Béja: A gourmet journey between Zlebya, Mkhariq and artisanal cheese

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Hello steemians,

About 108 km from my home, nestled in the heart of northwest Tunisia, is Béja, a city with a rich heritage and gastronomy well anchored in local traditions, known for its green countryside and its artisanal know-how, it attracts visitors every day in search of authentic flavors, my trip to Béja had a very specific objective: to savor the legendary Zlebya and Mkhariq, sweet treats renowned throughout the Tunisia, and visit one of the most famous cheese factories in the region, where milk is transformed into true culinary treasures.

Arriving in Beja, I was immediately plunged into a lively atmosphere. The market streets were crowded with traders and customers busy buying fresh produce, under large colorful umbrellas, the stalls were overflowing with vegetables, fruits, spices and artisanal products while the smell of local specialties tickled my nostrils.

The sellers, with their contagious enthusiasm, never stopped praising their products, slipping through the crowd, I headed towards the place I was most impatiently waiting for: the famous pastry shop specializing in Zlebya and Mkhariq.

In the shop, a fascinating spectacle unfolded before my eyes: artisans, dressed in black and wearing white caps, were busy behind large trays filled with these sweets, the Zlebya, a bright yellow, was fried to perfection before being plunged into a bath of fragrant honey, its spiral shape and crunchy texture give it a particular charm.

Right next door, the Mkhariq, darker and rounder, seemed just as appetizing, their soft dough, soaked in honey, released an irresistible scent, in front of the counter, a long line of customers waited to obtain these much-prized delicacies, especially during the month of Ramadan, after a short wait, I obtained a generous portion, wrapped in a plastic bag marked with the name of the pastry, I couldn't resist the urge to taste it on the spot, from the first bite, the crunch of the Zlebya gave way to a sweet sweetness, while the Mkhariq, with their soft texture, proved to be just as exquisite, a pure delight that was well worth the trip!

After this gourmet break, my trip to Béja could not be complete without a visit to the famous cheese dairy "La Ferme", an institution in the region, located in the city center, this shop attracts artisanal cheese lovers every day, sometimes coming from very far away to savor its specialties.

As soon as I arrived, a long queue in front of the door testified to the popularity of the place, on the facade, the logo representing a sheep's head clearly indicated the orientation of the shop: a paradise for lovers of farm cheese.

Once inside, I found myself facing a large counter where cheeses of all kinds were displayed, the shelves were filled with tommes, fresh cheeses and other local specialties, among the most popular, the Béja cheese matured in sheep's milk stood out for its slightly grainy texture and its pronounced taste.

One of the cheesemakers advised me to try their fresh white cheese, a creamy delight perfect with honey or olives. I also spotted yellow cheeses with natural rinds, some sprinkled with nigella seeds, which promised an explosion of flavors, after a few tastings, I decided to leave with several cheeses: a fresh cheese for breakfasts, a matured Tomme for more sophisticated tastings, and a spicy cheese to accompany a good traditional bread.

My trip to Béja ended with total satisfaction, between the exquisite sweetness of Zlebya and Mkhariq and the intense flavors of the farmer's cheese, this gourmet escapade was worth every kilometer traveled.

As I took the road back, I promised myself that I would come back soon, if only to relive this unique experience and bring, once again, these culinary treasures home. Béja is not only a city rich in history, but also a mecca of taste in Tunisia, where gastronomic traditions are passed down with passion and know-how.

Prices of Culinary Specialties in Béja

Product	Price in Tunisian Dinar (TND)	Price in Dollars ($)	Price in Steem (STEEM)
Zlebya (1 kg)	12 TND	$3.50	25.10 STEEM
Mkhariq (1 kg)	12 TND	$3.50	25.10 STEEM
Cheese Ball	7.5 TND	$2.20	15.80 STEEM