ISSUE 1

Refreshing melon for the 
Hot Summer
At Teible, we believe in the power of locally sourced ingredients to transform the dining experience. Each month, we shine a spotlight on a different ingredient, celebrating its unique flavors, health benefits, and environmental impact.

Join us as we explore the journey of each ingredient from farm to table. Discover the stories of local farmers and artisans, learn new recipes and culinary techniques, and understand the health and environmental benefits of incorporating these ingredients into your diet.

Teible Philosophy

Sustainability
We prioritize sustainably farmed ingredients and reduce food waste by fermenting, pickling, preserving, and repurposing ingredients.

Seasonality
Our menu changes seasonally, solely determined by what nature provides.

Simplicity From the modest furniture to the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of natural light, the tiny details were thoughtfully selected to give a minimalistic undertone, allowing the food to take center stage.

Locality
Today, we source 85 to 90 percent of our ingredients from the UAE and others from the MENA region.

the farm

Greenheart Organic Farm, Sharjah

Greenheart Organic Farm is a sustainable organic farm located in Sharjah. The farm practices sustainable agriculture and produces top-quality organic ingredients.

Founded by Elena Kinane. Twenty years ago, Elena started with a small garden on her apartment balcony in Bur Dubai to recover from a chronic illness by eating the freshest organic greens.

 

In 2009, she founded Nazwa Organic Farm with friends, which, although short-lived, convinced her that growing genuine organic produce on a larger scale in the UAE desert was possible.

In 2012, she established Green Heart Organic Farms. Initially, the farm consisted of one old grow house and a few scattered vegetable patches.

Over time, the farm has grown to over 80,000 square meters with 30 cooled grow houses, 13 shaded shabras, 5,000 square meters of animal enclosures, and approximately 45,000 square meters of open fields.

the ingredient

Melon, Cantaloupe Heirloom
‘De Bellegard’, is a very old heirloom cantaloupe melon variety from the mid-19th century southern France. This melon is slightly elongated, ribbed with green spots before ripening, and has orange-red flesh that is very sweet and mild.

Health benefits of melon

High in water content, making it excellent for hydration in the hot summer.

Rich in Vitamin C and beta-carotene, which boost the immune system and promote skin health​
The antioxidants in melon help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.​

Cultivation Challenges & Methods

Growing this heirloom cantaloupe melon in Sharjah’s hot climate is challenging. The greatest challenge is creating fertile soil from the desert sand. Green Heart produces compost by mixing crop leftovers with manure from grass-fed goats, chickens, and cows, taking six months to complete.This process enriches the soil, allowing for the long-term cultivation of genuine organic produce.

The farm uses advanced greenhouse systems and drip irrigation to control temperature and moisture, maintaining healthy soil with organic fertilizers. Additionally, most crops are grown from heirloom seeds that existed before 1952.

recipe

This issue, we are excited to introduce Ultimate. This dessert is Teible’s unique reinterpretation of a deconstructed cheesecake, featuring a variety of ingredients, including poached melon and honeydew melon sorbet made from melons grown at Greenheart Organic Farm in Sharjah. Below, we share the recipes for these two delightful components, essential to crafting this amazing dessert.

POACHED MELON

HALF PORTION SWEET MELON
1 1/2CUP WATER
½ CUP WHITE SUGAR
3 STALKS THYME

Step 1: In a saucepan, combine the water, white sugar, and thyme. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.

Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes to infuse the thyme flavor.

Step 3: Carefully add the sweet melon to the saucepan. Allow the melon to poach gently in the syrup for about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the melon cool in the syrup.

Step 5: Once cooled, transfer the melon and syrup to a container and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the melon to fully absorb the syrup.

HONEYDEW MELON SORBET

1/2 PORTION HONEYDEW MELON
2 TBSP LEMON JUICE
3 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1 1/4 CUPS WATER
1 TSP GLUCOSE POWDER

Step 1: In a pot, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil, then cool.

Step 2: Add lemon juice, glucose powder, and honeydew melon. Blend until smooth using a food processor.

Step 3: Chill the mixture and churn in an ice cream maker according to machine manufacturer’s instructions.

Consumer

This time, we talked to one of our customers, Ahmed, a 26-year-old Emirati, to get his thoughts on the melon from Green Heart Organic Farm that we use in our Ultimate dessert at Teible.
  • How did you find the taste and quality of the melon from ultimate at Teible?

The taste and quality of the melon were fantastic. It was super sweet and juicy, perfect for cooling down on a hot day. You could tell it was really fresh and carefully chosen.How did you find the taste and quality of the melon from ultimate at Teible?

  • What do you think of the melons grown in UAE?

The melons grown in the UAE are really impressive. Considering the climate here, it’s amazing that local farms like Green Heart Organic Farm can produce such delicious melons. Their dedication to organic farming really shows in the taste and texture.

  • What impressed you the most about Teible’s use of local ingredients?

I love how Teible uses local ingredients. It’s great to see a restaurant support local farmers and prioritize fresh, sustainable produce. It makes the food taste even better knowing it’s all locally sourced and environmentally friendly.

  • Do you have any expectations or wishes for Teible’s future menus?

I hope Teible keeps exploring and featuring more local ingredients. It would be cool to see even more creative dishes that highlight the best local produce. I also think it would be nice to have menus that change with the seasons, showcasing what’s fresh throughout the year.   

note

As we conclude this month’s issue of MAGAZINE I, we hope you enjoyed exploring the delightful and refreshing melon from Greenheart Organic Farm and learning how we incorporate it into our dishes at Teible.

Our commitment to sustainability and the use of locally sourced ingredients is at the heart of everything we do. By sharing these stories and insights, we aim to connect you more deeply with the incredible produce and dedicated farmers of the UAE.

This issue highlighted our philosophy of sustainability, seasonality, simplicity, and locality, and how these principles guide our culinary practices. We are proud to support local agriculture and bring the best of what the UAE has to offer to your table.

Stay tuned for next month’s issue, where we will introduce you to another remarkable local ingredient and continue our journey of celebrating the best that the Emirates has to offer. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to bringing you more culinary adventures in the future.