Tag Archives: Organic food in Dubai

Ripe hosts monthly pop-up night market | BurJuman Mall| Dubai

The Ripe Food and Craft Market will be popping up in BurJuman, for a monthly Night Market in August and September as part of the Flower Power exhibition in celebration of Dubai Summer Surprises.

The Night Market will include fresh organic fruit and veggies from Ripe and a whole host of vendors, including local SME businesses and artisans.

“We’re really excited to be working with BurJuman during Dubai Summer Surprises to help showcase the city at its best. Bringing the Night Market, with Ripes organic veggies and unique range of talented artisans and local SME businesses to BurJuman allows us to reach more of the community and that is always our aim; to share our passion with everyone in Dubai!” – Becky Balderstone, Ripe Founder.

犀利士
justify;”>The Night Market, presented by Ripe can be found on the 3rd floor of the BurJuman Mall, under the beautiful glass ceiling, on the following dates:

Thursday, August, 27th 5:00pm to 10:00pm

Thursday, September 17th 5:00pm to 10:00pm

For more information, visit

Ripe Market ME

What tops the Dirty Dozen list? | The Dirty Dozen Fruits & Vegetables 2013

What is the Dirty Dozen?

These are fruits and vegetables that have been tested for the amount of pesticide residues in certain fresh crops and since most foods in Dubai have been imported mainly from Europe and US, it is important to know what to select for your children and family.  Going organic can be very expensive in Dubai especially compared to the UK.  When I lived in the UK for over 20 years, I really didn’t appreciate that farms were just down the road growing lovely fresh organic vegetables.   Now that I am a mother living in Dubai, organic really means a lot to my family.  I am relieved that demand for organic in the UAE has boomed and the last 2 years has seen a growth of organic vegetable markets.  There are several options like Ripe Market and Greenheart Organic Markets that also offer home deliveries that sell more affordable vegetables and fruits.

If your budget is tight focus on buying organic with the Dirty Dozen listed below whilst buying conventional from the second group below (The Clean Fifteen).  Please note however that this list does change so please check it directly with the website for more up-to-date lists.

Quoting from the EWG.org website

Some interesting facts

  • Every sample of imported nectarines tested positive for pesticides, followed by apples; 99% of apple samples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue.
  • The average potato had much higher total weight of pesticides than any other food crop.
  • A single grape tested positive for 15 pesticides.  The same was true for a single sweet bell pepper.  Single samples of celery, cherry tomatoes and sweet bells peppers tested positive for 13 different pesticides apeice.

‘EWG analysed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S.Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to come up with rankings for these popular fresh produce items.  All 12 items are listed below from worst to best. (lower numbers = more pesticides)’

Dirty Dozen 2013

  1. Apples
  2. Celery
  3. Cherry Tomatoes
  4. Cucumbers
  5. Grapes
  6. Hot Peppers
  7. Nectarines – imported
  8. Peaches
  9. Potatoes
  10. Spinach
  11. Strawberries
  12. Sweet bell peppers
  13. ++Kale
  14. ++Courgettes

The Clean Fifteen for 2013

  1. Asparagus
  2. Avocadoes
  3. Cabbage
  4. Cantaloupe
  5. Sweet corn
  6. Eggplant
  7. Grapefruit
  8. Kiwi
  9. Mangoes
  10. Mushrooms
  11. Onions
  12. Papayas
  13. Pineapples
  14. Sweet peas (frozen)
  15. Sweet Potatoes