What is Eid without decadent chocolates, luxury desserts?

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Sales for sweets retailers, chocolatiers and confectioners surge during this time of the year and they make sure to not only cater to demand, but also smooth service. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
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Sales for sweets retailers, chocolatiers and confectioners surge during this time of the year and they make sure to not only cater to demand, but also smooth service. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
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Eid treats, an intense but sweet challenge, Saudi housewives tend to compete in bringing the most appealing and creative chocolate for Eid Al-Fitr and they focus on quality and arrangements. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
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Those who get their Eid chocolate trays done first are considered lucky, as crowds flock to chocolate stores during the last three days of Ramadan. (Supplied)
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Updated 22 April 2023
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What is Eid without decadent chocolates, luxury desserts?

  • The fancy chocolate is usually served to adults, and children are given a special gift, which could be a sweet treat, toy, or money
  • Sales for sweet retailers surge during this time of the year and they make sure to not only cater to demand, but also smooth service

JEDDAH: Sweets and desserts are a big part of Eid celebrations in Saudi Arabia, with some families having traditional homemade dishes, and others splurging on store-bought chocolates. With a steady stream of visitors, families make sure to lay a lavish spread.

Raneem Al-Najjar, a housewife and mother of five, told Arab News that in her family it is the norm to pick a luxurious chocolate brand to serve for Eid Al-Fitr guests. “Arrangement and the tray, taste and filling of the chocolate are my biggest concern, also colors of the packaging have to go well with my furniture and home decoration to make sure the presentation is appealing,” she said.

Since generosity and hospitality are some of the main characteristics of Arabs, Al-Najjar said “Eid is a time when we celebrate and welcome our families more than any other time, so bringing a giant chocolate tray for the entrance of our home is part of the tradition in my family’s home, so everyone can get chocolate on their way out.”




Eid treats, an intense but sweet challenge, Saudi housewives tend to compete in bringing the most appealing and creative chocolate for Eid Al-Fitr and they focus on quality and arrangements. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Eid treats, an intense but sweet challenge, Saudi housewives tend to compete in bringing the most appealing and creative chocolate for Eid Al-Fitr and they focus on quality and arrangements. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

The fancy chocolate is usually served to adults, and children are given a special gift, which could be a sweet treat, toy, or money. “I like to prepare special giveaways for kids with more lively details and colorful wraps,” Al-Najjar said.

Sales for sweet retailers, chocolatiers and confectioners surge during this time of the year and they make sure to not only cater to demand, but also smooth service.

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‘Eid is a time when we celebrate and welcome our families more than any other time, so bringing a giant chocolate tray for the entrance of our home is part of the tradition in my family’s home, so everyone can get chocolate on their way out.’

Duncan Muir, senior director of food, beverage and retail at Bateel, a luxury Saudi brand for dates and chocolates, told Arab News that in light of Ramadan and Eid’s peak shopping periods, an integrated supply chain allows for full control over production and fulfilment processes.




Those who get their Eid chocolate trays done first are considered lucky, as crowds flock to chocolate stores during the last three days of Ramadan. (Supplied)

Those who get their Eid chocolate trays done first are considered lucky, as crowds flock to chocolate stores during the last three days of Ramadan. (Supplied)

“From the sourcing of the finest ingredients to the creation of luxurious products, we oversee every step of the process to ensure seamless operations,” he said. “Our staff is also regularly trained and is well-equipped to manage increased customer demand during busy seasons.”

Muir added: “Additionally, we continue to invest in enhancing our e-commerce platform to ensure smooth accessibility, making it simple for customers to shop from the comfort of their homes.”

Bateel offers a wide range of gift packages that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, including carton boxes, wooden boxes, glass drawers, trays and hampers. Prices vary depending on the selection of the products as well as the type of the package starting from SR180 ($47.99) to SR2,000.

Muir said that during Eid they receive requests for lavish chocolate tray presentations that could potentially be “exuberant in value.”

For Jeddawis, Patchi, and Chocoline are two chocolate brands among a host of others that represent luxury and quality.  Salwa Jawhar, a Jeddah-based housewife, said: “These two brands used to mark Eid in my home, I used to bring Patchi for first-day visitors, it has been indeed the best choice for families in town, and for more than 10 years, we used to rely on Chocoline for Eid and other seasonal occasions.”

Chocoline is a 25-year old well-known Saudi chocolate brand with branches all over the Kingdom, providing chocolates and Eid-themed items. It has  always been one of Jeddawis’ go-to chocolate brands. Neama Fadhel, another Jeddah-based housewife, said: “I thought of trying a new chocolate brand for this Eid but it is a bit risky, I like to stick to what I am used to.”

Those who get their Eid chocolate trays done first are considered lucky, as crowds flock to chocolate stores during the last three days of Ramadan.

“Over the past eight years of my marriage, Chocoline has been the highlight of our Eid preparation. My husband and I make sure to get our serving trays filled early to make sure we receive them before the 29th day of Ramadan before everything gets crazy,”  Fadhel said.

The Italian gourmet chocolate manufacturer Venchi is another luxurious brand that Jeddah’s residents appreciate for its deluxe taste, despite its high price, which starts from SR590 per kilogram. Besides its attractive wrapping and pleasant packaging, Venchi chocolate uses only olive oil, which is considered healthier and safer for the body. Venchi chocolate is also “gluten-free and low in sugar,” said Hussain Attal, manager of the Venchi Tahlia branch in Jeddah.

A distinctive collection of trays available in Venchi are composed of wooden dishes, crystal trays, seashell trays, boxes, and giveaways.

“During Eid, buyers pay special attention to all proportions of dark chocolate mixes for example, 60 percent or 75 percent, and we also have dark chocolate bars with 10 percent pure cocoa,” Attal added. “Also biscuit, pistachio, hazelnuts and caramel, and caviar fillings are on demand.


King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday

King Faisal Prize was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979. (Supplied)
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King Faisal Prize to announce 2025 winners on Wednesday

  • Selection committees start meetings to select winners in Islamic studies, Arabic language & literature, medicine and science

RIYADH: The names of the King Faisal Prize winners for 2025 will be announced on Jan. 8 in Riyadh.

Ahead of the event, specialized selection committees for the prize’s four categories — Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine and science — convened at the prize’s headquarters starting Monday, the General Secretariat of King Faisal Prize said.

Deliberations will continue through Jan. 8, it added.

The General Secretariat had previously announced the themes for the KFP 2025: Islamic studies focuses on Studies of Archaeology in the Arabian Peninsula, Arabic language and literature explores Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature, medicine highlights Cellular Therapy and Science centers on Physics.

Nominations for the prize are accepted by universities, research centers and scientific institutions, ensuring that nominees meet rigorous criteria.

Candidates must be living, and their work must already be published, intellectually impactful and beneficial to humanity’s progress. Nominations from individuals or political groups are not accepted, the secretariat said.

This year, the selection committees include prominent experts, scholars and specialists from 16 different countries. The evaluation process adheres to the highest standards of integrity.

The announcement of the winners will be made by the General Secretariat on Jan. 8 at 8:00 p.m. during a ceremony at the Prince Sultan Grand Hall in the Al-Faisaliah Center, Riyadh.

The KFP was established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1977 and was granted for the first time in 1979.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Blinken during call

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. (File/AFP)
Updated 28 min 57 sec ago
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Blinken during call

  • Blinken called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office during a visit to South Korea on Monday

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed regional developments and efforts made with regard to them during a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.

Blinken called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office during a visit to South Korea on Monday.

“We very much want to bring this over the finish line in the next two weeks, the time we have remaining,” Blinken told a news conference.


Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom

Updated 06 January 2025
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Saudi minister of Islamic affairs meets Palestinian ambassador to the Kingdom

  • Mazen Ghoneim praised Saudi authorities for their services to Muslims worldwide

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh received the newly appointed Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in his office on Monday in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Sheikh discussed the ministry’s programs in service of Palestinian pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.

Ghoneim praised the Saudi authorities for their services to all Muslims worldwide.

He highlighted the generous program that hosts the family members of Palestinian martyrs, enabling them to perform Hajj with ease.


Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism

The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival highlights the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product. (SPA)
Updated 06 January 2025
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Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism

  • Event showcases Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually

RIYADH: The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival offers an engaging experience, highlighting the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product.

Held at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until Jan. 12, the event showcases the Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.

The festival features 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies offering high-quality olive oil, table olives, and related products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In addition to competitive pricing, all products meet strict food safety standards, having undergone rigorous testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory.

Seven analyses — acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical content, oil blending, taste, and authenticity — ensure the products’ quality. Those that pass receive a certification label for consumer confidence, the SPA added.

The festival has also become a key tourism and economic event for both the Kingdom and Al-Jouf region, attracting significant interest, visitors, and investment.

It also supports families in cottage industries, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by offering spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer reach.

Additionally, the festival celebrates Saudi heritage through folk art performances, the Saudi Ardah, traditional fashion, Sadu weaving, plastic arts, poetry, and cultural evenings.


Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

Updated 06 January 2025
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Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.

On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.

The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.

A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.

The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.

The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.

The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.