Products that result from a fusion of Portuguese, African and Arab flavors, and a desire to support refugees.
Portuguese almonds combined with tahini and dates - two essential in the Arab world - while lupines (tremoço) heats up with " Berbere " - a mixture of spices used mainly in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Of course, we couldn't leave peanut butter out, is a universal classic.
HOBI brings flavors inspired by different countries, with the aim of supporting different humanitarian organizations. 10% of profits directed to non-governmental humanitarian organizations.
In March 2018, shortly after finishing my degree in Social Communication, and at the peak of the refugee crisis and deaths in the Mediterranean , I decided to put my backpack and get to know this humanitarian conflict up close. It was not needed to travel thousands of kilometers as even here in Europe, in France, human rights are being violated on a daily basis. I traveled to northern France, where I was for about a year and a half, as a humanitarian support volunteer , providing support in the distribution of essential material goods, food, and services (transport to hospitals, public services, etc.).
During this period I met hundreds of people from a range of countries such as Eritrea, Sudan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Gambia, etc. Children, young orphans, families, men, women, all with the dream of achieving a life of peace and safety. Despite the precarious and inhumane situations for their survival, a distribution of food always brought a little joy. There were chats about cooking, favorite foods , recipes, flavors.
It was through these conversations that I learned what " injera ", " berber ", " chai ", " tahini " is, in addition to the wonderful use of peanut butter as a staple for many dishes in central and eastern Africa .
Returning to Portugal shortly before the pandemic, there were not many job opportunities, so I came up with the idea of sharing the exotic flavors I had discovered.
Thus emerged Hobi , which was to be called habibi or habibti ("my darling" for men/women in Arabic), two of the most used forms of treatment among volunteers and refugees . In Arabic, hobi is the term for " my love ". From love, compassion, hope and affection this project was born. With a lot of gluttony in the mix, thanks to ingredients that come to us from all over the world and from our own territory.
To expand this project, there are many materials needed, from production equipment to advertising material, and maybe one day, a small space where we can open to the public and meet those who have supported us during these months.
Solidarity is underrated, a small change goes along the way. Joined by some nut butter.
Manteiga de Avelãs, Cacau, Tâmaras
