Taliafoods

At first glance, Qamar al-Din may look unimpressive, but it’s an essential ingredient that has many uses. It’s made by pureeing fresh fruit with sugar into a paste and drying it into thin sheets. The sheets can be rolled up and enjoyed as a sweet treat, but it’s most commonly made into a drink or pudding that appears on tables during Ramadan. Qamar al-Din as a drink is a staple at iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. Many Muslims consume this drink when breaking their fast because it’s perfect for quenching your thirst and bringing energy levels back to normal after a long day of fasting. The dried fruit leather can also be used to make a pudding, which is typically eaten as a light snack at suhoor, the meal that is eaten before the fasting begins for the day. Qamar al-Din is easy enough to make at home yourself, but it’s also readily available to buy at Middle Eastern stores. Apricot is the traditional flavor and for awhile, it was the only flavor available in the Middle East. However, you can now find Qamar al-Din offered in various fruits such as strawberry, mango, pineapple, etc. Even if you’re not observing Ramadan, you can enjoy the taste and uses of Qamar al-Din at home with these two very simple recipes.