Baklava, the cure for Egyptians’ sweet tooth!

CAIRO – 18 April 2022: In the minds of Egyptians, the blessed month of Ramadan is associated with many social and religious rituals.

The days of the month of fasting in Egypt are characterized by many special rituals, which always give Egypt a special character during the holy month.

Baklava, is one of the most important desserts on the Egyptian table, especially during Ramadan. It is special thin, rectangular sheets of dough called goulash in Egypt, and filo in some Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Sicily. It is usually stuffed with walnuts or pistachios and sweetened with honey.

According to the book "The History of the Egyptian Kitchen" by Hanan Jaafar, the word baklava is derived from the Ottoman Turkish language, and is used in many languages with a slight difference in pronunciation and writing.

Moreover, according to the book “The Ottoman Empire 1700-1922”, by Donald Quartet, the beginning of the appearance of baklava was in the late 17th century, on Ramadan 15. When breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan, the sultans used to visit the Topkapi Palace Museum on Ramadan 15, and there they distributed baklava to the Janissaries.

This tradition remained during the month of Ramadan until the era of Sultan Abdul Hamid, who was inviting the army to break his fast with them in Yıldız Palace.