المملكة: Pictures | Know the Sobia and its types .. The most famous Ramadan drink in Jeddah

With the blessing of the holy month of Ramadan, the markets of the city of Jeddah are witnessing an active movement and a remarkable demand for the purchase of Sobia all the time, the traditional drink that sits on the throne of Ramadan drinks in the city, and represents an integral part of its cultural heritage.
The people of Jeddah are keen to eat the sobia at breakfast, to enjoy its fresh and cold taste that narrates the thirst of the fasting people and compensates for the fluid lost during the hours of fasting, as well as being a natural drink that is free from any preservatives, which makes it a healthy healthy option.

The traditional Saudi Sobia

The radical roots in the west of the Kingdom go back to decades, and they differ in its components and the way they are prepared from the Egyptian sobia known to add milk and coconut.
The traditional Saudi sapia is prepared from simple ingredients, including barley, dry bread, or oats, and sugar and some natural spices are added to give a distinctive flavor, such as: cinnamon and cardamom.
Sobia is usually available in two main colors; White, which is the most common and is characterized by its light, light and red taste, which acquires its distinctive color from adding natural flavors such as hibiscus.

A craft inherited by generations

On a tour of “Today” in the historic alleys of Jeddah, specifically in the Al -Mazloum neighborhood, we met Khaled Naji, one of the city’s sons who inherited the profession of the Sobia industry.
Naji said: “I grew up on the secrets of this craft.
He continued: “We were starting preparations for the month of Ramadan weeks before its arrival, in order to provide sufficient quantities that meet the increasing demand for this drink. Today, and after all these years have passed, we still maintain the traditional method itself in making the sobia.”
Naji added: “What distinguishes the alpia that is considered in Makkah Al -Mukarramah is that it depends on the natural ingredients only, and no industrial materials are added to it, and this explains the great demand for it during the month of Ramadan.”
Nagy stressed that the support provided by the Kingdom for traditional crafts and historical professions contributed to enhancing the spread of this drink, and preserving it as part of our national identity and our cultural heritage.

A symbol of heritage habits

The role of Sobia in Ramadan is not limited to being a mere drink that tells thirst, but rather has become a symbol of the authentic Hijazi traditions. It is adorned with breakfast tables, displayed in popular markets, and the people are racing to buy them from specialized sellers.
With the passage of time, and the changing habits, the spa continues to preserve its prestigious position as one of the most prominent drinks that decorate breakfast tables in Jeddah during the holy month.