What specialties can we try in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and if possible, buy to bring home? In this post I want to focus on three top quality products that are difficult to find in Western countries: camel milk, different types of dates and Arabic coffee “qahwa”.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most popular emirates of the 7 in total that make up the United Arab Emirates. Both destinations have become very popular in recent years for tourists from all over the world.
But in addition, as they are also important commercial and financial centers in the region, they have a varied and eclectic immigrant population, with citizens from all over the world who add color to the local culture. That is why we can find restaurants serving food from all over the world, with a predominance of Syrian-Lebanese, Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
In the current section of bastapasta.fit, we are interested in elucidating which local products are the most interesting to try (and of course buy to bring with us in our suitcase!).
In that sense, I want to focus on the three products that in my opinion make up the podium: camel milk, dates and Arabic coffee. And of course, we will find plenty of spices, which deserve a separate post.
Three local products from Dubai and Abu Dhabi not to miss:
- Camel milk:
Within the shortlist presented here, this is without a doubt the most surprising item for the Western tourist, but which nevertheless was for centuries a traditional product of the local diet.
Beyond its mild and pleasant taste, the main characteristic that draws attention to camel milk is that it is slightly salty. This is because it provides about 100mg of sodium per 100ml. This milk is low in fat and contains no sugar, making it ideal for those who suffer from lactose intolerance.
It is possible to find bottles of fresh milk (pasteurized and homogenized) in practically all supermarkets in the country.
Or, those who want to enjoy it at home can opt for a package of powdered milk. But in this case you have to count on the average price per kilo being around $60.
2. Dates:
Unlike the previous case, dates are a very famous Middle Eastern product, and loved by everyone almost without exception.
Obviously, we cannot expect the desert to provide us with all kinds of fruits and vegetables. In exchange for this, we can enjoy a huge variety of these fruits of the palm tree, considered today by many as a “superfood”.
It is incredible to discover that dates deserve their own section in supermarkets, which is always of a very considerable size.
And not only can we choose different marketing brands, but there are also multiple varieties of dates. At the top are the very famous Medjool along with the perhaps lesser known Ajwa.
The latter are dark, small and rounded in shape. They have a refined and subtle flavor, but without being cloying, since they have a lower sugar content compared to other varieties.
By the way, we will surely find that this type of dates is sometimes called Ajwa / Al-Madina. This is because its origin is primarily from the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Finally, those who prefer to make dates their favorite treat should try those dipped in chocolate or with different fillings (usually almonds, pistachios or candied orange peel).
3. Arabic coffee “qahwa”:
This type of coffee has a light color, sometimes almost yellowish, due to the gentle roasting process to which it is subjected.
It is common to grind the grains together with different spices, almost always cardamom, but also cinnamon, cloves or saffron, which adds a more pronounced yellowish tint.
Unlike the one we usually drink at home, this coffee is boiled over low heat for about ten minutes. Traditionally it is served in small cups without handles (called finjal), while the rest of the preparation is kept hot in a specific container called dallah (which image is found on 1 Dirham coins).
This coffee is drunk without sugar, and since the taste can be somewhat bitter, it is usually served with dates as an accompaniment.