Steel-cut oats is a little tricky to find in Arab countries, but not to worry — it is there.
I was able to find steel-cut oats in Dubai UAE and Riyadh Saudi Arabia. It goes by another name in these Arab countries. The name is Jarish.
Jarish can be found in small bags sometimes in or near the spices aisle in supermarkets. But look in supermarkets where Arab locals shop — not in supermarkets in expat or foreign nationality neighborhoods. For example, in Dubai, you can find Jarish in co-op society supermarkets — not in Carrefour. But if you’re looking for steel-cut oats in Dubai, you could also find the stuff by its English name in the organic foods store in The Dubai Mall.
As for Riyadh and the rest of Saudi Arabia, Jarish is the main ingredient of a national dish by the same name, so you can probably find it in any supermarket.
I don’t know if Jarish/steel-cut oats can easily be found in supermarkets in levant or north African Arab countries, like Syria and Egypt. Email me if you know about this.
By the way, if you like steel-cut oats, try this breakfast recipe. It’s very healthy and makes you feel good and full (but light) in the morning. I been having this steel-cut oats breakfast every day for the past couple of months and I’m yet to get bored with it.
