Issue 002 Jan 2022
Sweet talk
Spring Special
Letter from Farhi HQ
Welcome to the fourth issue of Sweet Talk. With spring finally well under way, our focus for this issue has turned to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In this issue, we explore the tradition of fasting and how it is broken in countries around the world. We’ve also rounded up interesting rituals that are unique to certain countries, such as the cannons of Lebanon and why South African Muslims must wait for the eyes of a maan kyker to declare the end of Ramadan. Here at Rita Farhi, we have everything you need for both Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, from delicious dates to break your fast to wonderful gifts to send your loved ones. Visit pages 6-7 for our Ramadan products and you’ll find our selection of Eid al Fitr gifts on p8-9.
Every issue we bring you a delightful recipe to try at home, using our delicious Rita Farhi products. For issue four, we’re bringing you a simple yet incredibly moreish nut brittle, perfect for sharing… or keeping all to yourself! And finally, with Allergy Awareness Week starting at the end of April, we explore the products from Rita Farhi that are allergen friendly. Whether you’re dairyfree, vegetarian or vegan, we will always have something sumptuous for your consumption. We hope you enjoy this issue and that you’ll join us for issue five, our summer special soon.
The Rita Farhi Story Rita Farhi is a family business selling luxury chocolate covered fruits and nuts. Tracing their roots to Turkey and the wider Mediterranean, Farhi is named after their beloved family matriarch, Rita. Steeped in heritage, Farhi fuses traditional recipes with modern techniques, to create luxurious, exquisite, food items that are beautifully presented and ready to gift. With an importance placed on ingredients provenance, Farhi’s chocolate covered fruits and nuts use produce from all over the world. From hand-picked Bolivian Brazil nuts to juicy Spanish oranges, and plump Chilean raisins to sun-kissed Californian almonds, all of which are then dipped or enrobed in rich Belgian chocolate for sweet treats that are carefully and lovingly crafted, so that you can enjoy and gift luxury in every box.
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Whatever the occasion, let the magic of Rita Farhi enhance your celebration.
Letter from Farhi HQ..................................................................... 2 Break-Fast Traditions................................................................... 4 Ramadan Traditions from around the world.......................... 5 Ramadan at Rita Farhi.............................................................. 6-7 Eid al-Ftir at Rita Farhi............................................................. 8-9 Mixed Nut Brittle Recipe........................................................ 10-11 Dates for your Diary.................................................................... 12 Thank a Teacher Day.................................................................. 13 Next Issue........................................................................................14
Break-Fast Traditions
It is tradition to break fast during Ramadan with three dates. The intensely sweet fruit is high in fibre, along with potassium, magnesium and vitamin B-6, making it the perfect energy boosting food after a day of abstaining. However, alongside this traditional food, many countries also have their own regionally specific delicious meals for iftar.
BANGLADESH
In Bangladesh, a typical Ramadan meal is Beguni – a dish made of golden battered and fried eggplant slices served over rice.
INDIA
Keema Samosas are a popular treat – filo pastry triangles are filled with minced mutton and fragrant spices for a delicious and filling meal. Another popular dish is Dahi Vada, lentil dumplings soaked in a spiced yoghurt sauce.
NORTH AFRICA
At Ramadan tables across North Africa a
popular dish is Ful Medammes. Similar to hummus in texture, it is made from fava bean puree and flavoured with garlic, olive oil and tahini.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghani Bolani is a popular dish in Afghanistan. Similar to Indian paratha, this stuffed flatbread contains potatoes, onions and herbs and is either baked or fried.
MEDITERRANEAN
In many Mediterranean countries, the sweet staple of Baklava is enjoyed after sundown. The delicate filo pastry is filled with nuts and honey
EGYPTIAN
This much loved Egyptian bread pudding’s name literally meant ‘Mother of Ali’ in Arabic. Made of bread or filo dough, cream, milk, nuts and cinnamon gets a festive update with powdered sugar, coconut flakes and raisins for iftar.
Ramadan Traditions from around the world While the principles of Ramadan remain the same across the globe, many countries have their own traditions
1
Lebanon
In many countries across the Middle East, cannons are fired every day to signal the end of the day’s fast. The tradition, known as midfa al iftar, if thought to have originated in Egypt over 200 years ago when the Ottoman ruler Khosh Qadam accidentally fired a cannon while testing it at sunset. The sound travelled through all of Cairo, with many citizens thanking him for his innovation. At the behest of his daughter Haja Fatma, it was made a tradition. Whilst the tradition was almost lost during the ‘80s and ‘90s –it has thankfully been revived .
2
Indonesia
Across Indonesia, Muslims conduct different rituals in order to ‘cleanse’ themselves before the start of Ramadan. For Javanese Muslims, this is known as padusan. They will plunge themselves into springs, lakes or swimming pools, soaking their bodies from head to toe.
3
UAE
Drawing comparisons to the Western tradition of Hallowe’en, haq al laila takes place on the 15th of sha’ban, the month before Ramadan. Across several countries in the Gulf, children dress in bright coloured clothes and visit neighbours, gathering sweets and nuts while singing traditional songs. In the UAE, this celebration is considered integral to Emirati national identity.
4
South Africa
The end of Ramadan is officially marked by the first sighting of the crescent moon but in South Africa, it must be sighted by the naked eye of the maan kykers (Afrikaans for moon watchers), who are appointed by South Africa’s Muslim Judicial Council. They stand along the shore at Sea Point Promenade, Three Anchor Bay or atop Signal Hill and only once they have seen the moon will they officially confirm to the community that Eid al-Fitr has begun.
5
Egypt
The people of Egypt welcome Ramadan with colourful and intricate lanterns known as fanous, which symbolise unity and joy. While it is more cultural than religious, this tradition has become strongly associated with Ramadan in the country. During the holy month, children walk the streets with their lanterns, singing and asking for sweets and gifts.
In focus:
Ramadan at Farhi At Rita Farhi, we have everything you need to make sure that Ramadan is a special moment for our customers. From delicious dates to break your fast to our chic advent calendar, there is something for all.
Almond Nougat Luxury Gift Jar Made with a traditional recipe, our nougat is lovingly made with all-natural ingredients to create a deliciously chewy, crunchy treat. Presented in a stylish gift jar, our gourmet nougat will be a warmly welcomed gift £17.50
Medjool Date Gift Box Break your daily fast with our delicious dates. Our gorgeous Medjool date gift boxes come filled with Belgian chocolate-covered and nut stuffed dates – the hardest choice will be which to pick first. Our delectable date gift boxes also come in a vegan variety for those who are dairy free. £35 each.
Nut Selection Box Our Caramelised Nuts Selection Box is filled with five different delicious, flavoured nuts. Featuring roasted cashew nuts, honey coated almonds and chilli sprinkled peanuts, this mouthwatering selection box is filled with moreish high protein snacking. £35
Ramadan Advent Calendar Our Ramadan Advent calendar is the perfect way to countdown Ramadan. The traditional hexagonal design is filled with our delicious crunchy hazelnut pralines wrapped in luxury foiling. This advent calendar definitely isn’t just for children! £20.00
In focus:
Eid al-Fitr at Farhi When it comes to Eid al-Fitr, Rita Farhi has all of the delicious luxury gifting you need to help you celebrate.
Bonbonnière Our hand crafted and individually painted Bonbonnières are the ultimate gift. Choose from four delicious chocolate covered fillings – crystallised ginger, raisins, almonds or coffee beans. Available in two sizes: small £17.50 / large £25
Luxury Hamper Available in both our vibrant signature red or luxurious gold packaging, The Luxury Hamper makes the perfect Eid gift for loved ones. It contains a sumptuous selection of all of your Rita Farhi favourites, including chocolatecovered dates, sugared almonds and dark chocolate pistachios plus much more. £100
Pâte de Fruit Our gorgeous jewel coloured Pâte de Fruit will make a beautiful AND delicious centre piece for celebrations. Not only are there five fruity flavours to choose from (strawberry, apricot, raspberry, mango and pear) but our Pâte de Fruit is also suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, making it the ideal delectable gift for all to enjoy. £17.50
Ramadan Nut Selection Roasted to perfection before being covered in a scrumptious caramel, this Luxury Peanut Selection Gift Box features peanuts served two ways. One half is lightly tossed in salt for a perfectly balanced umami flavour while the second half is sprinkled with chilli powder for a snack with a spicy kick. £10.00
Sweet Treats
Mixed Nut Brittle Serves: 8 | Prep time: Ingredients: - Unsalted butter, softened, for baking sheet - 2 cups sugar - Pinch of salt - 1 1/2 cups Rita Farhi mixed nuts from the nut selection - Vegetable oil, for spatula
Method:
Step 1: Butter a rimmed baking sheet; set aside. Step 2: Stir together sugar, 1/2 cup water, and the salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over high heat, without stirring, until sugar begins to melt and turn golden, about 3
If you love a mix of sweet and savoury, our Mixed Nut Brittle will sate your sweet tooth AND give a salty kick to this delicious snack. Serve as an accompaniment to tea or coffee.
minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has melted and mixture turns golden amber, about 10 minutes. Step 3: Remove pan from heat. Stir in your selected Rita Farhi nuts. Immediately pour the mixture onto the buttered baking sheet. Step 4: Quickly spread mixture to 1/2 inch thick using an oiled metal spatula. Step 5: Let cool it completely, about 15 minutes. Once it has set, break the brittle into pieces. Your brittle can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Try adding our chilli powder sprinkled peanuts for a spicy kick!
Adapted from Martha Stewart
Diary Dates 2nd April
3rd April
Ramadan Starts
Find a Rainbow Day
7th April
15th April
World Health Day
Good Friday
17th April
1st May
3rd May
5th May
Easter Sunday
End of Ramadan Start of Eid al-Fatir
End of Eid
Thank a Teacher Day
10th May National Vegetarian Week Starts
17th May World Baking Day
Thank a Teacher Day
Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Bonbonniere, from £15
Pâte de Fruit, £17.50
Date selection box, £35
Assorted Fruit Jellies (set of 10), £25
Wasabi and Seaweed Peanuts Gift Jar, £12.50
Belgian Dark Chocolate Coated Pistachios, £17.50
T
his year, National Thank A Teacher Day falls on May 26th. Celebrating schools, colleges, teachers and educational support staff, the day is a way of saying thank you to those who are helping our children achieve their true potential. So why not show your appreciation with a gorgeous gift from Rita Farhi? Whether you choose a delicious fruity confection in the shape of our jewelled Pate de Fruit, Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans or perhaps one of our beautiful hand painted Bonbonnieres, they’re sure to love a luxury gift as a token of your gratitude for everything they do.
Sugared Almonds, from £10
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Sweet talk
Summer Editon
