CityPages Kuwait June 2016 Issue June 2016 | Page 77

Tell us about THOUB Honey. Why, when and how did you start up the business? First of all let me explain the meaning of THOUB. THOUB means the purest kind of honey in our classic Arabic language. Why? Since using or having the best of anything is part of my nature, I found this is the best honey I have ever consumed in my life. How? I used to buy it from one of my Yemeni friends who is a honey expert and he is recognized back in Yemen for owning top grade Yemeni honey. It began after my family and I consumed his honey for four years. I aksed myself, why not go into partnership with him and provide it to the market? So, that’s how THOUB has born. When? In the beginning of 2015, I started my small business selling THOUB. Where is THOUB Honey from? THOUB is Kuwait establishment with high end imported honey. Also, THOUB has local honey beehives. Why Yemen? What is so special about the beehives in Yemen? First of all Yemen is the land of organic agriculture by default. Yemen doesn’t need special organic certification from certain organizations, it just happens there because of its rich soils. As you know, premium honey quality depends on the land soil. Even in well known honey harvesting valleys in Hadramaut, Yemen, the honey grades vary from spot to spot. THOUB ensures it picks the top grades. Secondly, based on my experience, Yemeni honey and Manuka UMF 20+ New Zealand honey are the best. However, Manuka has to be used with caution whereas the Yemeni honey can be used every day. Yemeni honey is magic. I am always discovering something new and I hear new things from my customers all the time. Thirdly, Yemeni honey is well recognized scientifically and is considered a priceless gem around the globe due to its healing power. Historically, Yemeni honey established its fame during the era of Kingdom of Sheba 3,000 B.C. Tell us about the different variations of THOUB Honey. What do they taste like? What are their nutritional values and other benefits? All the Yemeni honey varieties have common benefits. They are high in antioxidants, antiaging and antibacterial properties. Also, they have very rich nutrition values; each kind has more concentration of some benefits. Currently THOUB Honey provides five top of the line honey varieties: 1- Yab'ath Honey (‫)عسل يَبْعث‬ The best and richest Sider Honey from Yabe'ath Valley in Hadramaut. Usually it is gifted to newly married couples back in Yemen. Benefits: Yab'ath provides the body with high potent energy and strong immune system. Also it supports body nerves. Suitable for diabetics but not suitable for children. ْ ‫)عسل ب ِّغي‬ 2- Bu'gyah Honey (‫َة‬ The best grade of Sider Dou'ani Honey. Benefits: Bu'gyah supports the immune system and provides general body energy. It also aids better sleeping. It is suitable for diabetics but not suitable for children below 4 years. 3- Maryah Honey (‫)عسل مرْيَة‬ The top grade of Wild Multi Floral honey harvested in Dou'an Valley. Benefits: Mar'yah is used for general health, especially for healing the digestive system and also for colon issues. Besides that, it is highly recommended for children 1 year old and above to boost their immunity and supply their body with valuable nutrition. It is not suitable for diabetics but is suitable for children 1 year old and above. َ ‫)عسل‬ 4- Sumrah Honey (‫سمْ رَه‬ Premium honey from Sumrah Shawky tree in Dou'an Valley. Benefits: Sumrah Honey has natural Insulin which supports diabetic patients. Sumrah Honey has special properties for cleansing the digestive system and can be used to relieve coughs and the respiratory system. It is suitable for children 2 years old and above. 5- Marbaei Honey (‫)عسل مر ِْبعي‬ This is summer season honey and it's the top grade of its kind. This honey combines Sider, Herbs and multi floral of Dou'an Valley. Benefits: Marbaei is used for general health. It is not suitable for diabetics but is suitable for children 3 years old and above. We also have our own Local Kuwait Honey Hive. How and where do you market and distribute your products in Kuwait? Currently our main market is on Instagram but we also participate in some well known local Expos from time to time. Also, in the meantime, we have agreed with one of the well known Gyms to have our products sold there. Do you also export to other countries? We do have our global customer base that we serve. They are mostly located in the GCC. How can you differentiate between pure and unauthentic honey from your experience? Of course, the best way is by taking the honey to one of the specialized labs but that won’t tell you the production region of the honey. Personally, I can recognize from the taste, smell, and texture; also the feeling after consumption. Also, please allow me the opportunity to explain how to judge the honey. After checking on the nutrition values and the anti-bacterial properties, you should check the water content in the honey - the less water, the better the honey is. Of course, also trace the positive results after consuming the honey for a period of time. What would you say is the most challenging aspect of starting and running such a business in Kuwait? The challenges we face are the challenges that all small businesses face. Government bureaucracy is high with a long wait to finalize documents. On the other hand, we do want to grow our business from online to a store so we can interact with more clients and give them the full experience of THOUB. Where do you see your business five years from now? Expanded in Kuwait and the GCC by being present in retail stores and online. We would like to be recognized as the leader in top quality honey. What’s one way honey has personally improved your life? It definitely had a positive impact on my overall health and energy levels. Besides that, I do believe that based on published studies, honey can be a great replacement for sugar. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: I would like to thank CityPages readers for reading about the quality of honey and the THOUB objective in providing the public the best access of gourmet honey. Also I would like to thank CityPages for recognizing that THOUB is providing the world’s best gourmet honey to its clients. CITYPAGESKUWAIT.COM 77