Tours to Egypt are very popular. And this is not surprising: the hot sun, the transparent sea with colorful fish, beautiful beaches, delicious food, unusual souvenirs ...
To fully understand the culture of Egypt, you must plunge into all the charms of this country!
What to buy cheap?
What can you buy in Egypt at a good price?
- Jewelry. The fineness of gold in Egypt is higher than in Russia. Silver is used as impurities, not copper, as in our country. You can buy gold in Egypt without any problems!
- Silver. The quality is pretty good, here you can pick up original products.
- Camel blanket. It can be bought in any market for ridiculous money. Pay attention to camel leather products, because what to buy in Egypt (Hurghada is no exception), if not something related to camels!
- Incense sticks - for fans of specific smells. Price per pack - $ 1!
- Medication. They are cheaper, better and more reliable than ours. Many people wonder what kind of medicine to buy in Egypt? Absolutely anything - from vitamins to potent remedies. Just read the names and instructions in advance.
- Clock. In Egypt, buying equipment is much simpler, moreover, it is cheaper.
What to buy in Egypt: enjoy local cuisine
But do you know that Egypt is famous not only for its ancient architectural monuments, rich culture and not so long ago revolution, but also great food? Egyptian cuisine is a symbiosis of various civilizations that existed on the territory of this mysterious country throughout its history. In no other place will you have the opportunity to try such an amazing combination of many cultures in one dish! Therefore, do not hesitate for a long time what to buy in Egypt, and do not spare money, but try and enjoy!
The most popular traditional dishes of Egypt
They can feast on the spot, planning to repeat the original recipes at home, or you can eat something tasty and buy a gift for loved ones.
Gibna Domati
This is a white soft cheese, one of the types of cheese, which is produced in the port city of Damietta. Traditionally, it is prepared from buffalo milk, but cow is often added here. This is the most common type of cheese in Egypt. It is also part of many dishes, for example, such as sambus - fried thin puff pastries with cheese filling - or mashed potatoes with cheese. Cheese "Gibna Domati" ripens for 1-3 years in large tin cans. Most Egyptian families are proud of the number of cans and their shelf life. As the Egyptians themselves say, the longer the cheese matures, the tastier it becomes.
Kushari
This vegetarian dish is national in Egypt. If you ask a seasoned tourist what to buy in Egypt, reviews about Kushari will definitely be the most flattering! The dish is a pasta seasoned with tomato sauce, to which is added rice, lentils, garlic, chickpeas, as well as caramelized onions. This dish has become a very popular lunch food, and it is not difficult to get it on many Egyptian streets. Interestingly, Kushari is not a dish of Egyptian origin, because pasta, for example, was delivered from Italy, tomatoes were imported from Latin America, and Asian rice was used. But the Egyptians decided to mix it all up. Thus, the result is a new dish - tasty and hearty.
Fatta
This delicacy is considered Nubian. The combination of rice and puff bread is served with meat sauce with garlic and vinegar. In addition to all - large pieces of fried beef and eggs. Fatta is customary to cook in honor of the birth of the firstborn, as well as in other Muslim and Christian holidays. This dish is high-calorie, so during the post it is not cooked.
Colocasia soup
Colocasia, or taro, is a plant that came from Southeast Asia. Tubers that are inedible in raw form are peeled and boiled in meat broth, seasoned with garlic and coriander. When ready, the tubers are crushed in a soup puree. This dish is served on the occasion of the Coptic Christian Epiphany.
Full Medames
This dish consists of beans. It is served with vegetable oil, and seasoned with garlic and lemon juice. Full Medames is very popular in Egypt. It was prepared in the time of the pharaohs. From the Coptic language, the word medames means buried. And indeed, initially this dish was prepared differently: in a hot sand or coals "hid" a pot of beans. They traditionally eat it with bread, but can be supplemented with other products: tomato sauce, butter or eggs.
Dukka
This Egyptian dish is used as a supplement and is used with tortillas or vegetables. Dukka is a mix of herbs, seasonings and nuts. These include: cumin, coriander, mint, sesame and salt. Cook it at home, and each Egyptian family has its own secret cooking. "Dukka" in Arabic means "crush." That’s how they cook it.
Mulukia
Mulukia is a dish that consists of the leaves of a jute plant. They are boiled with meat, for example, chicken, rabbit or beef, adding garlic and coriander. Served with rice or bread.
Fesik
This is a traditional dish that is prepared only in honor of the holiday of Sham al-Nessim. Celebrate it in the spring. Fesik is a fermented salted and dried mullet. Most often it is cooked by a special person - fasan. If the fesik is improperly prepared, then they can be poisoned. It is stored in glass jars with thick glass. Since the fish has a very strong aroma, the jars are tightly closed with lids. This dish is served with bread and onions, sprinkled with lemon.
Halva
This delicious sweetness is prepared not only in the Middle East, but also in Egypt. Here it consists of sesame paste. Pistachio, almond and pine nuts are used as additives. Halva is not only eaten in its purest form. Sac balance, for example. This is a mixture of halva with honey and whipped cream. It turns out that halva can withstand a fairly high temperature and not deteriorate.
Kunafa
This Egyptian delicacy is made from thin noodles. The batter, cadaif, is applied in a thin layer to the pan, roasted until it becomes crispy. After that add oil, wrap the creamy filling with nuts, then bake. Served with fruit syrup.
Buy fruits
What to buy in Egypt, if not fruit? This is something special! The delta off the coast of the Nile is so fertile that no fertilizers are needed! Therefore, Egyptian fruits and berries are super-ecological.
Each fruit has its own season:
- the end of January-April - strawberries / $ 1 per 1 kilogram;
- April-June - peaches / $ 1;
- June-September - mango / $ 3-4;
- round summer - figs / $ 1.5;
- whole year - bananas and oranges / up to $ 0.5;
- July-September - dates / $ 0.5.
You can buy melons and watermelons, but they are usually tasteless, although very juicy. Tip: fruits should be bought only at the bazaar.
Can I bring Egyptian fruits home?
As for the export of fruits from Egypt, the Egyptians do not mind that you buy fruit in their country. And according to Russian laws, the import of fruits into the country is prohibited,
as this may contribute to the entry of pests into the territory of the state. Although, unfortunately, few tourists understand this .
National souvenirs
If you are already in this country, then you simply must buy traditional souvenirs! What can I buy in Egypt?
Cotton
The well-known Egyptian cotton is very high-quality: T-shirts, dresses, towels and other products are practically “wear-free”!
Papyrus
Papyrus is a useless thing, but beautiful, and there is a place for it in the home interior. If you want to get not a fake, but a quality product, make a purchase at the Institute of Papyrus in Cairo. This thing is not worth buying from street vendors. Distinguishing a real papyrus from a fake is very simple. The present is made from stems of papyrus, so it can be rolled up without difficulty. Fakes are made from palm leaves or rice paper. Remember: self-respecting papyrus stores issue a certificate that the purchased product is genuine. A stamped, not very high-quality product can be purchased for $ 1. For a handmade papyrus, be prepared to pay at least $ 10 (a medium-sized copy).
Hookah
Hookah is a good gift for both man and woman. The classic option is "shisha." Depending on the material used for this souvenir, size and place of sale, the price of a hookah varies from 60 to 600 Egyptian pounds ($ 80-800).
Tobacco for hookah
It should be noted that fresh tobacco should be wet and sticky. The best varieties are Nakhla and Al Fakher. Packaging must be airtight. And also be sure to check the shelf life. As for the taste - this is already for everybody.
So, you are going to Egypt (Hurghada). What else can you buy in order to please yourself and your loved ones?
- Carpets Artistic, made from natural camel hair, handmade ... In a word, a work of art! They also offer excellent cow at a low price - $ 100-150.
- Cafe Maryam is a souvenir in the form of dry grass, which brings good luck in business. After standing for several days in the water, a dry bunch will bloom with blue flowers!
- The scarab beetle is a symbol of Egypt. It is believed that it brings good luck, happiness and harmony. They make souvenirs from different materials, but most often they are gold or silver, from onyx or turquoise.
- Coffee - ground and with cardamom. Excellent quality, and it costs less than in Russia. You need to buy at retail stores. Choose a type of coffee, grind the grains into fine powder and add spices.
- Magnetik. Well, of course! Where without him!
- Sweets. Halva, kunaf, bassbus, baklava, dates in chocolate, kakhk, turkish delight - all in beautiful boxes. It is simply impossible to resist!
- Spice. Fragrant oriental spices will give your dish a taste of Egypt. Get the Baharat spice mix. Do not forget to buy saffron, turmeric, stone.
- Tea. Bright red hibiscus with a sour taste. Hibiscus flowers, or Sudanese roses, will benefit by cleansing the blood and regulating blood pressure.
This list can be continued indefinitely ... Therefore, when planning a trip, ask your friends and acquaintances who have already visited the Nile Valley: why did they bring such interesting things and what can you buy in Egypt?