Customer Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our Palestinian products, sourcing, shipping, returns, gifting, and wholesale accounts.
Our Products & Culinary Heritage
What variations of authentic items can I find in your store?
We offer a curated selection of traditional, premium Palestinian agricultural and heritage goods. Our catalog includes regional cold-pressed extra virgin olive oils, authentic za'atar blends, hand-picked cracked olives, traditional Nabulsi cheese, vegetable ghee, foundational grains like freekeh and maftool, culinary spices, old-world Nablus olive oil soaps, and 100% hand-painted artisan ceramics.
What makes Palestinian extra virgin olive oil unique, and what are its qualities?
Palestine is one of the oldest olive-growing regions on Earth. Our olive oil is extracted using traditional cold-pressing methods and remains unfiltered to protect its raw aromatic nuances, natural rich flavor, and nutritional profile. It is globally recognized for its exceptional purity, naturally low acidity levels, and an extraordinarily high concentration of health-promoting polyphenols (antioxidants).
Can you explain the different regional olive oils you carry?
Rather than using generic commercial tiers, we celebrate the unique terroir of Palestine by sourcing distinct regional profiles. We carry premium extra virgin olive oils from Al Quds, Jenin, Salfit, Nablus, and the award-winning Al Rameh. Each features a distinct taste—ranging from delicate and smooth to bold and robustly peppery. They are available in everyday 750ml and 1-liter bottles, as well as heavy-use 16-liter bulk tins.
What is Za'atar, and how do I incorporate it into my meals?
Za'atar is a staple Levantine herb mix blending wild thyme, toasted sesame seeds, tangy sumac, and a touch of salt. We offer specialized regional mixes from Jenin, Salfit, and Qalqilya, alongside pure za'atar leaves (hyssop). It is traditionally enjoyed by dipping fresh bread into extra virgin olive oil and then into the za'atar, used as a seasoning for roasted meats and vegetables, or baked onto flatbreads to make traditional Manakish.
What are Freekeh and Maftool, and how do they differ from basic grains?
Freekeh: A traditional grain made from green durum wheat harvested early, which is then parched and flame-roasted. This ancient process gives it a distinct smoky flavor and preserves high levels of protein, fiber, and iron.
Maftool: Often referred to as Palestinian couscous, Maftool is hand-rolled using whole wheat flour. It features a larger, denser texture and a nuttier flavor than standard commercial couscous, allowing it to hold up perfectly when absorbing rich stews and broths.
What distinguishes your Nabulsi cheese from standard grocery cheeses?
Our Habibah Nabulsi Cheese is an authentic semi-hard white cheese crafted from premium sheep and goat milk, preserved traditionally in brine to maintain its firm, authentic texture. It has a beautiful mild saltiness and high melting point, making it highly versatile for fresh salads, pan-frying, or desalted and melted down for traditional desserts like Kunafa.
Are your grocery items suitable for clean or specialized diets?
Yes. Our single-ingredient products—including our cold-pressed olive oils, pure sumac spice, freekeh, and natural olives—are completely plant-based, making them naturally safe for vegan, vegetarian, and clean-eating diets. Our olive oils are also completely free of gluten and additives, aligning perfectly with Paleo lifestyles.
Authenticity, Sourcing & Social Impact
How can I be certain your products are genuinely from Palestine?
Authenticity is the foundation of Watani & Sons Corp. We do not source from mass third-party brokers. We control our supply chain end-to-end, working directly with local family farms, regional milling facilities, and independent artisan collectives across historic Palestinian lands. Every single product we stock is explicitly imported by us directly from Palestine to our North American distribution center.
Which regions and communities do you partner with?
Our agricultural goods, textiles, and kitchenware are collected from historically rich agricultural hubs and villages across the West Bank, including Jerusalem , Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Salfit, Qalqilya, Tubas, and Sabastiya.
How does my purchase impact local Palestinian communities?
By sourcing directly from smallholder family farmers and traditional artisans, we ensure fair, sustainable economic pathways that bypass exploitative middlemen. Your purchase directly sustains the livelihoods of local farming families, helps preserve centuries-old generational trade practices, and safeguards traditional Palestinian agricultural industries during highly challenging economic times.
Storage & Product Care
What is the best way to store premium extra virgin olive oil?
To preserve the delicate flavor and high antioxidant content of your unfiltered olive oil, keep the bottle or tin tightly sealed in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or kitchen cupboard. Avoid placing it near direct heat sources like ovens or exposing it to constant sunlight. Do not refrigerate the oil, as refrigeration causes it to solidify and turn cloudy, though it will return to a liquid state at room temperature without ruining the quality.
How should I care for the hand-painted ceramic dinnerware?
Because our decorative serving trays, oil dispensers, and coffee sets are entirely handmade and hand-painted by local artisans using traditional glazes, we highly recommend hand-washing them only. To protect the lifespan of the artistry and avoid thermal shock or cracking, do not use them in microwaves or commercial dishwashers.
Shipping, Tracking & Logistics
Where are customer orders packed and shipped from?
All orders are fulfilled and dispatched directly from our main North American headquarters and warehouse located at 10 Wallace Ct, Ottawa, Ontario, K2R 1E1, Canada.
Do you offer shipping across North America and internationally?
Yes. We provide standard reliable shipping options across all of Canada and the United States, and we can selectively accommodate international shipments to Europe dynamically at checkout.
How much will I be charged for shipping?
Shipping rates are not flat. They are calculated automatically at your checkout window based on the actual physical weight of your package and your exact delivery address.
When will my package arrive, and how do I track it?
Processing Time: Due to the delicate nature of packing fragile ceramics, glass, and bulk tins, orders typically take 1 to 8 business days to process and securely pack before being handed to the courier.
Tracking: The moment your package leaves our Ottawa facility, an automated email containing your live courier tracking link will be sent to the email address you provided at checkout.
Can I modify or cancel an order after it has been finalized?
Because our fulfillment team works quickly to dispatch items, changes cannot always be guaranteed. If you need to add, remove, or cancel an item, please email us immediately at info@watanilandsons.com. If a tracking number has already been generated for your order, the package is already in transit and can no longer be edited or canceled.
Returns, Damages & Claims
What is your official return and exchange policy?
Fragile Goods & Non-Perishables: We offer a 14-day return window from the date of delivery for non-perishable items like unused ceramics or clothing. Items must be in their original packaging and completely undamaged. The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs.
Food & Grocery Items: Due to health, safety, and food safety regulations, all food items, oils, cheese, ghee, and spices are strictly FINAL SALE and cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstances.
What should I do if an item arrives broken or leaking?
While we use heavy-duty protective packaging, transit accidents can happen. If a ceramic piece arrives broken or an oil container arrives leaking, you must notify us within 48 hours of delivery. Please email info@watanilandsons.com with clear photos showing:
- The broken or damaged product.
- The inside and outside of the shipping box.
- The shipping label clearly showing your address.
Once verified, we will issue a replacement or store credit.
Support, Gifting & Commercial Accounts
What payment methods do you accept online?
Our checkout uses a highly secure encryption framework. We accept all major international credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, corporate payment profiles, and digital express checkouts via Shopify Payments.
Do you accommodate corporate gifting or price-free gift shipping?
Yes. If you are purchasing a gift bundle for a friend or relative, you can add custom notes at checkout. We ensure that our gift shipments do not contain physical pricing receipts inside the box. We also offer Digital Gift Cards that are delivered instantly to your recipient via email.
How do I apply for a commercial B2B wholesale account?
As one of the largest direct importers of authentic Palestinian goods in Canada and the USA, we readily supply grocery stores, boutique retailers, and restaurants. We offer high-capacity commercial sizes such as 16L oil tins, 1.25kg cheese tubs, and 15kg ghee formats. Businesses can apply directly via our website's Wholesale Portal or find us on the wholesale platform Faire.
How do I contact customer support if I have an issue?
If you experience any issues with your online order, please reach out to our dedicated support channels:
Email: info@watanilandsons.com
Phone support: +1 (613) 854-7777