Food is an important part of cultural and religious celebrations around the world. Family and friends gather around food to celebrate, and oftentimes certain foods have symbolic significance. Ramadan is unique in that it is both the absence and presence of food, as well as the inclusion of certain foods, that all carry symbolic meaning. Indeed Ramadan is both a time for fasting and feasting.
Fasting is an act meant to teach gratitude and compassion by reminding oneself of the less fortunate. The most symbolic food of Ramadan is the date, eaten to break the fast and prepare for the gathering of family and friends during iftar, the evening meal. There are two reasons why the fast is broken with dates. The first is spiritual; it is how the Prophet Mohammad broke the fast, thus out of respect for this tradition, Muslims do the same. The second is practical; dates have a high natural sugar content so they help restore low blood sugar levels after a long day of fasting and provide a much needed energy boost. Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion that marks the end of Ramadan, and it is a time for feasting. Eid celebrations include rich and hearty main dishes with slow-cooked meat, earthy grains, refreshing salads, and of course endless amounts of sweets.
As always, CrACKLES has you covered for Ramadan! Whether it’s our glazed Ramadan donuts, sprinkled with golden crescent stars and moons that evoke Ramadan nights, or our crescent moon, drizzled with date syrup for an added rich, smooth, nutritious (and symbolic!) taste, our sweets make a perfect addition to any iftar or Eid dessert table.
Wishing everyone a blessed and happy Ramadan.
- the CrACKLES team -
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