From dates and Vimto to rice and milk powder, the best-selling food products during the Holy Month are pretty much the same every year.
We at wanted to know why, so we conducted a little investigation.
We called major supermarkets such as Choithrams, Union Co-op and Spinneys to find out why these items are so popular and what they are used for. Here is what we found out:
1. Dates: Dates are rich with healthy nutrients that are perfect when breaking a long fast. When you don’t eat anything for 15 hours straight, the sugar level in your blood drops; dates – being sugar-rich and easy to digest – are ideal to boost it back up. Plus, dates can make you feel somewhat full in a short period of time – at least full enough to stop that loud stomach growling that you pretend didn’t come from you.
2. Vimto: Another favourite during Ramadan is this sweet berry-flavoured syrup. Vimto gives a great energy boost to those who are fasting and, through the years, it has become one of the most sought-after products during the Holy Month.
3. Cooking oil: Keeping in mind that Ramadan is a time when families and friends get together and bond over a delicious meal, we will ignore the disadvantages of fried food for this month only. (Bring on the samosas, spring rolls and French fries).
4. Sugar: Remember what we said about fried food? The same applies to sugary desserts. Umm Ali, knafeh and atayef are some of the perennial favourites to make during the Holy Month, which would explain why sugar is another Ramadan best-seller.
5. Powdered milk: Powdered milk is healthy and quick to use, making it the go-to item when whipping up a dish just before breaking your fast. Rich in vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins, it is just like having milk – only in a convenient powder form.
6. Frozen chicken: Cheaper and more long-lasting, this is another popular food item to buy during Ramadan. People can buy frozen full chickens in bulk (they usually come in packs of two or four), store them and then use them whenever they want to, rather than making grocery runs every two days for fresh chicken.
7. Laban Up: Laban Up is a delicious and refreshing salty yoghurt drink and is perfect to break your fast with. It cools the body down and contains nutrients such as calcium, proteins and vitamins. And that’s not all: Laban Up also boosts the immune and digestive systems. With nearly no negatives, it is a definite winner in Ramadan.
That’s all of them. As we said, they’re the same every year, but now you know why.
