Shafaq News-Najaf

In Najaf's OldCity, one of Iraq's oldest ice cream traditions continues to draw visitorsdespite the spread of modern frozen desserts. Prepared by hand using techniquesdating back to 1939, Najaf's traditional dondurma has become part of the city'scultural identity and a fixture for pilgrims and tourists alike.

Inside a modestshop, the rhythmic sound of wooden paddles striking metal containers stillaccompanies the preparation of the dessert, a method that has changed littleover the past eight decades.

MohammedSharba, grandson of founder Hajj Jassim Al-Damirji, said the family haspreserved the original recipe and continues to make the ice cream entirely byhand.

"Ourfamily has remained committed to the tradition established by our grandfathermore than 80 years ago," Sharba told Shafaq News. "The manualpreparation gives the ice cream its distinctive texture and flavor, whichgenerations of Najaf residents and visitors have come to associate with thecity."

The dessert isprepared from fresh milk, qaymar —Iraq's traditional clotted cream— and salep,an orchid-root flour widely used in Middle Eastern ice cream to create itscharacteristic chewy texture. It is typically topped with pistachios,vermicelli and saffron, alongside newer additions such as Nutella and baklava.

Sharba saidproduction is carried out daily using fresh ingredients rather than long-termstorage, helping preserve the quality that has sustained the business fordecades.

The shop hasbecome a regular stop for visitors arriving from across Iraq, particularly fromKarbala, Basra and Baghdad.

For MohammedNajeh, who traveled from Al-Diwaniyah with his family, tasting the traditionalice cream has become an essential part of every visit to Najaf.

"Our tripis never complete without stopping here," he said. "Its flavor isunlike any other because it is still prepared by hand using naturalingredients."

Despite rapidchanges in Iraq's dessert industry and the growing popularity of internationalice cream brands, Sharba said demand for the traditional product has remainedstrong.

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