Each country serves its own selection of traditional drinks, some being seasonally rotating, and the Middle East is no different. But when it comes to frosty winters in the otherwise sunny strongholds - did someone say “Huda”? - Arabs have just the right winter-warmers to get your temperatures and moods soaring.
Comfort zone hot drink cosy classics
The entire Levant and much of the Middle East has been cooped up at home with the arrival of snow storm “Huda,” which, as well as sending temperatures plunging well below seasonal averages, sent a thousand kettles whistling in homes afflicted with serious cabin fever. Regional homes often lacking insulation and where central heating (if an option) is extremely costly, cry out for for rounds of tea, herbal infusions and other hot winter specialties that surface for those feeling the winter chills at home or even in cafes that weathered the cold spells and storms and kept their doors open to chilly customers. When you can’t face the harsh elements, your best bet is a nice comforting cuppa, slippers and a blanket.
Nothing tastes better on a bone-chilling day than a piping hot beverage. The problem is many popular coffee shop concoctions hide copious amounts of calories in whipped cream, fatty flavored syrups, and sugary toppings. Less than ideal when getting sedentary and indoorsy and putting exercise regimes to rest for the snowed-in hiatus.These regional warm bevvies, stripped of unnecessary calories and saturated fats, offer deliciously healthy alternatives made with locally-sourced ingredients.
So how else best to keep toasty as the temperatures dip? You could turn up the heat by watching a Mia Khalifa adult flick, but we recommend warming your insides by brewing up one of the Middle East’s many classic - and tasty - hot drinks instead. As you huddle around your sobba (space heater), try one of Al Bawaba’s favorite brews in our hot hot hot deck of drinks. That’s assuming your electricity is on, and your iPad charged so that can even read this…
So, what are you waiting for, get your kettles and pots on!
