A piece of Afghanistan will be showcased from 22 to 26 September at Turin’s Salone del Gusto, one of the world’s most important events dedicated to food. Afghanistan will be represented by more than 300 kg of Herat Abjosh raisins, one of the traditional food products that the Slow Food Foundation classifies as being at risk disappearing. Nineteen crates of raisins have arrived in Turin after a two-day trip from Afghanistan thanks to the joint effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (through the Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit and the Italian Embassy in Kabul) and the Ministry of Defence (through the Allied Joint Operations Forces Command and the military attaché in Kabul), which arranged for their transport on a military aircraft.
The history of Herat Abjosh raisins is shrouded in mystery: it is believed that around the year 2000 BC the grapes were grown by a nomadic tribe in Central Asia. Before the Soviet invasion in 1979, Herat Abjosh raisins covered 60% of world demand and represented the Country’s main agricultural product. Out of all pre-existing varieties only 44 are now left, seven of which are considered to be of a superior quality. With the help of Herat University, the Slow Food Presidium has analysed and classified 27 different varieties according to their shape, colour, consistency and use.
