Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic culture Worldwide. For Muslims, it is a time for prayers, spiritual growth, and becoming closer to Allah and their loved ones; it is also the month when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Eid al Fitr (Holiday of Breaking the Fast) is, often shortened to “Eid,” a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan that is one to three days depending on the country. Eid is usually celebrated with families and friends in a community with prayer (salat), parties, preparing, and enjoying special foods.

There are more than 2 billion Muslims worldwide, and their daily rituals are altered during Ramadan. Interestingly, this fasting period increases people’s food-purchasing desire. According to an HLB survey, Ramadan is all about food, the food consumption exceeds the typical consumption pattern, and the food bills increase by 50-100% during this time. This accounts for around 15% of their annual expenditure on food in just a single month. According to Meta Blueprint, advanced planning can contribute to a successful Ramadan, and approximately 51% of the people start preparing for their purchases at least 2-3 weeks before the holiday. Many food businesses begin to stock up months before Ramadan begins to have inventory for the early shoppers and provide products through the peak season.

During Ramadan, meals must be certified Halal foods; Haram foods are not permitted for Muslims to consume. This includes pork, and alcohol, which are strictly avoided. However, the Hanafi from Turkey, Syria, and other countries also do not include shrimp, crab, and other shellfish; hence it is also important for food manufacturers to be aware of these different regional and cultural restrictions.

During Ramadan, two terms are common throughout the month: “suhoor,” which refers to a pre-dawn meal consumed by Muslims before starting the day’s fast. It is essential to have a well-balanced, nutritious Suhoor with adequate liquid intake to have enough energy for the day and prevent discomfort. Dates are an ideal fruit, and soups are also very comforting. Many people also enjoy traditional foods such as Bolani (Afghan stuffed flatbread), Manakeesh (Lebanese flatbread), Kibbeh (Bulgur wheat mixed meatballs), cheeses, eggs, white meat, and other complex carbohydrates.

The second is “Iftar,” which means “breakfast;” it is the meal served at the end of the day during Ramadan (It is also known as Buka Puasa in Indonesia). Muslims usually break the fast with dates, water, or a yogurt drink; then, they will enjoy a full-course meal, which may include various specialty cuisines such as Sambousek (Lebanese turnovers), Ketupat (Indonesian Rice Cake cooked in a woven leaf container), Dahi Vada(Fritters soaked in yogurt sauce), Manti (Turkish Dumplings), and Spring Rolls.

Sweet treats such as buttery Maamoul (filled Shortbread Cookies), Baklava (Layered Pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey), Qatayef (an Arab sweet dumpling filled with cream or nuts and served during Ramadan), and Nastar (Indonesian Pineapple Tarts) are great ways to indulge oneself during the month of Fasting.

According to HLB, dates, nuts, and dairy products are the highest consumed foods during Ramadan. This month, the consumption of bread, chicken, and dried fruits increased by 63%, 66.5%, and 25%, respectively compared to the rest of the year. Dates are one of the essential foods during Ramadan, and more than 100 billion pieces of dates are consumed during this time of the year; many types of Date Bars and Date Cookies are also popular during this time.

The rise of plant-based diets worldwide has also influenced the food trends during Ramadan. Falafel and Pakora (Indian Vegetable Fritters) are popular traditional vegan dishes. Many other food recipes use vegetable oils, reduced oil, and less sugar or replace refined flour with whole wheat or grain flour to create products that can prolong satiety. Plant-based meat alternatives help make the dinner table more inviting and inclusive for vegans and vegetarians. ANKO has a client in India that received large orders for vegetarian Samosas during Ramadan, primarily catering to family gatherings. This client used ANKO’s SRP Automatic Samosa Pastry Sheet Machine to produce Samosas and provided many families with delicious foods during the celebrations.

ANKO is experienced in customizing products and recipe designs for our clients; our professional team can realize your creative ideas and produce delicious food products with our machinery. ANKO’s HLT-700 Series Multipurpose Filling and Forming Machine can produce Samosas and Sambousek in various sizes and patterns. ANKO’s SD-97 Series Automatic Encrusting and Forming Machine can produce Kibbeh, Falafel, and Date Bars. With an additional STA-360 Automatic Stamping and Aligning Machine, it can produce delightful Mammouls. ANKO can provide the best tools for creating delicious specialty food products for everyone during Ramadan.

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