Oriental sweets are one of the most attractive things that attract people in different countries, especially on official occasions and special occasions, as they are one of the signs of generosity and generosity, and we find that Kanafeh with Sour Cream One of the most popular desserts, especially during Ramadan and all year round, is the Kunafa One of the most important Arabic dessert dishes that are often emphasised.

Naming Kanafeh

The name Kunafa is an Arabic word derived from the word kanaf, which means to surround something, and this is due to the fact that it is always surrounded by the filling of cream, nuts, mangoes and other different fillings. 

History and Origin of Kunafa

Most accounts suggest that Kunafa was discovered during the reign of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan at the time of his governorship of the Levant.He recounts that he was the first person to eat it, and it was at the time of Suhoor during the holy month of Ramadan. This is because Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan was very hungry and thirsty during the fasting hours.Therefore, Kanafeh was a prescription given to him by Muhammad ibn Athal, the doctor, to prevent him from feeling hungry and thirsty. Kunafa was a dessert made especially for Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, which is why it was initially called "Muawiya's Kunafa". 

Kunafa during the Fatimid era

Kunafa became very famous and widespread during the Fatimid era and was a dessert that was eaten throughout the year, and those who did not eat it throughout the year ate it specifically in the month of Ramadan, and since then Kunafa has been famous and closely associated with the month of Ramadan, and Kunafa was also known in the Ayyubid, Mamluk, Fatimid and Turkish eras. 

 Kunafa during the reign of Muhammad Ali

The manufacture of kunafa stopped for a while during the Fatimid era until Muhammad Ali took over Egypt, according to the accounts of old history professors, when Muhammad Ali went to the great grandfather of Hajj Atris, who was known as the most famous kunafa in Cairo in the Sayeda Zeinab area and was called (Hajj Arafa), and he started making it and bringing it back again.

The old way of making kunafa

Making kunafa in the past differed from the way it is made today. In the past, they used physical cones through which the dough could drip onto a flat sheet. They are levelled by placing the sheet over charcoal or firewood. Some people would go to the kunafa maker with their own ghee and sugar to make it for them.

Types of kunafa

Brominated Kunafa: And it is the one in which it is used Kunafa In the form divided into long-shaped pieces, and it has the character of the twine and the inner filling.Soft Kanafeh: And it is that kunafa that has soft threads, meaning that its dough is always soft to the touch. It consists of fine semolina, ground sugar and water.Coarse kunafa: The kunafa dough used in it is long and somewhat rough in texture.Mixed Kanafeh : Kunafa is the one that combines both fine and coarse kunafa and has a different flavour.

Popular Kunafa Shapes

Kanafeh chopped with cream:Kunafa is a soft and newly popular knafeh in the form of thick fingers filled with cream and sometimes pistachios. It consists of hair-shaped kunafa, powdered milk, starch, caster sugar, vanilla, cream, flour and ghee.When the ingredients are blended together, you can savour the most beautiful and delicious desserts.Nabulsi Kanafeh: It is one of the most delicious types of kunafa and was first known to be made in Palestine. It then spread to the rest of the countries, and is considered to have the same ingredients as Kunafa with cream. But without the cream and with the addition of dessert cheese.Kanafeh with mangoes:It is one of the most popular types of kunafa that has been popularised in recent times and has been closely associated with the holy month of Ramadan as a gift. When going to a dinner party or serving it to guests at home.It has a distinctive and excellent flavour, consisting of kunafa, sugar, mango juice, mango chunks, in addition to the basic ingredients ghee, flour and vanilla.Chocolate Kanafeh (Nutella):It is a dessert that helps to fill you up quickly and dramatically, due to the chocolate and the heaviness of the filling.But it's one of the tastiest flavours you can feel.It consists of regular chocolate or Nutella in addition to the kunafa itself, ghee, sugar, flour, vanilla and the usual ingredients.The shapes and methods of making kunafa are so varied that they reach nearly 100 different shapes and methods. However, it is based on the basic kunafa ingredients with the addition of extra ingredients that make it different and new.At the end of the day, kunafa with cream is the lightest, tastiest and best tasting kunafa. She takes you into her own world and makes you fall in love with her.