Prickly Pears Revitalize Markets in Aseer, Boost Tourism

Abha, August 12, 2025, SPA -- Each year, prickly pears, known locally as Al-Barshumi, return to the markets of Aseer region, marking a distinctive season that blends nutritional value with tourism appeal.
   The prickly pear season in Aseer brings renewed vitality to fruit markets, driven by vacationers and visitors eager to purchase and taste the fruit. Markets and roads leading to parks are adorned with the pear's varied colors, from green to yellow to red, reflecting the vibrancy of seasonal agriculture and its role in stimulating commerce and promoting rural tourism, one of the highlights of Aseer’s summer.
   Agricultural engineer Hassan Al-Wadii, a researcher at the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa), noted that the prickly pear is a succulent plant from the cactus family, thriving in hot, dry regions worldwide. Its varieties include the Indian prickly pear, the most widespread globally, with colors ranging from yellow, red, orange, and light green; the purple prickly pear, distinguished by its dark flowers and fruit; the wild prickly pear, which grows naturally in arid environments; and the bright red variety, notable for its pigment-rich hue.
   He highlighted that prickly pears are rich in fiber, aiding digestive health, and vitamin C, which boosts immunity, adding that they also provide essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, along with antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds that combat inflammation and support heart health. Studies suggest they help lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients, protect the liver from oxidative stress, regulate blood pressure, reduce harmful cholesterol, and hydrate the body during hot weather.
   -- SPA