Summer season activities on darb el karam start with mulberry harvest in June and July.
The old black mulberry trees or kboush shami are the remnants of the abundant orchards that were once shaping the landscape of West Bekaa and Shouf villages.
Silk production in Lebanon goes back to the middle ages. Up to the 1950’s, sericulture, or the rearing of silkworm and the production of silk, was widely practiced in Mount Lebanon and the West Bekaa. Following the civil war, and after the introduction of “nylon”, sericulture ceased which lead to a decline in mulberry cultivation.
The mulberry season was locally known as the season of prosperity, since traditional silk weaving was an important economic activity. Mulberry trees – also known as the golden trees – were grown for their leaves, which were essential food for silk worms.
Mulberry fruits are eaten fresh and prepared into syrup, jams and compotes.
Mulberry activities on darb el karam include fruit harvesting and processing in Kherbet Kanafar as well as tasting both sweet and savory mulberry specialties.
In the nearby village of Saghbine, make a stop at Joseph Masrouaa‘s ice-cream and enjoy a unique experience, tasting Arabic Ice-cream made of fresh goat milk and fresh mulberry fruits! No artificial colors added!