It is a popular dish in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially in Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah provinces. Its name reflects its random preparation which relies on practicality. Al-Hesah derives from the prevailing local terminology of the Arabic verb (has,) which involves mixing and combining without coordination. Al-Hesah's basic ingredients include seedless dates, ghee, and flour, and they are mixed by hand. Moreover, flour can also be replaced with bread crumbs, and additional components can be added to the dish, depending on personal preferences.
Al-Hesah, in terms of the designation and the dish itself, is part of the oral heritage of Saudi popular culture. Al-Hesah was mentioned in a number of popular proverbs, such as in the following saying: Umm Qu’ais and Abu Qu’ais are each mixing their own Hesah, which implies that each partner turned a blind eye, when the other was engaged in suspicious activities
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