Traditional Egyptian drinks prepared for Ramadan

Описание: (29 Jun 2015) LEAD IN:
Ramadan is in full swing and the temperatures are scorching in Egypt.
The first thing many people do at sunset is drink sweet juices to satisfy their thirst after a long, hot day of fasting.
It has become a Cairo tradition - and people seek out the best vendors in the city for the perfect drink to break their fast.
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On the side of a small street not far from Cairo city centre people are gathering around a busy stand selling liquorice drinks.
A woman is pouring this traditional Egyptian drink from a large barrel into smaller bottles and sealed plastic bags.
The stand belongs to Mahmoud Almassry and his wife, who are famous for brewing liquorice.
They are out-performing many of their competitors in this busy season - and Almassry says it's because of a secret recipe passed to down to him from his grandfather.
"No one can defeat me in my special recipe I use for brewing liquorice drinks. I am a specialist in preparing this drink. I am the best liquorice drink vendor in the country and all others use dye colours. I sell a clean product that I inherited from father and grandfather," he says.
Liquorice drink is prepared by putting the liquorice powder in a huge watery cloth and leaving to brew in sunlight.
Gradually water is added to the mixture until the drink is ready.
Egyptians believe that liquorice drink is a very good remedy for kidney stones and diabetes.
Almassry's popularity has reached other districts in Cairo, and his customers say many travel long distances to buy his drinks.
Tawfik Mostafa is a local resident and a fan of Almassry's liquorice.
"This drink here is awesome and healthy. And every Ramadan we are used to buy liquorice drink from him (Mahmoud Almassry). And his fame is very known. A lot of people from faraway places come here to get drinks from him," says Mostafa.
Ramadan is an especially busy time for drinks vendors as many Egyptians prefer to break their fast by drinking juice.
Apart from liquorice, drinks flavoured with tamarind, hibiscus and the coconut drink Sobia are popular on the Ramadan menu.
Ahmad Fayez is a drink vendor who makes most of his money during the holy month.
"Sales increase a lot during Ramadan because it is a special season that we wait for from one year to another. And we sell a huge amount of drinks, thanks to God," Fayez says.
Many of the prefer to buy their drinks at well known juice bars instead of relying on local vendors to avoid any diluted drinks.
"I prefer drinking natural herb juices and fresh juices rather than soda drinks during Ramadan. And it's better to see your juice prepared in front of you before buying it," says one such customer Mohamed El Araby.
Juice shop manager Ashraf Sayed says most herbal drinks are made the day before and left to brew for a better taste.
"The best way to prepare these Ramadan Drinks like Sobia and Tamarind is to leave them to brew from the day before. Next day we start preparing it for customers in the morning. The same method is used in preparing Sobia, " says Sayed.
Prices for herbal drinks start from two Egyptian pounds (26 US cents) for a small plastic bag or a cup and can go up to 15 Egyptian pounds (two US dollars) for a medium plastic Jerry can.
At sunset, it is a familiar sight in Cairo to see young men walking among the traffic, handing out drinks for free to fasters on their way home.

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