A stylish pink tin bottle filled with smooth olive oil traveling the world like a pop icon, the story of YA ALBI olive oil, made in the West Bank, is worth a trip. Yasmeen shares with us her inspiring initiative; reminding us that every drop counts.
At the end of 2023, during ‘a tough time of grief and reflection,’ a daughter and her mother were looking for a way to support their homeland. A second and third generation Palestinian-Americans, the pair decided to produce olive oil in the West Bank, that they would export, with a goal to send some solace to the people of Gaza, and find their own path to healing. They also had in mind to help farmers in the West Bank by making sure they would be paid premium prices for the olive oil they produced, a fair compensation for their hard work, and hoping to create a ripple effect in their communities. Yasmeen and her mother come from a family of farmers and olive oil lovers, ‘so I feel like it’s in our blood!’ she says. ‘For us, starting this company has been a meaningful way to give back and make a difference during a challenging period.’ Bringing Yasmeen’s fashion background to the table, with her mother’s lifelong activism, they have been learning the ropes of running a business as they go along, and the ins and outs of olive oil production. A journey that has been quite hands-on with a steep learning curve, ‘but we’re super passionate about it and always working to improve.’ Throughout the months of October to December, the orchards with their thousands year old olive trees are bustling for harvest season, and the olives are freshly pressed in the West Bank. After that, the oil is shipped to the United States and bottled in fashionable pink tins, in California. Yasmeen and her mother oversee the entire process to ensure the freshest, highest-quality oil possible; a flavor ‘rich, robust, slightly peppery.’
With their olive oil that evokes a taste of Palestine, the entrepreneurs hope to share their heritage with the world and bring some relief the people back home. All proceeds from YA ALBI are donated to HEAL Palestine NGO which supports health and education in Gaza. ‘Every bottle helps us contribute to this larger goal making each purchase meaningful.’ With their carefully curated ingredient, they offer a window into their history and a bit of home to everyone missing it. A story they choose to tell through food, an everyday expression of love; from an ingredient inked in tradition that a loved one sends us, to a patiently prepared meal, or a recipe transmitted from generations. For Yasmeen it’s ‘my mom’s makdous, those pickled, stuffed eggplants, amazing with YA ALBI olive oil.’ She is also a big fan of starting her day with a classic; a bit of olive oil and some labneh, ‘it’s such a simple combo, but the olive oil really makes it pop.’ YA ALBI olive oil is already available on their website as well at Edy’s Grocer in New York and Community Goods in Los Angeles. The two entrepreneurs are working on ‘some exciting new projects,’ including a line of merchandise that will soon be available and food products, inspired by enduring family recipes. The mother, daughter duo are also collaborating with Ya Habibi Market, an ecommerce platform dedicated to support communities, and working to expand to home and body products. ‘There’s a lot in the works and I can’t wait to share it all!’ Yasmeen tells us. From the olive trees of their land to homes across the globes, with YA ALBI, Yasmeen and her mom remind us that it is through transmission, that a place, a people, and millions of memories, stay alive.
