Martine Zaarour (Jar Thuraya)
Martine Zaarour is the founder of Jar Thuraya, a business that manufactures handcrafted preserves inspired by traditional Lebanese cuisine.
“Growing up, I witnessed my grandmother being the sole provider of natural preserves, and I saw many other friends engaging in seasonal handcrafts,” said Martine. “This experience opened my eyes to the vital role they played in preserving our food heritage and Lebanese culture. I felt compelled to advocate for these remarkable individuals, acknowledge their efforts and provide them with financial security.”
In 2020, Martine embarked on a journey to do just that—eventually leading to the launch of Jar Thuraya.
A team member at Jar Thuraya prepares the jars
The MISSION BEHIND JAR THURAYA
The mission of Jar Thuraya is threefold: preserve food heritage, support women, and promote sustainability.
Preserving food heritage
Each product is inspired by the recipes shared by women working at Jar Thuraya and made with ingredients local to Lebanon—ensuring that their recipes and flavors are passed down to future generations.
Supporting women
During a busy season, Jar Thuraya partners with five local cooperatives that employ roughly 50 women to help ensure they can keep up with orders. Through this, these women are provided with financial security for their families and can add their own touch to the passing down of Lebanese traditions.
Promoting sustainability
Jar Thurara emphasizes the use of natural ingredients and artisanal production methods to maintain sustainability throughout the business and manufacturing process.
From architecture to food products
With a background in and passion for architecture, running a business in the food industry isn’t something that Martine ever expected.
“I never thought I would be working in something other than design and construction, and never would I ever imagine working with food—but life has its way of bringing out the best in us,” shared Martine. “Believe in yourself, believe in your dreams and capacities, be selfish, surround yourself with people that are good for you, and push yourself to become a better version of yourself every day. It’s okay to change careers and learn new things—as long as it’s done with passion and empathy.”
Currently, Jar Thuraya distributes products throughout Lebanon, Australia, Qatar, France, and online within the USA. However, Martine hopes to have expanded to additional countries in the next five years, “sharing the flavors of Lebanese cuisine and promoting cultural exchange through its artisanal handcrafts.”
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