Arabica Food & Spice

Jordanian Jad was born in 1962, in a small village called Azraq next to a wetland oasis in the Eastern desert. He grew up, rolling around in the sand dunes, picking desert capers and wild herbs and taking quiet moments to watch the abundant wildlife activity on his doorstep. Naturally he developed an affinity with the elements and the free spirited nature of migrating birds that stopped to rest on their travels between Africa and Europe. Eventually he joined the birds on their travels and settled in London. But after some time realised he missed the beguiling flavours of his homelands - and a spark was ignited and Arabica was born.

On a cold autumn morning in 1999, Jad rocked up to Borough Market for his first day's trade. Armed with little more than an 8ft trestle table and a cool box of fresh mezze, he'd lovingly made, less than a half a mile away in a small live-work space on Wilds Rent Road around the corner from Bermondsey Street.