Southern sweets are a pillar of Saudi cuisine, combining authentic flavors with local ingredients, preserving the spirit of heritage and authentic customs handed down by our ancestors. Southern regions, such as Asir and Jazan, are famous for their popular dessert dishes that grace special occasions and family gatherings. These include ma'soub , areika , asida , klija , and Hasawi halwa , most notable today being mamrous and qisht al-malaki. What distinguishes these sweets is that they are often served in traditional dishes that reflect authenticity and give the dishes a touch of antiquity and belonging.
Definition of southern sweets
Southern sweets range from quick-to-prepare dishes to those that rely on ancient handcrafted techniques. They all share the use of natural and luxurious ingredients such as dates, whole-wheat flour, honey, local ghee, and seasonal fruits. Serving these sweets is an essential part of hospitality at weddings, religious and national occasions, and they are also symbols of Saudi heritage.
The most famous southern sweets:
The southern regions of Saudi Arabia boast a wide variety of traditional sweets based on authentic local ingredients. Some of the most notable include:
- Masoub: It consists of mashed bananas with chopped flatbread, and honey, ghee, or cream are added to give it a rich and nutritious taste. It is usually served for breakfast or as a dessert on special occasions.
- Areika: A dough made from fresh whole wheat flour, kneaded and rolled out, then decorated with dates, honey, and country butter, and often sprinkled with nuts for a delicious crunch.
- Porridge: A simple recipe based on flour, water, and salt. Cooked until firm, it is then served hot with ghee or broth on special occasions and during cold winters.
- Mamrous: One of the most famous sweets in the south, it is made from dates, whole wheat flour, and ghee, with a sprinkle of cardamom. It is distinguished by its sweet, warm taste.
- Royal Cream: A creamy dessert made with dates, toasted semolina, or crushed biscuits and cream, it is considered a luxurious choice for hospitality.
- Hasawi Halwa: A traditional, distinctive dish made of dates, starch, and aromatic spices. It is famous in the Al-Ahsa region and is also popular in the south.
- Klejja: A famous Najdi dessert that has spread to the south. It consists of a dough filled with dates mixed with cardamom and cinnamon, and baked until golden brown and fragrant.
Ingredients and steps for preparing Mamrous
Main ingredients:
- date paste or pitted dates
- Roasted whole wheat flour (preferably from Tihama Shop)
- Country ghee or butter
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Rose water, cardamom and saffron
- Nuts for decoration
Steps:
- Toast the flour in a saucepan over low heat until golden brown.
- Add the ghee to the toasted flour and stir until it absorbs the aroma and flavor.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve the sugar and date paste in a little warm water with rose water, cardamom and saffron until smooth.
- Add the date mixture to the flour and ghee and stir until the ingredients are combined and separate from the walls.
- Place the mammous in traditional pots (we recommend using a stone pot or a stone saucepan ), and garnish with nuts and dates.
How to prepare royal cream
Main ingredients:
- Pitted dates or date paste
- toasted semolina or ground biscuits
- Powdered milk (optional)
- Butter or margarine
- cream
- Cardamom, cinnamon and nuts
Preparation steps:
- In a saucepan over the stove, melt the butter and toast the semolina with it until it turns golden.
- Add the chopped dates and mix well until the dates dissolve with the semolina.
- Add the powdered milk while stirring, then gradually add the cream until a smooth, creamy mixture is formed.
- The cream is placed in traditional bowls or trays (discover the Maghs Hajar and Maghs Wasat collections via Dukan Tihama), and decorated with nuts, dates, and additional cream as desired.
The role of heritage pots in highlighting the beauty of southern sweets
Traditional utensils such as the stone pot, the mughish pot, clay plates, and handcrafted trays represent the spirit of hospitality in the southern part of the Kingdom. Using these utensils to serve sweets adds an authentic touch to the table, preserves the heat of the dish, and highlights the rich flavors of the ingredients. This represents an extension of the southern identity and heritage and contributes to highlighting the authentic Saudi character during special occasions and celebrations.
Suggested Heritage Pots Products for Purchase:
Choose your complete collection of authentic heritage cookware from the Dukan Tihama kitchen tools section , and enjoy superior quality in taste and presentation.
Modern ideas for serving mammous and royal cream
- Arrange the mammous in individual molds and decorate them with nuts and dates.
- Serve the royal icing in small glass cups with a layer of cream and nuts.
- Use decorative pottery trays and decorate them with mint leaves or dried fruit slices.
- Place sweets on the hospitality tables with flowers and traditional decorations to highlight the spirit of the South.
- Place small candles and Arabic decor pieces around the pots for more warmth and a traditional atmosphere.
- Prepare a complete hospitality basket containing several types of southern sweets and distribute them elegantly.
You can add a touch of luxury by purchasing elegant products like an undated notebook to collect your Southern recipes in!
Other famous southern sweets
- Masoub: It mainly depends on bananas, honey and ghee.
- Porridge: Prepared from flour, water, and ghee, served with chicken or meat broth.
- Dagabis: Dough cooked in broth and eaten hot, easy to digest and rich in energy.
- Hasawi sweets and Klijat: symbolizing the geographical and cultural diversity of Saudi Arabia, where the flavors of the East, the Middle East, and the South intertwine in one dish.
Locations of southern sweets
Most of these sweets are found in Jazan and Asir, and are commonly found during special occasions such as weddings and Ramadan. They are also served at heritage exhibitions and national festivals, and you can now easily prepare them at home with traditional cooking tools available exclusively at Dukan Tihama .
The importance of southern sweets
These sweets are part of our collective memory and living heritage; with each flavor, they carry the story of our ancestors and strengthen social bonds through hospitality and events. By creatively presenting and adhering to traditional tools, the new generation combines modern taste with authentic belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most famous dishes in southern Saudi Arabia?
Popular dishes include mamrous, masoub, asida, areika, dagabis, and mabthooth. There is a great variety in dishes depending on the geographical region and local customs.
What are the famous southern sweets?
Areika, Mamrous, Royal Cream, Hasawi Sweets, Kleicha, Muhalla, Masoub, Asida.
What are some southern Ghamid dishes?
Al Baha region (home of the Ghamid tribe) is known for dishes such as maifa (stone oven bread), porridge, southern fattah, suwaiq and kisra.
What are some southern Asir dishes?
It includes porridge, areika, mabthooth, haneeth, dagabis, and maasoub.
What is the importance of traditional utensils in serving traditional sweets?
Traditional utensils add a touch of authenticity and ensure the dish retains its warmth and flavor. They also connect guests to their historical roots and give the occasion a unique, festive, and traditional feel.
Where is the best place to buy authentic heritage pottery?
You can buy original kitchen utensils, cookware, and high-quality stoneware from Dukan Tihama store through its specialized sections such as Stoneware and Cookware .
Conclusion
Southern desserts like mamrous and royal cream are not just delicious dishes; they are an integral part of authentic Saudi cultural identity and heritage. By combining local ingredients, traditional recipes, and elaborate traditional utensils, each dish possesses a unique flavor. Always choose to serve them in traditional utensils from Dukan Tihama and share the authenticity of the south and the warmth of Saudi taste with family and friends.
Note: You can discover a wide range of heritage utensils and luxurious southern kitchen products for all sweets through Dukan Tihama store , and begin a journey of tasting authentic heritage for every occasion!