{{Short description|Afghan mud-straw containers for preserving grapes}}{{Italic title}}thumb|upright=1.15|A paper-lined {{Lang|prs-latn|kangina}}, opened to access the grapes stored inside {{Lang|prs-latn|'''Kangina'''}} (Dari{{efn|{{IPA|prs|kʰäŋ.giː.ná}}}}: {{nq|کنگینه}}, {{Literally|treasure}}),<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=کنگینه؛ نگهداری انگور به گونه سنتی {{!}} MAIL |url=https://mail.gov.af/node/1930 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=mail.gov.af}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Hejazi |first1=Ziaurrahman |last2=Nawakht |first2=Noor Agha |last3=Hedayat |first3=Yar Mohammad |last4=Giordani |first4=Edgardo |date=2023-03-01 |title=Styrofoam Packaging as Alternative of the Afghan Traditional "Gangina" Container to Extend Quality of 'Taifi' Grapes in Room Temperature Storage |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s41783-022-00148-1 |journal=Journal of Packaging Technology and Research |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=35–41 |doi=10.1007/s41783-022-00148-1 |s2cid=255079194 |issn=2520-1042|url-access=subscription }}</ref> also called {{Lang|prs-latn|'''Gangina'''}}, is the traditional Afghan technique of preserving fresh fruit, particularly grapes, in airtight discs formed from mud and straw. The centuries-old technique is indigenous to Afghanistan's rural center and north, where remote communities that cannot import fresh fruit eat {{Lang|prs-latn|kangina}}-preserved fresh grapes throughout the winter, and merchants use {{Lang|prs-latn|kangina}} to safely store and transport grapes for sale at market.<ref name=":1" /> Grapes preserved using {{Lang|prs-latn|kangina}} in modern Afghanistan are typically of the thick-skinned {{Lang|fa-latn|Taifi}} or {{Lang|fa-latn|Kishmishi}} varieties,<ref name=":0" /> which are harvested later in the season and remain fresh in the mud vessels for up to six months.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Glinski |first=Stefanie |date=2021-03-25 |title=The Ancient Method That Keeps Afghanistan's Grapes Fresh All Winter |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-did-people-store-fruit-before-fridges |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>
thumb|Video of a {{Lang|prs-latn|kangina}} being opened The method, a form of passive controlled-atmosphere storage, works by sealing fruit in the clay-rich mud, restricting flow of air, moisture and microbes, much as a plastic bag would. Discs are formed from two bowl-shaped pieces, which are sculpted from mud and straw, and baked in the sun before being filled with up to {{convert|1|-|2|kg}} of un-bruised fruit<ref name=":1" /> and sealed with more mud. They are kept dry and cool, away from direct sunlight.<ref name=":2" /> Gradual permeation of gas through the clay barrier allows oxygen to enter the container, keeping the grapes alive, while the elevated concentration of carbon dioxide inside the package inhibits the grapes' metabolism and prevents the growth of fungus. The grapes are prevented from drying out, and the mud absorbs liquid which would otherwise lead to bacterial and fungal growth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-19 |title=Watch: This Is How Grapes Are Preserved In Clay Pots In Afghanistan |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/human-interest/grape-preservation-in-clay-pots-in-afghanistan-567366.html |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN}}</ref>
The practice of storing grapes in mud and straw has been recorded as far back as the 12th century: in his ''Book of Agriculture'', Sevillan agronomist Ibn al-'Awwam noted layering grapes with straw in mud-sealed glass containers or "cowpat bowls" as an extant technique of preservation in Andalusia.<ref name="Cabo">{{cite journal |last=Cabo-González |first=Ana M. |date=2014 |title=The Study of the Evolution of Fruit Preservation Techniques in the Iberian Peninsula through the Agronomic Andalusian Works, their Roman Antecedents and Posterior Footprint in the Renaissance |journal=Arabic Sciences and Philosophy |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=139–168 |doi=10.1017/S095742391300012X |issn=0957-4239}}</ref>
{{Lang|prs-latn|Kangina}} are inexpensive, eco-friendly, and effective vessels for the preservation of fresh fruit.<ref name=":1" /> A 2023 study found {{Lang|prs-latn|kangina}} and polystyrene foam boxes to be the most effective vessels for preserving grapes.<ref name=":1" /> The containers are, however, heavy, unwieldy, and prone to absorbing moisture.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Royal Afghan Embassy |title=This is Afghanistan |publisher=Frownde & Co. |year=1955 |location=London |pages=19 |language=en}}</ref>
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}{{Afghanistan topics}} Category:Food preservation Category:Clay Category:Grape Category:Food and drink in Afghanistan Category:Agriculture in Afghanistan