Sweet Memories: The Nostalgia of Eid Treats

Words by Muzna Qamar

What is it about that sense of déjà vu you get when walking into a space and suddenly being enveloped in the scent of rose water and sugar syrup, rich cocoa and roasted nuts, delicate spices and colourful
flavours?

Eid is the most wonderful time of the year, when family and friends gather, and moments of joy and laughter are shared.

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Early mornings are for prayers and warm hugs. Later in the
day, children look towards adults in the room reaching into a pocket or purse to gift a 100 riyal note. With excitement on their faces, kids
rush to spend it all with glee, because for them and many others, Eid is also a time of sweets and treats.

Every year, as Eid rolls around, Saudi cities fill up with even more delightful bites. Take Riyadh’s Taiba Market for instance, a 30-year-old souk that’s a sensorial experience in every way, flooding visitors
with scents, colours, flavours and texture.

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There’s that one shop around the corner called Halawiat Al Hamoud, where children can be found on Eid filling up bags with Saudi delights, customers busy making their Eid selections, and the owner in the midst of it all, taking calls and orders, while also handing out sweets for everyone to try.

There are also older establishments such as Saadeddin Pastry & Sweets, launched in Khobar in 1976. Flocked by locals and residents during Eid (and every other day), Saadeddin is known for its nostalgic cakes and cream-stuffed kunafa topped with pistachios. It’s also said to hold the Guinness World Record in 2013 for carving the largest cake in the shape of the kingdom.

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What about Diplomat, founded in 1987 and loved for its logaimat (also known as luqaimat), those soft, sweet bites that make you feel like you’re in the clouds? There’s also Halwiyat Toleen, home to tasty cakes and chocolates, and known for its unique tray setups. Oh, and Bakeries and Pastry Sanabel Al Rayyan, another Eid favorite for its sweets and desserts that don’t disappoint.

Indeed, Saudi is home to many such establishments, some new and innovative, others older and iconic, and all offering a world of sweet delicacies that have come to define Eid for many generations. Gathering with loved ones, dressed in the best outfits and biggest smiles, moments of joy intercepted by bites of baklava, Eid is truly a
time of sweet memories.

All images with thanks to Muzna Qamar