QL Special: 11 local sweets to try in Qatar
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11 local sweets to try in Qatar
Whether you’re visiting Doha, or living here, these a few must-try desserts you can find in pretty much every local sweet shop and restaurant here.
Halwa
This sticky dessert is made fresh and hot in the traditional streets of Souq Waqif. They even give you some to try! Halwa is quite universal these days, and it’s rather popular in several countries, but the one you get here is pretty authentic and tastes like everything you need after a long day.
Muhallabia
A cold milk based dessert, it’s sumptuous and is filled with dried fruits and nuts. It’s a creamy pudding and comes in a variety of flavours.
Umm Ali
Although this is originally Egyptian, it’s super popular in this part of the world, and is a staple dessert at every dinner, buffet and a good number of restaurants. It’s basically bread pudding soaked in milk. It’s warm, nutty and cinnamon-ey.
Basbusa
If you love coconut, this is definitely for you. It’s a middle eastern sweet cake made from cooked semolina soaked in sweet syrup. This is more of a crowd pleaser than most other Arabic sweet dishes.
Kunafa
Kunafa has become super popular in the recent years, especially Al Aker’s. It’s a cheese pastry soaked in a sweet syrup and topped with rich semolina pastry. Although the sound of cheese is not exactly the most appealing, you have to try this dessert to know how great it actually tastes.
Baklava
The origins of Baklava are forever debated but who cares? It is definitely a top Arabic favourite in this region, and you probably won’t find a house that doesn’t serve it. It’s made with layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sealed with sweet syrup.
Rahash
It’s milky, it’s sweet and it is made from sesame seeds. This tahini-based local dessert is more of an acquired taste, but it’s definitely something to try if you haven’t already. It’s sticky and you’re probably going to have a bit of a tough time getting it off your teeth!
Ma’amoul
These are basically shortbread pastries, and are usually filled with dates. In some variations they fill them with nuts too. They are so popular that you can now find them in super markets too with a variety of fillings like apple, strawberry etc.
Turkish delight
As the name suggests, these are Turkish, but definitely not uncommon in this region. In fact, they are rather popular. They are flavoured and jelly based sugary candies dowsed in powdered sugar, again.
Luqaimat
These Arabic dumplings are crunchy and soaked in sugar syrup. They are available at almost all sweet shops, through out the year, even though it’s a Ramadan favourite. Be warned, it’s deep fried!
Qatayef
This is another dumpling of sorts, filled with honey, nuts or cream and deep-fried and once again dipped in sweet syrup. Yes, as it seems, almost all Arabic desserts are soaked in sweet syrups.
Which of these Qatari sweets is your favorite? If your favorite local dessert is not on here, please let us know in the comments below.
I like this sweets!)) I want all!)
Maybe with this milkshake - https://greenann.com/recipe/sesame-milk/
Milk with Sesame Seeds)
So sweet from a sweet writer ... Will try some this week
Shereen: swooooooooooooooooon - so sweet
Shereen, So much thanks for bringing the sweets forum at QL. If you ask me, sweets often has a connection with happiness & joys. Basbusa is my afternoon favourite but after dinner what I like the most is Luqaimat , the small small balls .......... ...........