Biscuit House | Ajloun

Information

Landmark: Biscuit House
City: Ajloun
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Biscuit House, Ajloun, Jordan, Asia

The Biscuit House (Dar al-Biskit) is a community-driven culinary workshop and social enterprise located in the village of Orjan, adjacent to the Ajloun-forest-reserve_ajloun" class="underline">Ajloun Forest Reserve in northern Jordan. Managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), it focuses on preserving traditional northern Jordanian baking techniques while supporting local women artisans.

Visual Characteristics

The Biscuit House is a rustic, stone-built facility designed to blend with the traditional architecture of the Ajloun Highlands. The interior features a professional kitchen and workshop space filled with the scent of fresh dough and local herbs. The outdoor area offers a wooden terrace with panoramic views of the verdant Ajloun Forest and the surrounding limestone hills.

Location & Access Logistics

The workshop is located in the village of Orjan, approximately 15km from Ajloun city and 85km from Amman. It is situated within the grounds of the Royal Academy for the Conservation of Nature. Access is primarily via private vehicle or taxi from Ajloun. It serves as a key destination on the "Soap House Trail" and the "Ajloun Houses Trail," which are popular hiking routes starting from the Ajloun Forest Reserve headquarters.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The project was established as part of the RSCN’s "Wild Jordan" initiative to create sustainable, nature-based livelihoods for communities surrounding protected areas. The bakery uses high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, including premium olive oil from the Orjan valley, hand-picked herbs, and regional wheat. It plays a critical role in documenting and reviving near-lost recipes from the northern highlands.

Key Highlights & Activities

The signature experience is the hands-on baking workshop where visitors learn to make Kusmat, a traditional northern Jordanian "twice-baked" bread or rusk enriched with olive oil and aniseed, traditionally served during holidays. Other activities include making Maamoul (date-filled semolina cookies) and sampling various "olive oil crisps" and tahini-based sweets. Workshops typically conclude with a tea session on the terrace overlooking the reserve.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes a workshop kitchen, a retail shop selling freshly baked goods and RSCN nature products, and a small café area. It is fully accessible and features public restrooms. 4G/5G mobile signal is strong. The Biscuit House is part of a local cluster that includes the Soap House and Calligraphy House, allowing for a combined cultural itinerary.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is during the spring (March–May) when the surrounding forest is at its most vibrant. The house is open year-round, typically from 09:00 to 16:00. Booking in advance is recommended for guided baking experiences, which usually last between 1 and 2 hours.

Facts & Legends

The products from the Biscuit House are famously additive-free and are distributed to specialty "Nature Shops" across Jordan. A local culinary fact is that the Kusmat bread was historically designed for shepherds and travelers because its dry, twice-baked nature allowed it to remain edible for weeks without refrigeration while providing high energy from the dense olive oil content.