Juice Shops

The fresh juices in Egypt are faaa-bu-lous!

For any inductee to Egyptian juice stands, there is one which is very delicious and a must-try is a drink called Fahfahina, which features a blend of seasonal fruit (but usually something like banana and strawberries, mango juice, guava juice, melon, apples, maybe pomegranate seeds, even some crushed nuts and icecream)

My personal favorite is Asab juice (sugar cane). (This guy has captured an awesome photo of it here: Shawnbaldwin.com) They literally take the whole sugar cane stalk and push it into a big juicer that churns out this green yummy sugary and refreshing drink.

Amazing fruits and vegetables year-round

I grew up in Canada. Then I moved to rainy Europe. I can really say, that I don't think I ever really tasted a tomato until I went to Egypt (for more reasons on why North American tomatoes are so bland read this nice article on how "industrial farming has destroyed the tasty tomato". Compared to Egyptian tomatoes, all other tomatoes taste like water, really. In the past, I used to be dazed by people who could just eat a full tomato like an apple, but after living in Egypt I can start to understand why.

Palm Trees

 

Gorgeous. Love them. Palm trees always make me feel like I'm on vacation, even when I'm not.

Egyptian Bread

Egyptian bread tastes so good once you start eating it is really hard to stop.

It is super delicious with hummus, baba ganouj, cheese, pickled lemons, and even nutella.

It is also fascinating to watch them make the bread in the outdoor stone fired ovens. Another fabulous thing is to see delivery men riding on bicycles in the busy streets of Cairo, balancing large wooden racks on their heads as they ride with loaves upon loaves of bread stacked on top.

source: dailytravelphotos.com

Yogurt

It seems like a really trite thing to mention, but it's something I love and so I am giving it a whole post: Yogurt. Before living in Egypt, I used to eat yogurt, but more out of health considerations than out of pure love. But in Egypt, it is a love affair. The yogurt here is the best I've eaten.

On another note - one of my favorite drinks here is Zibedi wa asal (yogurt with honey), its a great healthy alternative to a milkshake, terribly refreshing, served in almost any restaurant and cafe, and absolutely delicious.

Taxi Rides

In Egypt, riding in a taxi can be a real adventure. Taxis drivers are the ears and eyes of the city and talking to them (usually they are quite gregarious and talkative) can reveal tons of stories and insight.

Petit Fours

Personally, I love petit fours. You have a nice taste of sweetness, without the guilt or temptation of eating a full cake. In Egypt all the major bakeries make a large variety of petit fours. Mostly, they are just fabulous. (These pictures come from my favorite bakery - no names! - in Heliopolis - can you guess which one?).