, potato Kebbeh, 140 00:16:12,019 --> 00:16:16,649 everything you need is found here. This is Tabouli with village parsley 141 00:16:16,649 --> 00:16:18,345 also with olive oil. 142 00:16:20,770 --> 00:16:22,900 Lemon is also from the mountains. 143 00:16:29,060 --> 00:16:29,900 Tell us about catering. 144 00:16:31,795 --> 00:16:35,468 I work from home. I've been for almost 8 years. 145 00:16:37,549 --> 00:16:40,869 I developed my work, I work with NGOs, I participate. 146 00:16:42,224 --> 00:16:47,164 Now I am still developing. I am learning and doing everything new. 147 00:16:48,603 --> 00:16:53,486 Stuffed vine leaves with oil. As they say, the leaves are from village. 148 00:16:53,686 --> 00:16:57,686 I make everything, I get them during season and cut them, sort and organize them, 149 00:16:57,686 --> 00:17:01,526 and I press them and keep them ready for when there is an order. 150 00:17:11,030 --> 00:17:11,490 Wow. 151 00:17:12,116 --> 00:17:14,787 No, the food is very nice. 152 00:17:17,576 --> 00:17:18,356 Finally, 153 00:17:23,741 --> 00:17:28,651 as it should be. Passion of home, taste of home, the perfect flavors. 154 00:17:29,282 --> 00:17:32,338 The Tabouli has perfect lemon, it pinches a bit. 155 00:17:33,458 --> 00:17:35,953 The oil is exact. Fresh ingredients. 156 00:17:39,376 --> 00:17:39,976 Perfect. 157 00:17:44,104 --> 00:17:44,624 Perfect. 158 00:17:46,490 --> 00:17:47,830 Your food is amazing. 159 00:17:48,612 --> 00:17:52,001 There are still these? They became red, we forgot them. 160 00:17:52,001 --> 00:17:54,681 Let me exchange them. Amazing amazing amazing, 161 00:17:54,927 --> 00:17:59,877 Enjoy enjoy, welcome. I hope the better and nicer will happen. 162 00:18:00,317 --> 00:18:00,875 And the more delicious. 163 00:18:01,091 --> 00:18:02,911 Wow. Impressive. 164 00:18:03,284 --> 00:18:06,834 I thought that I am done, and I said no, I want to have some bites without eating a lot. 165 00:18:07,207 --> 00:18:10,657 But the potato Kebbeh stuffed with meat. You're having it with Labneh, yes? 166 00:18:11,091 --> 00:18:11,841 Impressive. 167 00:18:12,427 --> 00:18:18,447 The crisp on the outside, flakiness, craziness. It's super juicy on the inside and extremely flavorful. 168 00:18:19,396 --> 00:18:22,605 Put everything aside, there is an obvious passion. 169 00:19:26,202 --> 00:19:29,374 Welcome. We're waiting for you wherever you are, in Lebanon and the world. 170 00:19:29,374 --> 00:19:30,224 Come visit us. 171 00:19:50,381 --> 00:19:52,343 Welcome guys. God bless you. 172 00:19:57,019 --> 00:19:58,429 We've been here since 1982. 173 00:20:00,639 --> 00:20:01,879 We work with cheeses and Labneh. 174 00:20:03,731 --> 00:20:07,881 Labneh, cheese, Halloum, double cream, Akkawi, Baladi. 175 00:20:08,962 --> 00:20:09,912 It is all natural milk. 176 00:20:10,759 --> 00:20:14,469 There is a proper boiler. It becomes frothy in 30 mins. 177 00:20:16,025 --> 00:20:18,647 We take it for making yogurt or cheese. 178 00:20:19,456 --> 00:20:21,246 They are on the tables. 179 00:20:22,032 --> 00:20:23,182 Cheese on the tables. 180 00:20:24,125 --> 00:20:27,075 We press it by the press. Here, this cheese is pressed. 181 00:20:29,044 --> 00:20:30,334 This is pressed by the press. 182 00:20:31,889 --> 00:20:34,872 We put a specific amount of salt and we pack it in boxes and cans, 183 00:20:35,782 --> 00:20:38,122 in salty water. Everything is 100% naturally made on the old way. 184 00:20:38,122 --> 00:20:43,713 There isn't any preservatives or powder or starch or any artificial materials. 185 00:20:44,134 --> 00:20:47,094 As the milk comes, we work with it, and we put it, 186 00:20:47,094 --> 00:20:50,248 we don't soak it, and cheese is put in cans, as it is. 187 00:21:14,868 --> 00:21:19,616 Good morning. Good morning, welcome. Welcome welcome. Chateau Heritage. 188 00:21:20,317 --> 00:21:24,787 About Qob Elias, I have to tell you, I am the ex mayor. 189 00:21:25,178 --> 00:21:28,838 I used to say, it's the capital of the world and the center of the universe. 190 00:21:29,465 --> 00:21:34,827 So now, Chateau Heritage is the capital of the world and the center of the universe. Welcome. 191 00:21:35,231 --> 00:21:36,771 It's an honor to have you. 192 00:21:37,238 --> 00:21:41,238 Thank you. First, congratulations for the new award. 193 00:21:41,238 --> 00:21:44,575 You're a pride to this nation. 194 00:21:45,207 --> 00:21:46,507 Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. 195 00:21:47,326 --> 00:21:51,876 The square is very nice, as if it is Hacienda. As if it is a place for horses, 196 00:21:51,876 --> 00:21:55,876 as if we traveled to Portugal or Spain, and we are in the center of Lebanon. 197 00:21:56,025 --> 00:21:57,605 You enter from a door to another. 198 00:21:58,033 --> 00:22:02,433 Originally, from the entrance, the atmosphere and the vibes are amazing, 199 00:22:03,602 --> 00:22:04,322 Chateau Heritage 200 00:22:05,546 --> 00:22:09,638 Let's tour and see what do they have. It's an old school built in 1927. 201 00:22:10,299 --> 00:22:14,235 This is actually the courtyard. The classes were here. They come to the courtyard. 202 00:22:15,043 --> 00:22:19,396 So when we bought it, it was utterly destroyed by the war. 203 00:22:19,899 --> 00:22:23,339 It passed in phases where it was a chicken and cow farm at one time, 204 00:22:23,636 --> 00:22:28,616 a carton factory at another time, but when we bought it, it was completely damaged. 205 00:22:28,616 --> 00:22:32,436 It had many bullets and bombs. 206 00:22:33,074 --> 00:22:39,634 So we refurbished and adapted it to become a winery. 207 00:22:40,161 --> 00:22:45,071 We are the sons of Elias Touma. One of the founders of Arak Touma. 208 00:22:45,887 --> 00:22:51,757 So we are fourth generation wine makers. I went to the states and studied 209 00:22:51,757 --> 00:22:53,064 chemical engineer. 210 00:22:53,738 --> 00:22:57,211 The masters in indology, PhD in food and beverage science. 211 00:22:57,211 --> 00:23:01,581 So my friends call me Dr. D, Dr. Dargham. So it's Dr. D. 212 00:23:03,482 --> 00:23:04,472 What else do we tell you? 213 00:23:04,942 --> 00:23:08,264 When I started here it was a very primitive operation. 214 00:23:09,258 --> 00:23:13,966 Now, the vats that you are seeing are imported vats. 215 00:23:14,608 --> 00:23:17,572 It's for show and pictures. You know, like a portrait. 216 00:23:17,572 --> 00:23:20,602 But in the rest of the winery there are vats that I've done myself. 217 00:23:20,602 --> 00:23:23,009 I've welded myself, I've done myself. 218 00:23:24,703 --> 00:23:27,814 They are called, you know, colt of the business, they do everything. 219 00:23:28,498 --> 00:23:33,588 So Chateau Heritage was founded in 1997. That's when I came back from the states. 220 00:23:33,818 --> 00:23:35,448 I started working in 1997. 221 00:23:35,867 --> 00:23:39,597 2 years prior, we made wine. 222 00:23:40,192 --> 00:23:42,462 88 and 91, now we will show you what are they. 223 00:23:43,357 --> 00:23:48,397 And it is a family business. My siblings and I, 224 00:23:48,397 --> 00:23:49,845 it is a family operation. 225 00:23:50,247 --> 00:23:53,717 May my father rest in peace, he was a big part of the business, 226 00:23:53,717 --> 00:23:55,097 he died 4-5 years ago. 227 00:23:58,105 --> 00:24:02,285 The patron saint, all wineries of the world have a patron saint. 228 00:24:03,510 --> 00:24:07,510 Because sometimes you do the science to the maximum, a time comes, 229 00:24:07,598 --> 00:24:11,598 things mess up. You have to refer to a higher power, so 230 00:24:11,598 --> 00:24:17,736 we light candles and such things. Patron saint of out winery is St. Elias, in honor of our father. 231 00:25:00,033 --> 00:25:05,554 This is 1 of 2 sellers of wine. Now we'll go up there to the second. 232 00:25:06,811 --> 00:25:08,937 This is where wine comes to be aged. 233 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:13,330 I'm not a humongous fan of oak. 234 00:25:14,183 --> 00:25:20,383 Because it covers, it masks the smells and fruits of the wine. 235 00:25:20,689 --> 00:25:27,877 But nonetheless, some wines need oak, and we, personally I am American educated, 236 00:25:28,712 --> 00:25:34,163 but to be honest, I tried French oak, what I found to be the best for Lebanese 237 00:25:36,401 --> 00:25:38,447 tannins and weather and things 238 00:25:39,173 --> 00:25:42,139 is American oak. Because when I started using that, 239 00:25:43,524 --> 00:25:48,140 ever since, I'm winning best Lebanese wine in the world consecutively every year. 240 00:25:48,140 --> 00:25:49,545 Both in Bordeaux and elsewhere. 241 00:25:50,101 --> 00:25:54,421 And to commemorate you winning the award, now up there. Thank you so much. 242 00:25:55,606 --> 00:25:58,831 We took it from here, it has mold which is okay. 243 00:25:58,831 --> 00:26:05,707 This is the 2003 which has won about 6 golden awards all over the world 244 00:26:06,185 --> 00:26:08,100 including best Lebanese wine. 245 00:26:08,564 --> 00:26:13,840 You don't drink these being careless. After the car trip, 246 00:26:14,378 --> 00:26:18,718 you have to leave it for about 10 days because it's going to shake. 247 00:26:19,293 --> 00:26:24,316 And you open the other one on a very nice occasion. 248 00:26:25,141 --> 00:26:29,141 But in both cases, you should decant them. 249 00:26:29,490 --> 00:26:34,475 Please, because I am not teaching you, but it's for the info. 250 00:26:35,021 --> 00:26:38,487 Second, for it to have oxygen and stretch. 251 00:26:38,954 --> 00:26:41,444 This has been stuck in the bottle for 30 years. 252 00:26:41,806 --> 00:26:43,026 So it needs stretching. 253 00:26:43,358 --> 00:26:44,948 Give it some oxygen to stretch. 254 00:26:45,310 --> 00:26:49,310 How great.