Turkish Snacks Join Bahraini Eid Trays

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Lower-priced Turkish and Chinese snacks are being added to Bahraini Eid trays this year, with shopkeepers saying families are buying them for their price, range and ease of serving.

The Eid ‘qadooa’, long part of Bahraini family tables during the holiday, still leans on halwa, nuts, fruit and mathai (or mettai). But sellers say ready-packed savoury snacks have become a common addon for households receiving guests.

Abdulla Isa, owner of Qalay Al Youm, said nuts were still selling well, while demand had risen for Turkish and Chinese crisps and crackers.

He said a 250-gram pack sells for about 500 fils and can contain around 15 kinds, making it an easy purchase for families looking to widen the spread without paying much.

Still, Bahraini halwa has held its place on the Eid table. Mr Isa said halwa remained one of the main items in the qadooa, along with Bahraini mathai, which he said has a special standing with Gulf families.

Saleh Al Halwachi, owner of Al Halwachi Sweets, said his shop sells a range of Bahraini sweets, including halwa, mathai and khanfaroosh, all made in-house.

He said the shop is known for khanfaroosh filled with halwa and pistachios, as well as halwa cut into cubes for easier serving.

Mr Al Halwachi said Bahraini halwa is made mainly from sugar and starch, cooked in a special pot over a low flame for up to an hour until it reaches its familiar thick texture.

Online orders, he added, are led by khanfaroosh with halwa, a popular Bahraini sweet bought often during feasts and family gatherings.