Cold Beverages

The hibiscus flower is used not only for the production of the Hibiscus Tea in Egypt, but from it a juice is made by addition of sugar, the Hibiscus Juice or the cold Karkadeh.

The juice especially includes citric and malic acid, as well as tartaric acid and ascorbic acid (“vitamin C”). As a result it gets a fruity sour taste and is normally drunk with sugar.

Traditionally the hibiscus juice is used for stimulating the digestion, but especially in the hot summer months also just as a refreshment.

Also very popular is the Lemon Juice (Aseer Laymoon), which is mixed with sugar and water, because pure it is too strong.

The lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, so that in addition to the refreshing effect the body’s defences are strengthened. The acids it contains also stimulate the digestion.

The Orange Juice, the Aseer Burtuqaal, is considered as the world’s most consumed fruit juice.

It contains like the Lemon Juice vitamin C, so that in addition to the refreshing effect the body’s defences are strengthened. The acids it contains also stimulate the digestion.

The Juice of Doum Palm, the Aseer Doom, is obtained from the doum palm.

It is considered as a popular change in the range of juice drinks outside of the usual.

Another fruit very popular in Upper Egypt is the mango, from which also the Mango Juice (Aseer Mangoo) is obtained.

This fruit comming originally from the Indian subcontinent and from Southeast Asia is characterised by its intense flavour. It includes inter alia potassium, calcium, magnesium, folic acid and the vitamins C, A and B1. In traditional medicine positive effects on the intestine, heart and blood count are generally attributed to it.

A real source of energy is the Banana Juice in Milk (Aseer Mooz bi-l-Haleeb).

Aside from their nutritional value bananas also contain dietary fiebre and trace elements. They can help against potassium deficiency and regulate bowel movements. Also they are easy to digest and therefore suitable as a diet in case of illness. Additionally there is in this beverage the healthy of the milk.

The range of the coffee shop also includes Strawberry Juice (Aseer Faraula).

Strawberries are with their distinctive flavour a popular delicacy across cultural borders.

The “Coco Loco” is a cocktail of various fruit juices in accordance with the range of the coffee shop.

The selection of freshly prepared cold beverages is rounded off by the Yoghurt Drink (Aseer Zabaadi), for which yoghurt is mixed with water.

Yoghurt contains normally less lactose than milk and is therefore more digestible for many people.

The “Lemonade” (Limonada) is a pre-packed cold beverage made of diluted lemon juice.

The lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, so that in addition to the refreshing effect the body’s defences are strengthened. The acids it contains also stimulate the digestion.

With the brand Fayrouz the Al Ahram Beverages Company offers a non-alcoholic, carbonated malt beverage with fruit flavour in different flavours.

The most common flavours are pineapple, mango and apple.

Tap water is usually offered for free in Upper Egypt, even to passers-by ordering nothing in the coffee shop. But the range of the Coffee Shop Aal al-Bayt includes also Mineral Water (Maya Ma′diniyya) originally bottled by the manufacturer.