MANAMA // With its rich history of making a local version of traditional halwa, the Showaiter family name has become synonymous with the delicacy in Bahrain.
This year, the family-owned sweet company hopes to spread its success to the UAE by opening a factory and stores around the country before Eid al Fitr.
Bahraini halwa is a direct descendant of the Omani version, introduced to the local cuisine more than 90 years ago following visits by Bahraini pearl divers and fishermen to Muscat.
The family modified the recipe to create a delicious local variety and then went on to establish a halwa dynasty which earned recognition beyond the Gulf.
More than 25 cousins from the Showaiter family have been operating the chain of sweet shops across Bahrain, with some having already expanded into neighbouring countries while others have established a presence on the internet to serve international customers.
The dish, an integral part of the local hospitality, is served along with traditional Arabic coffee. Halwa is also a key feature of the Bahraini dessert menu during the three days of Eid that follow the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on August 21.
Sales of the dessert usually drop during Ramadan, but ahead of Eid, and throughout the year, the shop owners report high sales driven by local customers and tourists alike.
The jelly-like sweet, which is made from sugar, corn starch, saffron and nuts, is locally known as halwa Showaiter - derived from the family name and its chain of stores - but regionally and internationally the sweet is known as Bahraini halwa.
Foad Mohammed, a manager for Jamal Showaiter Sweets - the largest of the 10 outlets operating across Bahrain - said that the opening of a factory in Al Ain was to support shops in two UAE malls, one in the Al Ain Mall and one that opened this week in Bawadi Mall in Al Ain.
The move, according to Mr Mohammed, is part of an effort to introduce Bahraini halwa to the UAE on a large scale.
"This is only the beginning as we hope to cover the whole of the UAE in coming years as we expand," he said.
"There are plans to take part in various cultural events in the UAE, in addition to the direct marketing of the stores. That is why we opened our second shop ahead of Eid."
He added that they had already put in requests with local authorities to open stands and shops during the various shopping and cultural events expected to take place in the UAE in the coming months, as part of that drive.
"The key is maintaining the high quality and introducing new products. That is what helped us survive the strong competition that has come about in recent years," Mr Mohammed added.
The chain, run by Jamal Showaiter, a descendant of the family's great grandfather, Hasan Showaiter, has in recent years introduced halwa types with registered trademarks, in addition to pushing ahead with efforts to introduce varieties for health conscious customers.
In addition to offering the traditional halwa - which comes in green and red - most of the chains also offer other regional sweets like sambosa, hardha, zelabiya, nashab and Arabic and Turkish coffee as well as tonic drinks.
mmahdi@thenational.ae
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 100 ) US$175,000 1,200m
Winner: Baccarat, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (78-94) $60,000 1,800m
Winner: Baroot, Christophe Soumillon, Mike de Kock
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 $200,000 1,600m
Winner: Heavy Metal, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.15pm: Handicap (95-108) $125,000 1,200m
Winner: Yalta, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 $200,000 1,800m
Winner: Promising Run, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,400m
Winner: Oh This Is Us, Tom Marquand, Richard Hannon
SPECS
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ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
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Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4