Unique method of preserving fresh grapes for up to 6 months by Afghans

Gangina is a traditional method of keeping grapes and other fruits fresh for several months, by keeping them in sealed containers made of wet soil.

Grapes are difficult to keep fresh for long periods of time, even with refrigeration, but it seems that Afghans have long used an ancient method to keep the fruit fresh for consumption during the winter months, when the weather is so cold that the fruit is difficult to keep fresh.

Afghans have an ancient method of keeping fruit fresh longer.

Gangina is a traditional method of keeping grapes and other fruits fresh for several months, by keeping them in hollow "spheres" made of wet soil.

This ingenious preservation technique involves keeping fresh grapes in a special 'crate' like dish made of two layers of wet soil. The crate is left to dry in the sun and then stored in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.

If stored properly, a gangina barrel can keep fall-picked grapes fresh until the following spring.

'We should remove the bad grapes first, then put them in gangina. If we put the bad ones in gangina, it will spoil all the other grapes ,' said farmer Abdul Manan, adding that this was imperative, as only healthy grapes were stored this way, as one bad grape could spoil the whole batch.

Gangina containers need to be airtight and kept in a cool place to keep the fruit inside fresh. In winter or spring, when the demand for the fruit increases and people are willing to pay a price, farmers like Abdul Manan sell the grapes preserved in gangina and make a profit. Each container holds about a kilogram of grapes.

'We are storing a lot of grapes in Gangina and will sell them next winter or spring ,' grape farmer Askar told the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture. 'By this method we will get a good income.'

Afghan people have a special way of preserving grapes that keeps the fruit as fresh as when it was first picked after half a year. (Photo: Agriculture & Livestock).

It is known that this small preservation method of the Afghan people has existed since ancient times and is still used today. Not only used to preserve grapes, Afghan people also use this method to preserve many other types of fruit to sell during the winter months - the time when there are few types of fruit. In this way, grape farmers all have a good income.

Grapes are a fruit that international tourists often eat when they come to Afghanistan. Grapes grown in Afghanistan are famous for their special freshness . In particular, tourists are impressed and delighted to know that these grapes were harvested many months ago, thanks to traditional preservation methods, they have this freshness.

With fertile soil and a warm, dry climate in the Hindu Kush mountains, Afghanistan has a rich variety of fruits. According to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, at least 1.5 million tons of fruit are produced each year, but only a third of that is exported, and fresh fruit is eaten with most meals.

Southern Afghanistan produces most of its pomegranates and melons, while Mr Ziaulhaq's village in central Afghanistan is home to apples, cherries, apricots and grapes. The region is particularly famous for its grapes.

Previously, a Malaysian company also launched a unique fresh food preservation product, using only a sticker on the outside of fresh fruit.