RELIGION-RAMADAN/EGYPT-EID COOKIES Egyptians stock up on traditional cookies ahead of Eid

Record ID: 147101

  • Title: RELIGION-RAMADAN/EGYPT-EID COOKIES Egyptians stock up on traditional cookies ahead of Eid
  • Date: 15th July 2015
  • Summary: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT (JULY 13, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KAHK BEING PREPARED VARIOUS OF DOUGH KAHK ON TRAY VARIOUS OF FLOUR BEING KNEADED WORKER EMPTYING SACK OF FLOUR INTO CONTAINER FLOUR BEING KNEADED (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRODUCTION MANAGER, WAEL FAWZY, SAYING: "Our products used to be handmade, but this year we have started using machines. So, the process begins at the kn
  • Embargoed: 30th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEUW4U9I5VBZWF11VFQLFB2W2O
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: With 19 bakeries across Alexandria and a production rate of 9 tonnes a day, workers at Abu Omar's factory are hard at work to meet a surging demand for kahk, traditional Eid cookies.
    For generations, Egyptians have relished kahk and other cookies for breakfast on the day after Ramadan, which also marks the first morning of Eid al-Fitr.
    To keep up with demand, Abu Omar workers have made changes to how they work.
    "Our products used to be handmade, but this year we started using machines. So, the process begins at the kneader, then it goes to the machines, then the ovens, then the containers," explained Wael Fawzy, the production manager.
    There are 55 workers, including 15 chefs at Abu Omar's kahk factory.
    Despite a rise in food prices in Egypt over the past few years, customers said kahk this year was still affordable.
    "The prices of kahk and the cookies are close to last year's. The increase isn't too big. At the same time, the quality varies - there are popular prices and different types of biscuits and that's why the prices vary, but the prices are similar this year to last year's and the year before," said Gamal Gharib.
    But another customer Sohair al-Sayed said she was cutting down on consumption this year due to health reasons.
    "It's more expensive than last year, but I buy in limited quantity, because in our house, I have diabetes and the kids are on a diet, so we don't want to eat too much sugar. Also, between you and me, I hoped that the joy...because of the martyrs and Egypt, I really feel that there's sadness around Eid.''
    A kilo of kahk can cost up to 80 Egyptian pounds ($10.22). But Abu Omar sells a kilo for 28 Egyptian pounds. Kahk can be stuffed with dates, known as agameya, or with pistachios and nuts.
    Once baked they're dusted with sugar.
    Kahk is mainly produced in the days before Eid al-Fitr, but some shops sell small quantities throughout the year.
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