From the famous viral Dubai chocolate to kunafa and Baklava, Arabian sweets are addictive and finger-licking good. They are actually hard to resist after one bite but what is the secret behind it. Do they use mystery ingredients or is there some enchantment used to transform them in yummy bites?
First, let’s have an introduction to some world-famous Arabian delights that the world is going crazy for!
World Famous Arabian Sweets
People have been enjoying Arabic sweets for centuries. With unique taste notes and textures, these sweets melt in your mouth leaving you in awe for more.The distinctive flavors of these Arabian delights come from a unique combination of nuts, honey, dates, rose water, and warm spices.
In Arab culture, sweets are tied to cultural traditions and hospitality. They bring nostalgic memories and festive vibes. Some famous sweets are
- Baklava is a world-famous dessert now. The texture is flaky layers of phyllo pastry filled with nuts and soaked in syrup. First, you feel the crunch that fills your mouth. Then it melts in your tongue leaving you wanting to try more.
- Kunafa is another crispy, cheese-filled pastry. Topped with sugar syrup and often garnished with pistachios, the sophisticated flavor burst keeps you hooked till the last bite.
- Luqaimat is another famous deep-fried dough ball. They are drizzled with date syrup, similar to doughnut holes but in Arabic style taste.
- Basbousa (Namoura) is a semolina cake soaked in sweet syrup. Its almonds or coconut topping makes it even more yummy.
- Maamoul are shortbread-like cookies. These are stuffed with dates, nuts, or figs. Maamouls are usually popular during Eid and festive seasons.
- Halawa (Halva) is a dense, sweet confection made from tahini (sesame paste) and sugar. It has a lot of variations. From pistachios to chocolate, varying taste pallets keep you hinged.
- Qatayef is a stuffed pancake. It is usually filled with nuts or sweets.
Why are Arabic Delights so Addictive?
Well, there is a science behind it. How sugary foods hit our brains and how we perceive them. Here are all the reasons that make these sweets tempting and irresistible.
They have a Perfect Balance of Sugar and Fat.
Unlike Arabian ones, most sweets are either too sweet or too heavy on your system. However, Arabians have this perfect balance of sugar and fats. Mostly, sweets are to satisfy your sweet tooth, but even if you are not very fan of sugary foods, you will find Arabian delights very convincing and you may end up eating a lot of these sweets.
The high sugar content can cause pressurization in your system. Whereas the perfect balance of sugar and fats triggers your brain reward system without making it too heavy on your stomach and system itself. So sugar stimulates dopamine release. This gives you a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Fat In these sweets gives you an enriching experience that comes with tasting food. So you feel satisfied in a moment yet craving for more. Stopping your hand is a real struggle when these sweets are served in front of you.
They Use Natural Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners give you a sudden kick of sweetness that can end up quickly. Soon you feel full for your sugary content of the day. However, these sweets use natural sweeteners that enhance the experience without making you feel full and exhausted.
Some natural sweeteners they use are Dates make these desserts sweet and give them high-calorie content in a healthy way. Honey adds sweetness with antioxidant benefits. Who could have thought sweets to be this healthy? Rose and orange blossom water enhance your flavor perception. It makes that sweet feel more indulgent and fulfilling. Each of these sweeteners not only adds sugary content to the dessert but also adds unique notes to the taste pallet.
Unique Texture
With Arabian sugary foods, it is not only the taste and ingredients but also their texture that sets them apart from other desserts. They have this crispy and crunchy feel that pleases the masses. Baklava’s flaky layers and qatayef’s golden crust are hard to resist because they have this unique texture that we don’t find in other sweets.
Not only crunchy and flaky outer layers but these sweets also have that gooey and soft inner texture that simply melts in your mouth after that crunchy bite. Sweets like maamoul and luqaimat have this chewy texture that keeps us hooked with every bite. This variety of textures fills our mouth with pure goodness making these desserts mouth-watering good.
Warm Spices That Boost Cravings
A perfect dessert has a perfect pinch of spices too. Cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and nutmeg are commonly used in Arabic desserts. Each of them has a unique flavor. They not only add a mix of sweetness and spice but also stimulate appetite and digestion. Studies show that warm spices activate the brain’s pleasure centers, making sweet treats even more enjoyable.
Emotional Connection
Most food we eat links to our memory. Arabic delights are usually served during festive seasons with family and gatherings. This creates a type of emotional connection. So these desserts feel even more close to the heart.
Where to Find the Best Arabic Desserts in Dubai
Dubai cuisine is top-notch notch just like its lifestyle. From sophisticated seafood to highly rated desserts, everything is simply amazing. We have made our point about why Arabic sweets feel so heavenly. Now time to tell you where to find them when you are in Dubai. Here keep in mind that the best ones are usually available at local shops and restaurants, hidden in plain sight.
Qwaider Al Nabulsi
This restaurant is located in Deira, Dubai and is known as “Kunafa Master”. They serve Palestinian-style desserts. Their golden Kunafa is indeed the best in town. With the freshness of cheese, golden brown aromatic vermicelli and drenching sugar syrup, we bet you are as ready as we are to devour every last bite in our imagination.
Their kunafa with cream and pistachios is a must-try and is very famous among people. Also, their square pastry with custard filling is very much liked by the masses. This restaurant has branches in Sharjah and Al Ain too. The best thing is that despite different branches and with so much time passed by, they have still maintained their quality and quantity. That’s why their loyal fan base is increasing every day.
Feras Aldiyafa Sweets
This sweet treasure is located At Sheikh Zayed Road. Their Baklava, Kunafa, and Manakish, everything is so tasty that you simply can’t resist after the first bite. Not only their desserts but other food is also very yummy. They serve different types of kunafa. People love their food, the service, and the cleanliness of the place. This place is highly rated for its overall good experience.
Al Samadi Sweets
This sweet shop is located at Al Muraqqabat, Deira. You will find world-class Lebanese-style desserts here. Their recommended sweets are Baklava mix, knife sandwich, cream shoaybiat, walnut maamoul and walnut shoybiyat. All the desserts have superb taste and they offer gift packing service too.
Wafi Gourmet
This is in Dubai Mall and the best place to get some Arabic pastries and sweets. Their homemade ice cream is also very famous. From stuffed dates to butter cookies, you will find a variety of sweets here. The kunafa cheese and kashta are amazing. Also, you can see the Dubai Fountain from here which adds to the overall experience.
Loqmato
This place is also in Dubai Mall and is trending on social media. They have a variety of sweets and desserts. People wait in queues to get a bite of goodness. From ice cream to loqma, everything is yummylicious.
Conclusion
Dubai is filled with the best of the world. The sweets here are authentic, very tasty and reasonable too. These delights are not only traditional desserts but carefully crafted recipes that can shape your experience of Arabic sweets. They have a perfect balance of sweetness, fats, spice and texture. We can safely say that these sweets are indeed scientifically designed to keep us hooked and addicted to them.
