By: Safaa Magdy 

Ramadan has come this year amidst a very hot summer, exams, weddings season and travels. Yet no matter how busy you are, you still need to go Yameesh shopping. If not for yourself, then for your family.  Yaoota is here to help you pick the best Yameesh in town.

We promise you by the end of this article you will be a Yameesh expert.

Dates

No dates, no yameesh, hence, no Ramadan, right?

It is Sunnah after Prophet Mohammad to break your fast with dates. Dates are also full of nutrients that benefit your immunity and add to your antioxidants. And to make the most out of dates this year, make sure you pick the right ones.

Characteristics of a good date

Soft, heavy and dry

• We Egyptians are lucky to have some of the best dates in the world. Aswan is the center of great delicious dates because it has the heat needed to dry dates to the right extent.
• Size doesn’t really matter! A good date could be tall, thin, small, bulky and in all sizes. So when it comes to size, it’s your call.
• A good date has soft, firm
• Dry dates are perfect for Khushaf. However, soft moist ones are not bad.
• If you are not a fan of dry hard dates, you can get the moist ones. They are more expensive though.
• The Color is not an issue as well. It only has to be brownish, not black. But keep in mind that the darker the date is, the more sugar it contains.
• Make sure to open the date and check the inside. It has to be light-colored and clean.

Check and compare dates prices here.

Qamar Al-Din

Qamar Al-Din juice is a traditional Ramadan drink. Qamar Al-Din is not only used to make drinks, but also to make some delicious dessert dishes like Konafa and pudding. Qamar Al- Din’s origins are Syrian, and Syria is famous for producing the best kinds of Qamar Al-Din in the world.

The characteristics of the best Qamar Al-Din

It is all about the smell when it comes to choosing the best Qamar Al-Din. Hold the package and smell it. It should smell strongly of apricot. A good strong smell indicates the freshness of the package. It should also be the same color as apricot.

You will find two types in the Egyptian market: The Egyptian and the Syrian. Syrian is the best.

Dried apricot

Dried apricot is an essential ingredient of Khushaf as well as other sweet and savory dishes.

Picking the right dried apricots

Ask for the Turkish apricots. The best apricots have a light color. The dark withered ones are usually old.

Raisins

Raisins are available all year long. It is used in many dishes like Kunafa, Qatayef and of course Khushaf.

Picking the best raisins

• There are two types: red and yellow
• The red ones are Egyptian, made of red seedless grapes.
• The yellow ones are Iranian, with higher quality and prices than the Egyptian.
• But as a rule of thumb, the right way to make your decision is to taste it.

Qarasya (Dried plum)

Qarasya is relatively new to the Egyptian Ramadan. However, it became popular quickly for its great sour and sweet taste. It is also an ingredient of Khushaf.

Good Qarasya is relatively big, with a sour sweet taste.

Nuts

Whether it is hazelnuts, almonds or peanuts, they all are important ingredients of most of Ramadan’s delicious dishes. It is also a great healthy snack between meals if taken in the right amounts.

Picking the best nuts

Pick the unpeeled ones because the peel keeps them fresh for a longer period of time. Unpeeled ones are also much cheaper than the peeled ones. In order to pick the right one, you have to taste it for yourself. Open it up and make sure it is not old or expired.

Walnuts have to be light-colored not black.

Check nuts at Yaoota.

Coconut

Coconut is not only delicious but also really beneficial for the skin and hair.

Picking the best coconut

The coconut has to be snow-white. If it’s yellowish, it is old. The best coconut comes from Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Yaoota wishes you a happy delicious Ramadan!