In an exclusive interview with GIZ Lebanon, Balsam Abou Shacra, founder of Turas, discusses the company’s journey of blending tradition with innovation to address challenges in Lebanon’s olive sector. Turas transforms surplus olives into a unique paste, creating new market opportunities for local farmers. With support from GIZ and Berytech, Turas is revitalizing Lebanon’s olive heritage while driving sustainable growth.
Read More
Ingredients: 2 cups cucumber, diced 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, diced (red or yellow) 1/2 cup olives, pitted and halved 1/4 cup Turas olive paste 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon dried oregano Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Instructions: Prepare the vegetables: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the red onion, and dice the bell pepper. Halve the Kalamata olives and set aside. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive paste, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, sliced onion, diced bell pepper, and Kalamata olives. Add the olive paste dressing
Read More
Turas made waves at the June 2023 Gourmet Market Event, winning Best Product in the Savory Category and Best Product Taste Across All Categories. Competing against top-tier products, Turas scored an outstanding 95.5% approval rating, reflecting its exceptional flavor and quality. These achievements affirm Turas’ dedication to crafting products that honor tradition and inspire innovation.
Read More
Turas was selected for Berytech's REAF Program and, after three months of pre-incubation and six months of incubation, emerged as the winner. The program provided essential training, funding, and networking, enabling Turas to scale and advance its mission of preserving Lebanon’s olive heritage.
Read More
Lebanon's premium olives, particularly the Baladi variety, have been cultivated for centuries, representing a deep connection to the land and tradition. These olives are the foundation of Lebanon’s olive industry, known for their robust, tangy flavor. At Turas, we honor this rich heritage by creating innovative products, such as our squeezable olive paste, that bring the authentic taste of Lebanon to modern kitchens.
Read More