My kids love Bamba and Bissli. They loved them in the states, and that love affair has not died since we arrived in Israel, where you can by lunch size packages in bulk and Bamba comes in an assortment of flavors – from chocolate filled to strawberry. Osem, makers of all things snack-food in Israel, now even has a caramel corn called Popco that has become a favorite in our household. Earlier this year, when the Bissli truck was hanging out in front of the local supermarket on Emek Refaim, the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever to have their picture snapped in front of the truck. So when we discovered, Osem has a Bamba Factory tour we couldn’t make our reservations fast enough.
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Ironically Jake, our eight year, old has taken a liking to the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the Gene Wilder version of course). And as we stood outside of the colorfully decorated factory in Holon, with the giant Bamba Baby sitting on top, we couldn’t help but feel a little bit like the golden ticket holders waiting for Willy Wonka to emerge and usher them in to the chocolate factory.
At our appointed time, we were guided into one end of the factory where there is a room with Bamba shaped pillows and small tables. The kids took seats on the floor and our Tour Guides filled large bowls full of Bamba for munching as they proceeded to give a demonstration of what goes into Bamba and how it’s made. Bamba is basically a puffed corn product that is coated with liquid peanut butter. It’s definitely peanut-y and not overly sweet and if you’re a fan, fresh Bamba can be completely addictive. I’ve also had more than one Israeli woman tell me that kids are given Bamba from the time they are babies and that’s why there are no peanut allergies in this country – but I really have no way to verify that statement.
Once the demonstration was over, and we were sufficiently stuffed full of Bamba, we made our way back along the outside of the factory and into the “Heder shel Bamba” or the "Room of Bamba." This is clearly the lair of the “Bamba Baby” and after taking a seat in one of the rows, you are given 3-D glasses and a hair net to put on. You are then shown a really cute 3D cartoon about how Bamba is made, featuring the Bamba Baby of course, all the while wearing the hair nets for great effect. At the end of the movie the unthinkable happens and the Bamba Baby in the flesh (okay in costume) comes and greets all the children, dances around, and hangs out with the crowd till it is time to go tour the actual factory.
And the factory is cool. There say there are over 500,000 bags of Bamba produced there daily and the product is shipped all over the world. While we were there we happened to see them producing Bamba with Arabic writing. And given that we had just watched a movie about the production, it was easy to recognize the function of different pieces of equipment in the factory. Sorry, no pictures allowed inside the actual production area.
As the tour wraps up, each person is given a bag of Bamba and some cute toys for the kids. The Bamba Baby was still on call for pictures and to engage the kids even more. Osem has clearly invested a great deal in this venture, it is a big part of what they do at this particular facility, and we were totally sold – it was a big fun! And if you thought my kids liked Bamba before, well they’re completely invested now. In fact, one of them has decided that he is saving his bag of Bamba to bring back as a gift for his friend in the states. He knows he can get it there – but this bag is special.
The Bamba Factory Tour is in Holon and barring a peanut allergy in the family, it’s a must do! You must reserve your tour in advance and all tours are given in Hebrew but are easy to follow. Our guide also happened to speak perfect English so it was easy to ask her questions along the way. And as they say at the Bamba Factory – “Ain Ain Ain Cmo Bamba!” (loosely translated – There’s Nothing Like Bamba!). To schedule a tour call: 03-559-3024.
