Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette

 

There are many types of beverages that are all time favorites among Saudis and other Arabs during Ramadan.



Sobya is one drink that is in particular demand during the holy month. The beverage is a must-have on any Hijazi and Egyptian Ramadan table.



There are variances in the taste and nature of the drink in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. However, the name remains the same on both sides of the Red Sea.



There are several types of Sobya which is made from barley, sugar and coconut, or crushed rice, milk and sugar.



The drink was first known in the Mamluk period and came into existence at a time in history when money was hard to get by within the Arab world.



It was during this era when basic commodities became scarce—the per capita share of flour decreased and there was an increase in the availability of margarine, sugar and rice from India.



This was the time when Sobya developed and became a popular and favorite drink among the rich and the poor.



There is little material on the history of Sobya in the Hijaz. It is assumed the drink came to this part of the Arab world in the last century.



However, what is definite is the fact that Hijazis are very fond of Sobya, more so than Saudis in other parts of the Kingdom.



There are several families resident in Madinah and Makkah that are well known for the Sobya they make at home as making Sobya is a difficult art.



These families include the Husseini family in Makkah and the Al-Kesha family in Madinah.



The Sobya of today remains the popular drink of the wealthy and the poor. The drink is a favorite among famous people, such as actors Nour El-Sherif and Said Saleh, and footballers Mahmoud Al-Khatib and Essam El-Hadary.