Startup of the Week: House of Honey: Offering nature’s health tonic in its purest form

Updated 07 May 2019
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Startup of the Week: House of Honey: Offering nature’s health tonic in its purest form

Honey is nature’s gift to humanity. With so much reliance on commercial medicines and antibiotics, it is easy to overlook the amazing antiseptic and antibacterial properties that honey contains.

Rich in antioxidants, honey has many benefits linked to cardiovascular health, the treatment of wounds and acid reflux, and its popularity as a home remedy for ailments such as coughs or pharyngitis.

Saudi-based brand House of Honey aims to raise awareness of the benefits of the product and encourage people to use it as part of a lifestyle routine.

The business venture was established in the second quarter of 2017 by Saudi industrial engineers Mohammed Jamjoom, Abdulrahman Shalabi and Hassan Mutwalli.

“The idea came in late 2016 when we used pure honey as an energy booster,” Shalabi told Arab News. “When we found that there was a lack of reliable sources for trusted, pure honey in our market, we started to search for natural honey for our own consumption.

“We were able to find a trusted source for our use. During the process, we saw an opportunity in the market and pursued it. We realized that a high-quality Saudi brand would gain consumer trust and meet high expectations, while also contributing to a healthier future and well-being,” he added.

House of Honey currently offers 250g, 500g and 1kg jars of Hadrami Sidr, a type of honey specific to the Sidr tree in Hadramout, Yemen. Customers in Jeddah and Riyadh can have honey delivered for no charge and can find House of Honey products in concept stores Homegrown Market in Jeddah and Healthy Market in Riyadh.

House of Honey is developing its website to make it more user-friendly, while looking to increase its core distribution network with a range of natural honey products.

Shalabi said the company aimed to maintain consistency of quality and reliability of availability for its products.

Nutrition experts advise people to consume 250 grams of honey per month.


Where We Are Going Today: Zeila in Riyadh

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Updated 06 January 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Zeila in Riyadh

  • If you want an Instagrammable dish, check out the breakfast garden — multigrain sourdough topped with beetroot cream and a bed of avocados, edamame and peas, served with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce

As far as breakfast spots go, Riyadh’s main districts have some decent choices. But head east, and you will find a hidden gem in Al-Hamra you should not miss.

We recently discovered Zeila — somewhere that offers great food options without the wait times. 

We started with the Croque Madame — a fried egg with hollandaise sauce atop toasted multigrain sourdough bread, served open-faced with smoked turkey, Emmental cheese, Dijon mustard cream and melted mozzarella. The well-balanced flavors come together smoothly without feeling too heavy for breakfast.

The shakshuka is another strong choice. This wholesome Zeila signature dish features confit bell peppers in olive oil, spicy cumin-tomato sauce, and comes topped with two poached eggs and coriander. It is served with multigrain sourdough.

If you want an Instagrammable dish, check out the breakfast garden — multigrain sourdough topped with beetroot cream and a bed of avocados, edamame and peas, served with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.

On the heartier side, the mouthwatering selection of egg dishes includes a ribs Benedict, carbonara croissant, and a black truffle Benedict.

We couldn’t leave our sweet tooth hanging, so we opted for the Russian pancakes for a sweet, yet not overly so, ending to the meal.

But there are more innovative dishes, such as the Om Ali, which is prepared with freshly toasted croissant slices soaked in a mixture of milk and cream, complemented with a selection of nuts and locally made fresh cream. There is also a creme brulee crepe, or banoffee French toast made with salted caramel and grilled banana, served with vanilla ice cream.

The service was great, though the plastic utensils provided were disappointing.

However, Zeila’s interior is what really makes the trip worthwhile. The space, warm with natural light from the high glass walls, is spacious yet retains a comfortable ambience.

Adorned with hammock swing chairs, cozy leather couches, an outdoor seating area and luscious plants, it’s a great place to explore this winter whether you’re looking for a full meal or a cup of coffee while you do some work.