1-century old Egyptian dessert: Om Ali’s story
- Sameh Hani
- 27 May, 2022
Om Ali dessert is as deeply rooted in Egypt’s history as its historical events are, it's still post-iftar sweet cravings during the holy month of Ramadan. It was first announced in the 1240s as that had marked one century since the defeat of Shajar Al Durr. According to Professor Ahmed Zaem, head of the historical department at Fayoum University, the story of Um Ali dessert goes back to Shajar Al Durr, who was able to rule Egypt for 80 days in difficult situations after the death of her husband, Najm al-Din Ayoub, during the country’s combat against the Seventh Crusade led by King Louis of France. Zaem added that after Ezz Eldein Aybak died, Shajar Al-Durr announced that he died suddenly during the night, but the "Mamluks" did not believe her and arrested her. Zaem mentioned that shortly after, Aybak’s wife, “Umm Ali,” ordered her maidservants to beat Shajar Al-Durr with “slippers” until death and gave her son Ali the rule of Egypt. Celebrating Shajar Al Durr's death, Umm Ali ordered her maidservants to mix milk and flour with sugar and nuts, in the "Umm Ali" dish, and serve it to people, and since that time, it became a famous dish in Egyptian cuisine, and from it to the Arab world’s dessert tables. El-Imam Ali Omda, a Nutritionist, mentioned that Om Ali dessert is one of the most calorie-rich dishes, a 70-gram serving includes 300 calories. Omda added that Om Ali and all desserts are unhealthy at all and not recommended for diabetics, and also can lead to weight gain easily. Not a traditionally originated Egyptian plate anymore, yet Om Ali has made cross-cultural fans over time. The Italian Agostino Arcon, who resides in New Damietta City, described Om Ali as one of the simplest and most delicious desserts he had ever tasted. The 43-year-old Arcon added, “It’s fascinating and culturally enriching how everything in Egypt, even the desserts has great historical stories“. Like any other Egyptian dish, Om Ali is subject to annual and seasonal trends that make it include new ingredients or even cause some change in its preparation recipe. Maha NourEldein, the owner of the Eastern Desserts shop said that this year they added Nutella chocolate to Oum Ali to make it more tasty and appealing to customers.
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